Toast POS System Cost: Features, Pricing, and Benefits

Author

Reads 1K

Two people celebrating with a champagne toast in an indoor setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Two people celebrating with a champagne toast in an indoor setting.

The Toast POS system is a popular choice among restaurants and bars, and its cost is a crucial factor to consider.

Toast's pricing model is based on a subscription fee, with a flat monthly rate of $69 per location.

This fee gives you access to a wide range of features, including online ordering, delivery integration, and inventory management.

Toast also offers a free trial period, allowing you to test the system and its features before committing to a paid plan.

With Toast, you can expect to save time and money on operations, thanks to its streamlined ordering and payment processes.

Discover more: Pos System Features

What Is Toast POS System?

Toast POS System is a cloud-based point-of-sale solution designed for restaurants and retail businesses. It's known for its user-friendly interface and scalability.

Toast offers a range of features, including online ordering, delivery integration, and inventory management. This makes it a popular choice among businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Credit: youtube.com, Is Toast POS Worth It in 2025? Full Review, Pricing, Pros & Cons

The system is available on desktop and mobile devices, allowing staff to manage orders and transactions from anywhere. This flexibility is especially useful for businesses with multiple locations.

Toast's pricing plans vary depending on the number of users and locations. For example, the Standard plan costs $69 per month for one location.

Cost and Pricing

Toast POS offers a range of pricing options to suit different business needs.

The cost of Toast POS starts at $69 per month for the Core plan, which includes features like team management tools and API access.

You can also opt for the free Quick Start Bundle, which includes essential features like order and table management, reporting and analytics, menu management, and 24/7 customer support.

Toast's Growth Plan starts at $165 per month and includes features like Toast Online Ordering, Toast Delivery Services, and the Toast TakeOut App.

However, if you factor in hardware costs, transaction fees, and potentially add-ons, Toast is on the more expensive side compared to other POS systems.

Credit: youtube.com, Toast POS Review: Pricing, Pros and Cons, Alternatives

Toast offers a Build Your Own plan with custom pricing for businesses with specific needs or multiple locations.

The cost of hardware varies depending on your specific needs, with options like the Toast Flex Terminal starting at around £799 and the Toast Handheld Device priced at approximately £350.

Toast's hardware includes Toast Flex, Toast Go 2, Toast Flex for Guest, Toast Flex for Kitchen, a Kiosk, Toast Tap, Toast Printer, Impact Printers, Toast Hub, wireless access points, routers, cash drawers, card readers, barcode scanners, scales, flip stands, and wall mounts.

The cost of these hardware items varies, with additional peripherals like receipt printers costing between £100-£300.

Toast's payment processing fees start at 2.49% + 15p per transaction, with custom rates available for higher transaction volumes.

Here is a summary of Toast's pricing options:

Toast's payment processing fees are assessed on a per-use basis and require an active Toast subscription plan.

You can also manage delivery costs and adjust minimum ticket sizes to accommodate the extra expenses.

Toast requires a two-year payment processing contract for establishments choosing starter kits.

The standard payment processing rate for Toast is 2.49% + 15 cents per transaction.

For more insights, see: Compare Credit Card Processing Fees

Features and Benefits

Credit: youtube.com, Toast POS: Is It the Right Choice for Your Restaurant?

Toast POS System is built to withstand the demanding restaurant environment, making it a comprehensive solution for POS systems. The hardware is designed to last, ensuring your business can run smoothly.

Toast offers a range of features that cater to the specific needs of the food service industry. These include multiple payment methods accepted, built for the eatery industry, and live 24/7 customer service at all price levels.

Some of the key benefits of Toast POS System include:

  • Multiple payment methods accepted
  • Built for the eatery industry
  • Live 24/7 customer service at all price levels
  • Easy to use for several locations
  • Low-cost entry-level packages

Features and Benefits

Toast's comprehensive solution for POS systems is built to withstand the demanding restaurant environment. It's a game-changer for restaurant merchants.

