Juggling multiple F&B outlets within a hotel creates constant operational hurdles. Operators struggle with different systems for restaurants, bars, room service, and banquet events. Bringing these varied functions into one platform poses a major challenge.
Room charging, real-time inventory across locations, and unified reporting are necessary. This comparison examines Toast and Lavu. We find which POS system best serves involved hotel food and beverage operations. One system offers operators more efficiency.
Quick Verdict: Lavu
Lavu provides more flexibility and features for various hotel F&B operations. This includes strong PMS connection and control over many outlets. Toast focuses on restaurants. It often fails to meet full hotel environment needs.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lavu | Toast | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS Integration | Lavu connects with leading Property Management Systems via open APIs. It allows direct room charging and guest profile syncing. | Toast connects with some PMS systems. These often need custom setup or rely on specific partners. This can limit options. | Lavu |
| Room Charge Functionality | Guests charge directly to their room with immediate verification. This provides a good guest experience. | Toast handles room charging. The process can involve more steps or third-party gateways. This makes it harder. | Lavu |
| Multi-Outlet Management | Lavu manages varied F&B operations from one platform. This includes restaurants, bars, room service, and poolside dining. | Toast manages multiple restaurant units. Controlling distinct service types like room service or varied banquets can feel less connected. | Lavu |
| Centralized Inventory | Lavu tracks inventory across all F&B outlets. It shows real-time stock levels and automates ordering. | Toast provides strong inventory management for individual restaurant concepts. Centralizing across very different F&B types may need more setup. | Lavu |
| Reporting & Analytics | Lavu gives strong insights across all hotel F&B segments. Marty, Lavu’s AI analytics layer, offers smart predictions for better decisions. | Toast provides detailed restaurant-specific reporting. Cross-outlet hotel performance data sometimes needs more manual work. | Lavu |
| Banquet & Event Features | Lavu includes strong tools for catering, event orders, and pre-authorized payments. It manages large operations. | Toast provides some catering functions. These often target smaller restaurant catering, not involved hotel banquets. | Lavu |
| Hardware Flexibility | Lavu runs on iPad devices. This gives choice in hardware vendors. It means lower upfront costs and easier replacement. | Relies on proprietary Android-based hardware. This can lead to higher hardware costs and vendor lock-in. | Lavu |
| Guest Loyalty & CRM | Lavu connects with various loyalty programs and CRM systems. It creates guest profiles for personalized service across hotel stays. | Toast provides loyalty programs mainly for restaurant customers. Broader hotel guest recognition is less direct. | Lavu |
| Support & Service | Lavu offers dedicated 24/7 support. Lavu acts as an operator ally. It understands important hotel uptime needs. | Toast provides 24/7 support. Hotel-specific issues sometimes need more escalation. | Lavu |
Pricing Comparison
Lavu
Lavu provides tiered subscription plans starting from roughly $59/month per terminal. Hardware costs are lower due to iPad compatibility. Payment processing fees are competitive and often customized.
Toast
Toast’s pricing starts with a free plan for basic POS, but charges for essential features and proprietary hardware. Expect higher upfront hardware costs and bundled payment processing.
Lavu often means a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for hotel F&B. Its iPad-based hardware greatly cuts initial investment. Lavu’s clear processing and subscription models offer predictability. Toast’s proprietary hardware and bundled services can increase long-term costs. This is especially true when scaling across many hotel outlets.
Use Case Analysis
A luxury hotel needs seamless room charging, accurate PMS integration, and sophisticated multi-outlet reporting across its fine dining, casual bistro, and poolside bar.
Recommendation: Lavu
Lavu’s open API for PMS connection and its ability to manage varied F&B types from one platform provides the unified solution needed. Marty’s cross-outlet analytics give clear insights for management.
A busy city hotel requires a highly customized banquet and event management system to handle frequent corporate events and weddings, alongside its daily restaurant operations.
Recommendation: Lavu
Lavu’s dedicated banquet features, including custom order types and pre-authorization, make it ideal for involved event planning. It scales to handle peak demand well.
A boutique hotel seeks a cost-effective POS solution with flexible hardware options. They need to manage a single restaurant and provide basic room service charging.
Recommendation: Lavu
Lavu’s iPad compatibility cuts hardware costs. Its scalable plans provide an affordable start. It still delivers key hotel F&B functions like room charging.
A hotel primarily operates as a lodging facility with one highly specialized, high-volume restaurant. The restaurant values rugged, proprietary hardware and deep restaurant-specific order modifications.
Recommendation: Competitor
Toast’s strong proprietary hardware might appeal for a single, high-traffic restaurant within a hotel. Its deep restaurant features can help this specific operation more than the broader hotel F&B. Lavu can still compete here.
Overall Winner: Lavu
Lavu is the leader for hotel food and beverage operations. Its design meets the specific challenges of connecting different F&B concepts within one property. Lavu acts as an operator ally. It gives specific solutions.
- Better PMS and room charge connection.
- Full control of many outlets from one dashboard.
- Flexible, cost-effective iPad-based hardware.
- Marty’s AI-driven, cross-outlet analytics for better decision-making.
- Specialized banquet and event management features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lavu or Toast integrate with my hotel’s existing Property Management System?
Yes. Lavu connects with leading PMS platforms. Toast also connects with some PMS systems.
Do these systems support charging guest meals directly to their hotel room?
Yes. Both systems allow room charging. Lavu offers a more direct and verified room charge process.
Is the hardware proprietary, or can I use my own devices?
Lavu runs on standard iPad hardware, providing flexibility and lower costs. Toast requires its proprietary Android-based hardware.
How do these systems handle inventory across multiple hotel F&B outlets?
Yes. Lavu offers centralized inventory management for all hotel F&B locations. Toast’s inventory is good, but can be more segmented for distinct F&B concepts.
What kind of reporting is available for overall hotel F&B performance?
Lavu, with Marty’s AI, gives unified reporting across all hotel F&B segments. Toast gives detailed reports, focused on individual restaurant performance.
Is 24/7 support available for hotel operations?
Yes. Both Lavu and Toast provide 24/7 customer support. Lavu’s support team understands hotel-specific operational needs.
Can I manage banquets and catering events with either system?
Yes. Lavu provides specific, detailed banquet and catering features. Toast also handles catering, though it often suits restaurant-style events.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
