The True Cost of POS Systems in Restaurants: Why ForkTable Changes the Game

Written By Ehsan Golesorkhi

Introduction

Technology is rapidly transforming the restaurant industry. At the center of this evolution is the Point-of-Sale (POS) system—the backbone for handling orders, payments, reservations, and more. However, not all POS solutions are created equal. Many come with hidden costs, restrictive hardware, and complicated subscription models. Here’s how ForkTable, a native iOS and Android app, offers a simpler, more accessible alternative.

Traditional POS Systems: What’s the Real Price?

What Are They?

Traditional POS systems are bundles of software and hardware tailored for hospitality. They promise to streamline operations, but often introduce their own set of challenges.

Key Features:

  • Order and payment processing

  • Inventory and staff management

  • Basic analytics and reporting

  • Reservation handling

Popular Brands:

  • Square POS

  • Toast POS

  • Lightspeed Restaurant

  • TouchBistro

  • Clover



The Hidden Costs and Limitations

Traditional POS providers typically require:

1. Proprietary, Expensive Hardware

  • You must purchase their branded terminals, printers, and payment devices.

  • Hardware packages can cost hundreds or thousands of złoty per location.

  • If something breaks, only vendor-supplied replacements are allowed.

2. Complex, Multi-Tiered Subscriptions

  • Monthly or annual contracts, often ranging from 200 PLN to 1,000+ PLN per month.

  • Contracts may lock you in for 12–36 months.

  • Upgrading, downgrading, or early termination can trigger extra fees.

3. Paywalls for Advanced Features

  • Loyalty programs, analytics, and online ordering often cost extra.

  • Integrations with delivery platforms or other tools add to your monthly bill.

4. Complicated Onboarding and Support

  • Initial setup usually requires in-person technical assistance.

  • Ongoing support may be limited or cost extra.

5. Device Inflexibility

  • Typically, you can only use the vendor’s hardware.

  • No flexibility to use standard tablets or smartphones.

ForkTable: Simple, Mobile-First, Transparent

ForkTable was designed to remove these barriers and make modern restaurant management accessible to everyone.

1. Only Two Subscription Plans

  • Free Plan:

    • Full access to all core restaurant management features—ordering, payments, reservations, real-time menu updates, and more.

    • No monthly or annual fee.

  • Advanced Plan:

    • Unlocks advanced data analysis and personalized AI-driven recommendations.

    • Designed for restaurants that want to optimize operations and customer experience using data insights.

2. Use Any Tablet or Smartphone

  • ForkTable is a native app for iOS and Android.

  • Works on any standard tablet or smartphone—no need for proprietary hardware.

  • If a device breaks, just install the app on another and keep serving guests.

3. Fast, Remote Onboarding

  • Setup takes minutes and can be done remotely.

  • No technical staff or in-person visits required.

  • Updates and new features are delivered automatically via the App Store and Google Play.

4. All-in-One Functionality

  • Combines ordering, payments, reservations, menu management, and analytics in one easy-to-use app.

  • Real-time menu updates and AI-powered recommendations (with the advanced plan) improve both efficiency and guest experience.

5. Transparent, Predictable Pricing

  • No hidden fees or complex contracts—just a straightforward choice between free and advanced.

  • Scale up or down as needed, without penalty.

Why This Matters

For many independent restaurants and small chains, the high upfront and ongoing costs of traditional POS systems can be a major barrier to growth and innovation. These systems often eat into margins and make it harder to adapt to changing business needs.

ForkTable changes the equation:

  • Lower upfront investment (use devices you already own)

  • Simple, transparent pricing—choose between free and advanced

  • Easy to scale and adapt as your business evolves

This means you can focus more resources on delivering great food and memorable guest experiences.


Conclusion

Choosing a POS system isn’t just about processing payments—it’s about finding a partner that supports your goals and adapts to your workflow, without draining your resources with unnecessary complexity or costs.

ForkTable, as a native iOS and Android application, represents a new era of restaurant technology—affordable, accessible, and built for today’s hospitality sector. With only two subscription options and no need for expensive hardware, ForkTable is worth a closer look for any restaurant ready to modernize its operations.

Interested in Modernizing Your Restaurant?

If you’d like to learn more about how ForkTable can help streamline your restaurant’s operations—or if you just want to have a casual conversation about the future of restaurant technology—feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to answer questions, share insights, or simply chat about what’s next in gastronomy.

Contact us for more information or to start a conversation. We look forward to connecting!

Ehsan Golesorkhi
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