Running a busy restaurant demands systems that work together smoothly. A modern restaurant POS supports employee management, inventory tracking, payments, and reporting. With thoughtful configuration, it can also help increase the tips your staff receives.
Optimizing your tip settings, checkout process, and presentation can create a more intuitive experience that encourages customers to reward great service.
Configure your tip screen strategically
The way tipping options appear on your checkout screen influences how much customers choose to give. If preset percentages are unclear or if the option to enter a custom amount is missing, many diners skip tipping entirely.
Start by reviewing the preset percentages on your restaurant POS. Ensure they are active, visible, and reasonable. Consider setting your lowest option slightly higher than the traditional 15 percent to guide customers toward more generous selections. Highlighting a default option can also prompt quick, positive decisions.
Providing a “no tip” choice may seem counterintuitive, yet customers appreciate transparency and control. Including this option, along with the ability to add a custom amount, reduces friction and often leads to more consistent tipping.
Improve the payment process
Checkout should feel effortless. A smooth transaction leaves diners with a positive final impression, which often translates to higher gratuities.
Your credit card reader and customer-facing device should be positioned or mounted in a way that allows guests to complete payment themselves. When customers can independently select their tip and approve the total, they tend to choose higher amounts.
Speed is also essential. Configure your system to process transactions quickly and reliably. When customers experience a seamless payment flow, they finish their visit on a positive note that benefits your staff.
Refine screen presentation
Clear, friendly prompts help guide customers without feeling intrusive. If your tipping screen uses vague or impersonal language, your staff may see lower tip amounts.
Use wording that acknowledges the guest’s experience and the service they received. Phrases such as “thank your server” or “show appreciation for our team” can make tipping feel more personal. Ensure the tipping prompt appears before final confirmation so the guest sees it at the right moment.
Screen visibility also matters. Encourage servers to stay nearby during the payment process without hovering. Their presence reinforces the human connection that often influences tip decisions.
Update outdated POS technology
If your system is outdated, it may be affecting both workflow and tipping potential. Modern restaurant POS solutions support mobile ordering, tableside payments, faster processing, and stronger data insights.
Handheld ordering devices allow servers to enter orders instantly and reduce errors. Guests can also settle their bill at the table, which often increases convenience and tip amounts. Meanwhile, reporting tools help you analyze tipping trends by shift or server, giving you the data needed for staff coaching and operational adjustments.
Your restaurant POS is more than a payment tool; it’s a central part of the guest experience. By configuring your settings, optimizing your checkout flow, and modernizing your credit card reader setup, you can enhance service quality and support higher tips for your team.
North is a leading financial technology company that builds innovative, frictionless end-to-end payment solutions designed to simplify and grow businesses of all sizes. From the front door, to the back office, the developer world, and partnerships that expand the payments landscape, North offers proactive, comprehensive merchant services, in-house processing, and more.
