The Best POS System for New Restaurants in 2025

According to a 2024 survey by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 60% of new restaurant owners feel overwhelmed when choosing their first POS system. And honestly, it makes sense, most POS systems out there are packed with advanced features, complex dashboards, and price tags that feel more suited for chains than startups.

But here’s a question worth asking: Do you really need all that on day one?

When you're just opening your doors, your needs are simpler such as quick order-taking, smooth billing, basic reporting, and something your team can learn not in days but in minutes. Not every POS system is built while keeping ease in mind.

That’s where Butter POS comes in the field — a system designed with simplicity, affordability, and startup realities at its core.

Butter POS - The Best POS System for New Restaurants

When you're starting out, you don't need a POS system built for multi-location chains or high-volume fine dining — you need one that fits your size, your pace, and your budget too. That’s why Butter POS exists. 

This POS is built specifically for new and small restaurants, Butter POS takes away the complexity and brings in the clarity. No cluttered screens, no feature overload, just the tools you actually need at your new restaurant.

However, here are the reasons why Butter POS is becoming the go-to choice for first-time restaurant owners:

• Simple to use – Your staff can learn it in minutes, not days
• Helps in serving quick – Fast billing, easy modifiers, smooth table flow
• Free for new restaurants – Butter POS is 100% free for new restaurants in the United States.
• Smart & detailed reporting – Know what’s selling, when, and why — without the noise
• Plug-and-play setup – No tech team required
• 24/7 human support – Real humans who speak your language

Butter POS doesn’t try to be everything for everyone. It focuses on being the right fit for new restaurants, helping them get off the ground, stay in control, and grow at their own pace.

Because let’s be real: In the early days,new restaurants were juggling a dozen things already. Their POS shouldn’t be one of them.

What New Restaurants Actually Need in a POS (And What They Don't)

Not every restaurant is starting with a packed dining room, multiple staff shifts, or a complex kitchen setup, and your POS system should reflect that.

Here’s what most new restaurants truly need in their first POS system:

• Easy setup: You shouldn’t need a tech expert to get started.
  
  
• Fast, simple billing: Quick order entry and smooth payments — no confusion.
  
  
• Menu customization: Add, remove, or edit items without calling support.
  
  
• Sales insights: Just enough reporting to know what’s working (and what’s not).
  
  
• Staff-friendly interface: Your team should feel confident using it on day one.
  
  
• Budget-conscious pricing: Every dollar counts when you're just getting started.

And here’s what they usually don’t need (at least not yet):

• Complex inventory modules that require daily input
• Multi-location syncing or franchise-level tools
• Deep integrations with third-party apps they don’t use
• Custom workflows that slow things down instead of speeding them up

The truth is, many POS software are designed with scale in mind — but if you're in startup mode, you need something that fits you right now. Starting simple doesn't mean limiting growth, it means laying the right foundation.

Popular POS Systems in 2025 (And Why They’re Not Always Ideal for Newbies)

There are some big names in the POS world, and for good reason. They’re powerful, polished, and built for busy operations. But for new restaurant owners, they can often feel like too much, and too soon. 

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Toast POS

Toast is one of the most feature-rich POS systems out there, especially popular among full-service restaurants and growing chains. It offers deep customization, powerful kitchen display systems, and strong reporting tools — ideal for complex operations.

But for someone just starting out, it can feel overwhelming. The interface has a learning curve, the setup requires some time and training, and the pricing can stretch tight startup budgets.

2. Square for Restaurants

Square is known for its clean, user-friendly interface and sleek hardware. It’s a great choice for fast-casual spots or cafés that want something visually appealing and easy to navigate. Plus, it’s quick to set up and get running.

However, as your needs grow, so does the cost. Many essential features — like marketing tools, loyalty programs, or advanced reporting, come as paid add-ons, which can lead to a higher monthly bill than expected for a small startup.

3. Clover POS

Clover offers solid hardware and a flexible app ecosystem, allowing you to customize your POS experience based on your business type. It’s also widely available through banks and payment processors, making it easy to access.

But this accessibility comes with a catch, pricing often depends on the reseller, which can lead to inconsistent fees or long-term contracts. For new restaurants seeking flexibility and transparency, this can feel risky.

How Butter POS Fills the Gap No One Else Does? 

While most POS systems focus on scale, complexity, and multi-location operations, Butter POS focuses on what truly matters for new restaurateurs i.e., simplicity, speed, and control from day one. 

Here’s how:

• Fast, Intuitive Order Flow

New restaurants can’t afford delays or confusion during rush hours, and that’s where Butter POS shines. The system is designed for quick service: taking an order, sending it to the kitchen, and billing it. All happens within seconds. The interface is clean and distraction-free, so even first-time staff members can use it confidently, with little to no training.

• Effortless Menu Management

Starting out means experimenting, maybe you’re adjusting prices, changing item names, or adding new dishes based on customer feedback. Butter POS makes this process simple. You can update your menu on the fly without needing tech support. Everything is editable from a single dashboard, and the changes reflect in real-time across the system.

• Smooth Billing and Payments

Whether it’s dine-in, takeout, or online orders, billing is fast and frictionless. You can apply discounts, split bills, or add custom notes, all without slowing down the checkout experience. Butter POS also integrates with major payment processors, so your customers can pay the way they prefer.

• Simple Yet Smart Sales Reports

New restaurateurs don’t need 20 charts and filters — they need clear answers. Butter POS gives you exactly that. It highlights your best-selling items, slow movers, and peak sales times so you can make quick, informed decisions without needing to be a data analyst.

• Cloud-Based Access from Anywhere

You're not always at the counter. Butter POS gives you access to your data from anywhere, whether you're at home, at the supplier’s, or just taking a break. Track sales, check performance, and manage your menu on the go.

• Pricing That Fits Your Budget

If you’re opening a new restaurant in the US, you get Butter POS completely free. For everyone else, our pricing is transparent and startup-friendly — no setup fees, no surprise add-ons, and no long-term contracts. You only pay for what you truly need.

• Support That Actually Supports

Starting a restaurant is stressful, but tech support shouldn’t be. Butter restaurant POS offers fast, friendly assistance from people who understand the challenges of running a new restaurant. Whether it's a quick setup question or a billing concern, help is just a message away.

Your First POS Shouldn’t Be Your Biggest Mistake

Opening a restaurant is already a big leap, filled with decisions that shape your success. And while your menu, location, or branding may evolve over time, your POS system becomes the engine behind it all. That’s why choosing the right one from day one matters more than most people realize.

The popular POS systems have their place, but they’re not always built for your beginning. You need something that meets you where you are. It means you have to prioritize simplicity, reliability, affordability, and make for the realities of a new restaurant. 

Butter POS doesn’t try to do everything, it focuses on doing the right things for you. Whether you're serving your first customer next week or finalizing your soft launch plans, Butter gives you the tools to start strong, stay organized, and grow at your own pace.