The Toast POS platform is generally easy to use, with a sleek and clean dashboard that makes it faster and easier to manage than more traditional restaurant POS systems. The brand goes out of its way to offer training and resources that ensure staff grasps system navigation and controls.

Toast provides 24/7 phone, email, and chat support, ensuring continuous assistance for users. This level of support is a huge relief for restaurant owners who need help at any time.

A Close-Up Shot of a Cashier Using a Point of Sale System
Credit: pexels.com, A Close-Up Shot of a Cashier Using a Point of Sale System

The entry package from Toast includes the Toast Flex, Toast Tap, and a router. With other packages, you get access to these products as well and more. If you already have your own hardware, you can use it with Toast, but it's recommended that you stick with theirs.

Here are some of the key features and benefits of Toast:

  • Multiple payment methods accepted
  • Built for the eatery industry
  • Live 24/7 customer service at all price levels
  • Easy to use for several locations
  • Low-cost entry-level packages
  • Comprehensive Support: 24/7 phone, email, and chat support
  • Free Plan: Restaurants with up to two POS terminals can benefit from a free plan
  • In-House Payroll Software: Real-time tracking of staff hours, aligned with local labor laws
  • Online Ordering Inclusion: Some plans include online ordering functionality

Pros and Cons

Toast is a popular POS system that offers a range of benefits for bars and restaurants. Its multiple payment methods accepted include credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.

The system is built specifically for the eatery industry, making it a great fit for restaurants and bars. Live 24/7 customer service is available at all price levels, providing support when you need it.

One potential downside is the requirement for a two-year contract, which may limit flexibility for certain businesses. This could be a concern for seasonal restaurants or those that need to make changes quickly.

A restaurant employee uses a touchscreen register in a modern cafe setting with natural light.
Credit: pexels.com, A restaurant employee uses a touchscreen register in a modern cafe setting with natural light.

Toast's ease of use makes it simple to manage multiple locations, reducing the administrative burden. Low-cost entry-level packages are also available, making it accessible to small businesses.

However, some users have found the self-installation process complicated, sometimes requiring intervention from company representatives. This could be a challenge for those without technical expertise.

Here are some key pros and cons to consider:

  • Multiple payment methods accepted
  • Built for the eatery industry
  • Live 24/7 customer service at all price levels
  • Easy to use for several locations
  • Low-cost entry-level packages
  • Contract Requirement: A two-year contract may limit flexibility
  • Limited Payment Processor Integration: No integration with third-party payment processors
  • Complex Installation and Setup: Self-installation can be complicated

Handheld for Tableside Use

Using handheld devices for tableside service can greatly improve the efficiency of your restaurant's operations.

With Toast POS handheld devices, staff can take orders and process payments directly at the table, reducing wait times and improving service quality.

Orders taken on these devices are instantly transmitted to the kitchen, ensuring smooth coordination between the front and back of house.

Toast handhelds also feature upsell prompts, enabling servers to easily suggest add-ons or upgrades to enhance the customer experience.

TotalTouch

TotalTouch is a great choice for small to mid-sized restaurants, food trucks, and establishments that prefer the convenience of an iPad-based POS. It's perfect for quick-service restaurants requiring fast and reliable tableside ordering.

Credit: youtube.com, Meet Total Touch®, the Powerful Restaurant Management Solution

TotalTouch offers hardware and payment processing flexibility, making it a great option for restaurants with varying needs. This flexibility is especially useful for establishments with multiple locations.

It also stands out with easy-to-use features, which is ideal for restaurants that don't want to spend a lot of time training staff on complex systems. This ease of use can save time and reduce frustration for restaurant owners and staff.

TotalTouch includes built-in loyalty and marketing options, making it a great choice for single or multi-location restaurants that want to reward customers and promote their business.

Payment Processing

Payment processing is a crucial aspect of using the Toast POS system. The fees are tailored to different business scenarios, making it essential to understand the options.

