Juggling multiple catering events with varied menus, staff, and payment schedules frustrates operators. Toast POS often lacks specific event management features catering companies need. A system that truly supports your unique business changes everything. This guide explores top Toast alternatives built for catering success.
Top Alternatives to Toast
🏆 1. Lavu
Lavu customizes catering menus, event management, and complex payments. This includes deposits and staggered payments. It also handles inventory and staff scheduling for event-based businesses.
Best for: Catering companies need specialized event management, custom invoicing, and detailed inventory control across locations. They also want intelligent business insights. Lavu suits these needs.
Pricing: Subscription-based plans vary; contact Lavu for a custom quote tailored to your catering operation.
2. Revel Systems
Revel is a customizable cloud POS. It offers many reports and enterprise features. Its open API integrates with various catering and event management software.
Best for: Large catering operations and multi-location businesses need advanced reporting. They also need custom workflows and many third-party integrations. Revel fits these businesses.
Pricing: Subscription plans start around $99/month per terminal, plus implementation and hardware costs. Custom quotes are common.
3. Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed offers strong inventory management. It has table and floor management adaptable for events. It also provides detailed customer profiles. Lightspeed supports multi-location businesses, like caterers with central kitchens and event sites.
Best for: Medium to large catering companies need detailed inventory tracking. They also need advanced reporting and an all-in-one system for restaurant and event operations. Lightspeed serves them.
Pricing: Core plans begin at $69/month, with higher tiers offering advanced features. Hardware is purchased separately.
4. Square for Restaurants
Square has an easy interface. It offers add-ons for invoicing and online ordering, which helps catering businesses. Setup and use are simple for smaller to mid-sized operations.
Best for: Smaller catering businesses or new ventures benefit from Square. They value its ease of use, clear pricing, and integrated payment processing.
Pricing: Free basic plan available; Plus plan starts at $60/month per location, with custom pricing for larger businesses. Transaction fees apply.
5. Clover
Clover offers a flexible app-based system. Caterers add specific functions like order management and customer loyalty. It provides many hardware options for event setups.
Best for: Catering companies want a flexible, modular system. They need many hardware options and can customize features with an app marketplace. Clover is for them.
Pricing: Monthly plans vary by hardware and software tier, typically starting around $39.95/month plus transaction fees. Hardware is an additional cost.
6. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an iPad POS. It offers strong offline capabilities for off-site catering events. It includes inventory, staff management, and menu customization.
Best for: Catering businesses need ease of use, offline function, and integrated reporting. They manage events and staff. TouchBistro helps them.
Pricing: Plans start at $69/month for a single license, with additional costs for more features and terminals. Hardware is purchased separately.
Why Lavu Is the Best Choice
Toast often fails catering companies. You manage varied menus, staggered payments, and complex staff schedules for many events. Lavu knows these challenges. We built our system to help your catering business. Lavu customizes event menus and pricing. It handles deposits and final payments. This gives you control for every event.
Lavu works as your partner. Our inventory management tracks ingredients across kitchens and event sites. You prevent waste and stockouts. Staff scheduling tools adjust to your changing event calendar. This keeps your team organized and efficient. Lavu lets you focus on service.
You get more than a POS with Lavu. Marty, our AI analytics layer, shows sales data insights. See peak event types and profitable menu items. Make smart decisions about staffing and inventory. Lavu helps grow your catering business with data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I manage multiple catering events simultaneously with these alternatives?
Yes. Most alternatives track and manage many events at once. You can assign different menus, pricing, and staff to each.
Does the system handle staggered payments and deposits?
Yes. Many advanced POS systems, including Lavu, manage complex payments. They allow deposits, partial payments, and final invoices for catering jobs.
Can I create custom menus and pricing for each event?
Yes. Customization is a key feature in catering POS systems. You can tailor menus, modify item prices, and apply event discounts.
Is inventory tracking available across different event locations?
Yes. Advanced systems offer centralized inventory management. This tracks ingredients and supplies across your kitchen and off-site event locations.
Does the POS integrate with third-party event management software?
Yes. Many modern POS solutions offer open APIs or built-in integrations. This syncs data with popular catering and event planning tools.
How does staff scheduling work for a varied catering team?
Most systems include staff management tools. You create dynamic schedules, assign roles, and track hours for your catering team across events.
Can I track customer preferences and order history?
Yes. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) features are common in these POS systems. You store contact information, past orders, and special notes for returning clients.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
