Bakery Cash Register: 9 Key Features & Choosing The Right One

How to Choose a Bakery Cash Register

Opening a successful bakery requires more than just crafting delicious treats. Efficient operations, accurate inventory management, and exceptional customer service are just as important. A modern bakery cash register can serve as the cornerstone of these efforts, helping you streamline processes and deliver an outstanding customer experience.

According to HotelTechReport, 86% of restaurants use point-of-sale (POS) data to power loyalty programs, discounting strategies, and marketing campaigns, while 71% leverage POS insights to optimize menus, simplify payments, and boost digital engagement. For bakeries, these tools are invaluable for staying competitive and meeting customer expectations. 

To unlock the full potential of these tools and take your bakery to the next level, it’s crucial to choose a modern cash register equipped with the right features for success. Read on to explore the different types of bakery cash registers, why modern bakeries should use a POS system for their cash registers, and how to choose the perfect one for your business.

Key takeaways

• Traditional cash registers work for basic needs, but modern POS systems offer advanced tools for larger or growing bakeries. Options like handheld POS systems and self-service kiosks add even more flexibility.

• A modern bakery cash register should provide inventory tracking, kitchen communication, menu customization, and support for multiple order types.

• With tools like loyalty programs, sales analytics, and menu optimization, POS systems empower bakeries to make data-driven decisions and improve profitability.

• Whether expanding to multiple locations or integrating delivery services, choose a system that grows with your business and supports new revenue streams.

• A comprehensive POS system like Toast combines all essential features into one easy-to-use platform.

4 types of bakery cash registers

Selecting the right type of cash register for your bakery depends on your business model and operational needs. Let’s explore some of the main options to choose from.

Traditional cash registers

Traditional cash drawers can be a suitable choice for very small bakeries with basic transaction needs. For example, Philadelphia-based Stock’s Bakery, famed for their pound cakes, only accepts cash.

However, basic cash registers lack advanced features like inventory tracking, online order integration, or customer management tools. While affordable and easy to use, it may limit your bakery’s ability to grow.

POS terminals

POS terminals are the most comprehensive solution for bakeries, offering advanced tools for managing operations. These systems are ideal for larger bakeries, especially those with dine-in seating or high transaction volumes. 

They support detailed order management, real-time ingredient-level inventory tracking, integration with online ordering platforms, and much more. A POS terminal can also handle complex orders and scale with your bakery as it grows, making it an excellent investment for businesses seeking efficiency and growth.

Handheld POS systems

Handheld POS systems provide flexibility and mobility, making them a great option for bakeries with café components, outdoor seating, or mobile setups like farmer’s markets or pop-up events. These systems enable staff to take orders and process payments tableside, reducing wait times and improving customer service.

For example, by using a Toast Go, a handheld POS device, servers at Café Gratitude that used to cover seven to eight tables each are now able to float between 12 and 15 tables at once. 

Rather than focus on taking orders and running back and forth to a traditional POS terminal or cash register, they spend more time answering questions, suggesting upsells, and interacting with guests.

Self-service kiosks

Self-service kiosks are perfect for bakeries with high foot traffic or grab-and-go customers. They allow customers to place orders and pay independently through a touchscreen interface, reducing the need for staff involvement in every transaction. 

By streamlining service and freeing staff to focus on production or personalized customer interactions, self-service kiosks are an excellent choice for busy bakeries.

For example, Puzzle Mountain Bakery stocks over 3,000 pies at their stand in Maine. However, other than stocking, nobody looks after the stand, meaning the business is completely self-service.

Why does a bakery need a modern cash register?

A modern bakery cash register needs to go beyond simple transactions. Most bakeries require a comprehensive POS system designed to address unique challenges like managing perishable inventory, handling intricate sales, and enhancing customer service.

Handling sales transactions

Bakery sales often involve a mix of quick, single-item purchases and more complex bulk orders. A robust cash register system can streamline these processes:

• Process various payment methods: Meet customer expectations by letting them pay the way they want, whether it be credit card, mobile wallet, cash, or online.

• Efficient multi-transaction handling: Manage several transactions at once during peak hours to reduce wait times for customers.

• Automated discounts and promotions: Apply discounts or special offers automatically, ensuring consistency and eliminating manual errors.

• Simplified digital tipping: Enable digital tipping options to encourage gratuities for your team, boosting staff satisfaction and morale.