Toast POS adopts a flat-rate payment processing model with fees ranging from 2.49% to 3.50% plus 15 cents per transaction, depending on the business scenario.

For businesses that opt for the pay-as-you-go hardware option, the transaction fee is 2.99% plus 15 cents per transaction.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Lightspeed Credit Card Processing Fees

Credit: youtube.com, Toast POS Fees Review

Businesses that choose to pay for their hardware upfront benefit from a reduced card-present transaction fee of 2.49% plus 15 cents per transaction.

Card-not-present transactions with upfront hardware payment come with a fee of 3.50% plus 15 cents per transaction.

Restaurants with higher transaction volumes may be eligible for custom rates.

Toast POS offers bundled hardware packages, which can reduce upfront costs for restaurants needing a complete setup.

Here's a breakdown of the payment processing fees for Toast POS:

It's worth noting that establishments choosing starter kits must commit to a two-year payment processing contract, which may be a consideration for businesses evaluating their payment processing options and overall flexibility.

Integration and Alternatives

Toast offers a range of third-party integrations to enhance its basic POS software, including Compeat for business insights, Paytronix for ordering, and Grubhub for delivery.

These integrations can be found online, but be aware that each add-on represents an additional monthly charge. Consider carefully which integrations are essential for your business.

The Toast POS system has several alternatives, including Square, Shopify, and Lightspeed, which offer similar features and pricing structures.

Here's a comparison of Toast with some of its top alternatives:

Is Cloud-Based?

Credit: youtube.com, Integration to cloud based system

Cloud-based systems offer a lot of flexibility, and Toast POS is no exception. It's cloud-based, which means you can access your data from any internet-connected device.

This is a big advantage, especially if you have multiple locations or employees who need to access the system. Automatic updates and backups are also a major plus, as they ensure your data is always up-to-date and secure.

Toast POS's cloud-based system means you don't have to worry about installing software on individual computers or servers. This can save you a lot of time and hassle.

Related reading: Pos System Web Based

Third Party Integrations

Toast's feature set is already pretty expansive, but it also offers a variety of add-ons beyond its basic POS software.

You can find the full list of integrations online, but some popular options include Compeat, Paytronix, and Grubhub. Each add-on represents an additional monthly charge, so you'll need to consider which integrations are essential for your business.

Toast's integrations include business insights, ordering apps, and delivery tools. These integrations can help streamline your operations and improve customer satisfaction.

Here are some popular integrations offered by Toast:

Remember to weigh the benefits of each integration against the additional monthly charge.

Management and Reporting

Credit: youtube.com, How to run a Toast POS report plus modifers report

Toast POS system makes cost management straightforward by letting managers monitor overheads, calculate labor and product costs, and factor in fixed overhead costs.

With Toast, you get a unified view of total revenue, which is a big plus for businesses looking to keep a close eye on their finances.

Toast also offers the option to assign ingredients to menu items, allowing you to track ingredient stock, which is a feature that Square is missing.

This feature is perfect for businesses that want to manage their costs and profits through their POS system, without needing a separate program or system.

Toast's reporting and analytics tools are top-notch, offering a location overview with a bird's-eye view of net sales or total employee costs.

You can view this data across all locations or break it down individually, and sales summaries can be produced across any time period, giving you a quick snapshot of your earnings.

Toast's reporting tools are highly customizable, allowing you to filter performance by a ton of metrics, including location, service type, and dining options.

Reporting and Analytics

Credit: youtube.com, Management Report Pack - Bringing Financial Analysis to your Business

With Toast POS, you can get a clear view of your business's performance with its location overview, which shows net sales or total employee costs from a bird's-eye view. This can be viewed for all locations or broken down individually.

Sales summaries can be produced across any time period, giving you a quick snapshot of your earnings. Whether you're looking at daily, weekly, or monthly sales, Toast's reporting tools make it easy to get the information you need.

