Guide
Updated 13 November 2026
What is a POS system? A plain guide for restaurants and takeaways
By Arslan Munir
Updated 13 Nov 2026.
In short: POS means point of sale: the place and the system where a customer pays. In a restaurant or takeaway it is the till system your staff use to take an order, take payment, print a kitchen ticket and record the sale. In the UK you will also see EPOS (electronic point of sale), which means the same thing. A POS is not the same as an online ordering system, which is where customers order for themselves.
What does POS stand for?
POS stands for point of sale. The "point of sale" is the moment and place a sale is completed. In a shop that is the till. In a restaurant it is the counter, the table or the phone call where the order is rung up and paid for.
What a POS system is made of
- Software that holds your menu, prices and options and records each sale.
- A screen to enter orders: a till, tablet, computer or phone.
- A receipt or kitchen printer, or a kitchen screen, so the kitchen sees the order.
- A cash drawer, if you take cash.
- A card terminal, if you take card payments at the counter.
How a POS works in a restaurant or takeaway
- A member of staff rings up the order, choosing sizes, extras and notes.
- The order prints in the kitchen or appears on a kitchen screen.
- The customer pays by cash or card, and the sale is recorded with its payment type and VAT rate.
- At the end of the day, the system prints a totals report for the cash-up and your accountant.
POS, EPOS and online ordering: what is the difference?
| Term | What it means | Who places the order |
|---|---|---|
| POS | The till system that takes orders and payment | Your staff |
| EPOS | The same thing, with "electronic" in front; common in UK sales copy | Your staff |
| Online ordering system | A website or app where customers order and pay themselves | The customer |
Many busy kitchens need both. See till or online ordering first to decide which comes first, and restaurant POS systems: prices and options if you are buying.
Where Chefzi fits
Chefzi is online ordering for UK restaurants and takeaways, with 0% commission and plans from £9 a month billed annually (£12 monthly), ex VAT, per location. It also has a browser till on the Pro plan, which is in beta. If you want customers to order directly without paying commission, see online ordering for restaurants and the Chefzi till.
Sources
- Chefzi facts: https://chefzi.co.uk/chefzi-facts (read 13 Nov 2026)
- Chefzi takeaway EPOS versus online ordering guide: https://chefzi.co.uk/guides/takeaway-epos-vs-online-ordering-system-uk (read 12 Nov 2026)
Questions
What does POS stand for?
POS stands for point of sale: the place and system where a customer pays. In a restaurant, it is the till system that takes the order and payment, prints kitchen tickets and records the sale.
What is a POS system in simple terms?
It is a modern till. Staff enter the order on a screen, the kitchen gets the ticket, the customer pays, and the system records the sale and the day's totals. It usually includes a printer, and a cash drawer or card terminal.
Is EPOS the same as POS?
Yes, in practice. EPOS means electronic point of sale, and UK sellers use it interchangeably with POS for the till system that takes orders and payment.
Is a POS system the same as online ordering?
No. A POS is for your staff to ring up orders in the shop or on the phone. An online ordering system is where customers order for themselves, on a website or app. Many restaurants use both.
Do I need a POS system for a small takeaway?
Not always. If most of your orders come from customers on a website or app, start with online ordering. A till helps when handwritten tickets, cash-ups or several staff taking orders cause mistakes.
Does Chefzi have a POS?
Yes, a browser till on the Pro plan, in beta, with kitchen display, split bills, cash drawer and Z reports. It supplies no hardware, and counter card sales go through your own card terminal.