Start here
Start with Square, Toast, or another restaurant-capable mobile setup only after a rush demo on battery power and weak signal. SumUp can be a simple card-acceptance baseline. Avoid locking into a heavy retail stack unless packaged goods and ecommerce are already core to the business.
Map the service path before the brand
- Walk-up counter order paid immediately
- Queued prep with a ticket or display
- Preorder or app pickup during an event
- Tips, comps, and partial refunds in a rush
- Card-present only versus QR or invoice fallback
- Later inventory or ingredient tracking back at base
Test power, heat, and connectivity
Mobile selling often fails on infrastructure, not software features. Demo the exact hardware stack on battery, in sunlight or heat if relevant, and with intentionally weak or offline network conditions.
- Tablet or terminal battery life through a full service window
- Receipt printer power and paper path
- Payment terminal range and docking
- Offline transaction limits and reconciliation
- Sunlight-readable screens and glove-friendly taps
- Mounting, wind, grease, and splash exposure
Price the whole stack
- Terminal or reader purchase versus lease
- Tablet, case, stand, spare battery, and charger
- Receipt or kitchen printer and mounts
- Cellular hotspot or event Wi-Fi backup
- Monthly software and payment plan
- Replacement plan if one device dies mid-shift
Protect settlement and tax records
Event days create messy tenders and tips. Confirm how offline cards settle, how tips pool, how sales tax is reported by location or event, and how you export a clean day report after reconnecting.
Sources to confirm before buying
Features, terms, support, and compatibility can change. These links are starting points; the written quote and agreement control the actual purchase.