Toast's reporting tools are considered some of the best on the market, with the ability to filter performance by a ton of metrics, including location, service type, and dining options. This level of customization helps you pinpoint areas of improvement and make data-driven decisions.

However, if you're looking for more advanced reporting capabilities, such as sales and payment trends reports, you might want to consider alternative options like Square.

Managing

Managing your costs is a breeze with Toast, as it lets you keep an eye on your overheads and calculate expenses associated with labor and product costs. This unified view of total revenue helps you make informed decisions.

A cashier uses a touchscreen system for taking orders in a restaurant setting.
Credit: pexels.com, A cashier uses a touchscreen system for taking orders in a restaurant setting.

You can assign ingredients to menu items to track ingredient stock, which is a feature that's missing in some other top hospitality POS systems. This is especially useful for businesses that want to manage their costs through their POS and not a separate program or system.

Toast offers a flat rate pricing model, not a percentage of sales, which means you'll always know exactly how much you're paying. This can be a big relief for businesses on a tight budget.

If you're dealing with delivery costs, you can adjust your minimum ticket sizes to accommodate the extra expenses. You can also pass some of the charges onto guests, giving you complete flexibility in how you manage your costs.

Worth It?

Toast POS is a powerful choice for restaurants looking to streamline their operations. It offers a comprehensive feature set that includes handheld ordering and in-depth inventory tracking.

The initial costs of Toast POS may be higher than other POS systems, but its restaurant-focused tools make it well worth the investment for many restaurant owners. This is especially true for full-service restaurants seeking efficiency and enhanced service capabilities.

Toast requires a two-year contract to get started, which can be a big commitment for new businesses. However, its pricing plans range from a free starter plan to other customizable options, making it a flexible choice for some restaurants.

For another approach, see: Pos Ticket Restaurant

Is a Good System?

A mouth-watering breakfast toast featuring a fried egg, avocado, and prosciutto on a white plate.
Credit: pexels.com, A mouth-watering breakfast toast featuring a fried egg, avocado, and prosciutto on a white plate.

Toast POS is a robust system designed specifically for restaurants, featuring custom hardware and comprehensive management tools. It offers versatile POS terminals, handheld devices, and solutions for menu customization and inventory tracking.

The system's robust features make it a good option for restaurants that need a reliable and comprehensive point-of-sale system. However, it's worth noting that Toast requires a two-year contract to get started with them, which can be a big commitment for new businesses.

Toast's pricing plans range from a free starter plan to other customizable options, but hardware costs can be a little murky. This can be a drawback for businesses that need to carefully manage their expenses.

A payment service provider like PaymentCloud can be a good alternative to Toast if you want more flexible rates and extensive industry experience.

Is It Worth It?

Toast POS is a powerful choice for restaurants looking to streamline their operations.

The initial costs may be higher than other POS systems, but the comprehensive feature set makes it well worth the investment for many restaurant owners.

A Close-Up Shot of a Cashier Using a Point of Sale System
Credit: pexels.com, A Close-Up Shot of a Cashier Using a Point of Sale System

If you're evaluating options, consider how Toast POS's restaurant-focused tools can support your specific needs, and whether its cost aligns with your budget.

For small establishments with simpler requirements, a more affordable POS like Square may be a better fit.

Toast POS is a market leader in the restaurant POS space, particularly for full-service restaurants seeking efficiency and enhanced service capabilities.

Expand your knowledge: Micros Restaurant Pos

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Toast machine cost?

The cost to get started with Toast is $849 for setup, plus additional fees for digital ordering and gift card conversions. Initial setup costs include 1-2 tablets, digital ordering, and gift card conversion fees.

Abraham Lebsack

Lead Writer

Abraham Lebsack is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and insurance. With a focus on educating readers, he has crafted informative articles on critical illness insurance, providing valuable insights and guidance for those navigating complex financial decisions. Abraham's expertise in the field of critical illness insurance has allowed him to develop comprehensive guides, breaking down intricate topics into accessible and actionable advice.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.