Balancing profitable food and beverage sales creates challenges for pub and gastropub operators. Managing late-night labor costs also proves difficult. Square’s general approach misses these specific needs. Your business needs a POS built for your unique operations.
Top Alternatives to Square
🏆 1. Lavu
Lavu offers specialized features for pubs and gastropubs. It controls draft beer waste and manages keg inventory. You get better insights into your food and beverage mix. This helps optimize profit. Marty, Lavu’s AI, provides intelligence for smarter decisions.
Best for: Pubs and gastropubs needing advanced inventory control, revenue mix insight, and intelligent labor management.
Pricing: Subscription plans vary. Contact Lavu directly for a personalized quote.
2. Toast POS
Toast offers a powerful, all-in-one system for restaurants. It handles high-volume orders. Its hardware is durable, built for busy environments.
Best for: Full-service gastropubs with complex menus. They need integrated hardware.
Pricing: Core plans start at $69/month. Additional modules add cost.
3. Revel Systems
Revel offers deep customization. It supports complex multi-location operations. Its open API allows many third-party integrations.
Best for: Larger gastropub chains or establishments with very specific operational workflows.
Pricing: Starts at $99/terminal per month, billed annually. Requires a custom quote.
4. Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed offers strong inventory management for food and beverages. It works for businesses with multiple locations. Its cloud-based system allows access from anywhere.
Best for: Pubs or gastropubs with extensive inventory needs. This applies especially to multi-unit operators.
Pricing: Basic plans start around $69/month. Contact for specific restaurant pricing.
5. TouchBistro
TouchBistro offers an intuitive iPad interface. It simplifies table service and order management. It also provides good reporting.
Best for: Medium-sized pubs and gastropubs. They seek an easy-to-use, mobile POS for table service.
Pricing: Starts at $69/month for one license. Additional licenses and features cost more.
6. Clover
Clover offers flexible hardware and a wide app marketplace. You customize the system to fit your business needs. It works for general payment processing.
Best for: Smaller gastropubs. They focus on payment flexibility with basic POS needs.
Pricing: Starts around $14.95/month for software, plus hardware costs.
Why Lavu Is the Best Choice
Lavu partners with pubs and gastropubs. Our system directly tackles your pain points. You control your draft beer inventory. Minimize waste. Maximize profit from every keg. Lavu helps you improve your food and beverage revenue mix. Understand what sells best and when.
Lavu simplifies staff management. This controls late-night labor costs. Marty, Lavu’s AI analytics, provides intelligent insights. You see labor efficiency trends. Make smarter staffing decisions based on data.
Switching to Lavu means choosing a partner dedicated to your success. We understand running a busy pub or gastropub. Our features help you operate more efficiently. You become more profitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this POS manage my draft beer inventory?
Yes, specific systems offer advanced keg tracking. This reduces waste and improves orders.
Will it help control labor costs, especially late-night?
Yes, many alternatives provide labor scheduling tools. They track employee hours to prevent overstaffing.
Does it support both food and bar menus?
Yes, specialized restaurant POS systems handle complex menu items. They also manage separate pricing for food and drinks.
Can I integrate it with my existing accounting software?
Yes, most modern POS systems integrate with popular accounting platforms. This simplifies financial reporting.
Is training difficult for my staff?
No, most user-friendly systems offer intuitive interfaces. Training takes minimal time for your team.
What kind of hardware do I need?
Systems vary. Many support standard iPads or offer their own dedicated terminals.
Can I manage multiple locations?
Yes, many advanced POS platforms support multi-location management. This allows centralized control over all your pubs.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
