Back to blog
POS rollouts that don't slow service
A field-tested checklist for taking a new POS live without long lines or lost orders.
Launching a new point of sale system should never mean slower tables or missed tickets. This checklist keeps teams aligned from the first dry run to the first real rush.
Before go-live
- Map every order flow: dine-in, takeout, delivery, tabs, discounts, and voids
- Create quick-reference cards for front-of-house shortcuts and error recovery
- Sync menu items, modifiers, and taxes with your finance and inventory tools
- Run a mock service with real payments in a safe environment
On day one
- Start with a controlled pilot (one section or one shift) and mirror transactions in your legacy system for the first hour.
- Assign one floor lead to watch order time, payment issues, and printer behavior.
- Keep a rollback plan ready with a single toggle (not a full reinstall).
Signals to track in the first week
- Average ticket time and void reasons by shift
- Tip rate changes after checkout flow adjustments
- Chargeback rate if you introduce new payment types
- Menu items with the highest click depth—simplify or preconfigure modifiers
What great teams do next
- Standardize shift-change audits so settings stay consistent
- Push nightly menu changes through a versioned workflow, not ad hoc edits
- Connect your POS to inventory and staffing so low stock and short shifts trigger alerts automatically
A smooth rollout is less about the software and more about clear playbooks. When teams know what “good” looks like, the new POS feels invisible to guests.