Managing perishable inventory

Bakeries rely on fresh ingredients, and staying on top of inventory is crucial to reducing waste and maintaining profitability. A bakery-specific cash register can help by:

• Monitoring ingredient levels: Track inventory in real time and receive alerts when critical ingredients, like flour or butter, run low.

• Automated restocking: Integrate with supplier systems to automatically reorder ingredients at the right time.

• Data-driven insights: Generate detailed reports on costs and sales to help you adjust production schedules, minimize waste, and maximize profit margins.

Enhancing customer experience

A cash register isn’t just a tool for transactions; it’s also an opportunity to provide a personalized experience that builds customer loyalty. Be sure to consider implementing features like:

• Personalized customer profiles: Record repeat customers’ preferences to offer tailored service and send targeted email marketing campaigns.

• Integrated loyalty programs: Reward frequent buyers with discounts or points through automated loyalty systems, encouraging repeat business. 

  • Dunkin’ Rewards is an excellent example, offering incentives for signing up for their program, points on every purchase, and special perks like exclusive offers.

• Custom order management: Easily track and organize advance orders for special occasions, from custom cakes to large catering requests.

Analyzing business data

Your system should provide you with actionable data so you make improvements to various aspects of your business. Jason McGowan, co-founder and CEO of bakery franchise Crumbl Cookies, told QSR:

“When you arm them with data, they know how to solve these problems and how to fix these things internally, to get them to that next level, to get them a little bit faster, to get the quality a little bit better, to make sure the experience in the store and what their guests and the customers are experiencing are great and phenomenal, from opening the box to making sure people see the quality is there.”

Essential bakery cash register features

A modern bakery cash register can help simplify operations, enhance accuracy, and boost efficiency. Some of the key features to look for when choosing your system include:

1. Ease of use: An intuitive system with customizable menus reduces staff training time and minimizes errors.

2. Inventory management: Real-time ingredient tracking helps prevent shortages and overstocking.

3. Streamlined kitchen communication: Integrated Kitchen Display Systems send orders directly to the kitchen, reducing errors and speeding up preparation.

4. Online ordering and delivery integrations: Seamless integration with online ordering platforms and delivery services allows you to manage all orders from a single interface.

5. Staff tools: Features such as employee scheduling, tip management, and payroll processing help you efficiently manage your team and save time on administrative tasks.

6. Multi-location management: Centralized control over multiple bakery locations enables you to manage inventory, sales, and menus across all sites. Scalable features support growth, allowing for easy addition of new terminals or locations.

7. Reporting and analytics: Access detailed reports on sales trends, peak hours, and profit margins to make informed business decisions.

8. Dynamic menu customization: Easily update your menu with seasonal items, specials, or pricing changes without disrupting workflows.

9. Support for multiple order types: Handle dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, and pre-orders all from one system.

By focusing on these essential features, your bakery cash register becomes an indispensable tool that streamlines operations, improves customer satisfaction, and supports your business's growth.

How to choose the best bakery cash register

To select a cash register or POS system that’s right for your bakery, keep this advice in mind to help you make the best choice:

• Define your needs: Start by considering the unique aspects of your bakery. Are you primarily a quick-service shop focused on high-volume pastry sales, or do you specialize in custom cakes requiring detailed order management? Think about additional services like delivery integration or dine-in table management to identify your priorities.

• List must-have features: Outline the specific features essential for your bakery's success. These may include real-time ingredient tracking, menu customization tools, loyalty programs, or an intuitive kitchen display system.

• Compare costs: Evaluate the total cost of ownership by factoring in hardware costs, software subscription fees, and transaction charges.

• Check scalability: If you plan to expand your bakery to multiple locations or add new services like delivery or wholesale, ensure your system can grow with you.

• Test the system: Always request a demo or trial period before committing to a system. Assess how easy it is for staff to navigate and how seamlessly it integrates with your kitchen operations.

• Confirm support availability: Ensure your provider offers comprehensive support for troubleshooting, as well as regular software updates.

• Research reviews: Learn from other bakery owners’ experiences by reading reviews and case studies.

Upgrade your bakery cash register with Toast

Choosing the right cash register for your bakery is a pivotal decision. It’s crucial to focus on essential features and carefully evaluate your needs so you can invest in a system that simplifies your workflows, enhances efficiency, and meets customer expectations.

Whether you're managing a small pastry shop or a bustling bakery with multiple locations, a modern POS system can help streamline everything from inventory tracking to financial management. 

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