Best Practices

8 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Restaurant POS Systems in 2025

The restaurant industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, and Point of Sale (POS) systems are at the heart of this evolution. GoTab, a leading Restaurant Commerce Platform (RCP), is transforming how restaurants, breweries, bars, hotels, and other venues operate. By combining cloud-based POS, mobile ordering, payment features, and advanced kitchen display systems (KDS), GoTab helps businesses thrive in a fast-paced environment.

8 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Restaurant POS Systems in 2025

Drawing insights from Nation's Restaurant News, Medium, and FSR Magazine, here are eight trends shaping the POS landscape in 2025 and how GoTab is leading the charge.

1. Cloud-Based Solutions for Seamless Operations

Cloud-based POS systems dominate the market due to their ability to manage multiple locations and functions in real time. As highlighted by Nation's Restaurant News, cloud platforms simplify restaurant operations, especially for expanding chains. GoTab’s cloud-based solution integrates various services while its Open API ensures compatibility with other technologies, enabling restaurants to operate with agility and precision.

2. Integrated On- and Near-Premises Delivery

The delivery boom remains a key driver for restaurant profitability. According to Nation's Restaurant News, brands like Checkers/Rally’s are doubling down on delivery for late-night diners. GoTab’s delivery integration eliminates the need for separate platforms by offering real-time updates and centralized management for on-premises and delivery orders. This trend is set to expand as consumers increasingly expect seamless delivery experiences.

3. Mobile and Handheld POS Systems

As highlighted by FSR Magazine, mobile and handheld POS systems cater to the need for flexible management tools in fast-paced environments. GoTab’s mobile solutions allow managers to oversee menus and inventory remotely while enabling employees to access on-demand pay via mobile apps. This flexibility boosts efficiency, improves employee satisfaction, and helps restaurants retain tech-savvy staff.

4. Enhanced Self-Ordering Experiences

Self-service kiosks and mobile ordering are revolutionizing how diners interact with restaurants. GoTab’s self-ordering technology, which features customizable menus and integrated KDS, addresses the growing consumer preference for convenience and accuracy. According to Medium, self-service options will continue gaining traction as diners value control over their ordering and payment experiences.

5. Advanced POS Hardware for Kitchen Efficiency

POS hardware innovations, such as Intelligent Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), are transforming back-of-house operations. As noted by Nation's Restaurant News, automating tasks with tools like GoTab’s KDS enhances communication, tracks stock levels, and ensures accurate order fulfillment. These advancements free staff to focus more on customer-facing roles, boosting efficiency and guest satisfaction.

6. Personalized Guest Experiences

Personalization is increasingly important in building customer loyalty. Technologies that leverage data, such as GoTab’s zoning and segmentation tools, allow restaurants to offer customized menus, promotions, and experiences. Medium highlights how tailored ordering and payment systems create memorable dining moments that foster repeat visits.

7. Frictionless Payments and Tab Sharing

Frictionless payment systems are becoming the norm, offering intuitive solutions for guests to manage tabs and split bills. Medium points to the rise of peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, making group dining more manageable. GoTab’s tab-sharing and mobile reorder capabilities streamline transactions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable payment experience for diners.

8. POS Systems as the Central Hub for Restaurant Operations

POS systems are evolving into all-encompassing operational hubs. Nation's Restaurant News emphasizes the importance of integration with CRM tools, accounting systems, and third-party delivery platforms. GoTab’s Open API facilitates these integrations, while strategic partnerships with consulting and staffing firms like Over Easy Office (OEO) enhance efficiency. This collaborative approach supports restaurants in scaling effectively.

Balancing Innovation with Operational Goals

As restaurants navigate a dynamic market, GoTab’s innovative features position it as a leader in POS technology. By focusing on cloud-based operations, seamless integrations, and forward-thinking partnerships, GoTab equips businesses with the tools to deliver exceptional guest experiences while optimizing efficiency.

Prepare for the future of restaurant commerce with GoTab’s cutting-edge solutions.

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Situated “in the heart of it all, yet tranquil enough to make you feel away from it all too,” The Limelight Hotel Snowmass offers 99 hotel rooms and 11 residences, as well as footsteps-to-gondola access in winter and summer — right in the middle of Snowmass Base Village.

The Situation

Especially over the last few years, the Limelight Hotels IT team had witnessed a significant shift to contactless technology in the hospitality industry. After evaluating friction points in the guest journey, aligning with modern technology platforms in their restaurant was determined to be an effective way to offer elevated contactless dining experiences to their guests while also evolving their technology platforms to continue to support long-term company goals. Limelight Hotel partnered with GoTab to provide an enhanced on-demand dining experience on par with the brand’s reputation for exceptional guest service.

The Solution

Reducing Staff Touch Points Without Sacrificing Guest Experience

Guests are now able to begin a tab from their room or the property’s restaurant by scanning a QR code, texting a link to friends or family members on the ski slope to add in their orders, then meeting up together at the patio or lodge to enjoy their meal and après ski festivities without interruption. By streamlining tasks like inputting orders and processing payments, this eliminates friction for hotel staff and allows them to focus on delivering renowned guest service for a memorable experience. Since partnering with GoTab, Limelight Snowmass has consistently seen higher check averages and sales.

“We found the Point of Sale platforms we were looking at offered the guest and staff limited opportunities to further reduce touch points or improve the traditional restaurant experience. The GoTab platform enabled the guest to take an active role over the flow of their experience while simultaneously reducing touch points and further streamlining restaurant operations.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

According to the Limelight Hotels team, some of the other platforms that were evaluated were either missing some of the pieces they were looking for, had weak customer support models, or had little willingness to develop integrations to existing hotel platforms already in place. To that end, GoTab integrated with cloud-based platform, Infor. Together, GoTab and Infor are providing dynamic solutions to support central, efficient service across hotel amenities and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“Previously, guests would call down to the restaurant to begin an order from their room or while they were out enjoying the ski slopes. Using GoTab, guests can now place orders from anywhere on the resort, giving them the on-demand service they want without interrupting their day. GoTab empowers us to give control to the guest, reducing touch points and streamlining overall restaurant operations, making Limelight Hotel the resort of choice for Snowmass.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

Since introducing GoTab, The Limelight Hotel has seen a consistent level of upsells and items sold per check resulting in additional revenue capture. They have been able to maintain service levels in their restaurants during periods when there was reduced staffing available without significantly diminishing the guest experience.

The Benefits

Eliminate Phone Orders – Take Orders from the Slopes. Guests can start a tab from their room or on the mountain without interrupting the flow of their day.

Future-Proofed Technologies – Delivering elevated contactless ordering via integration with the Infor hotel management platform.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

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