What is Toast and who is it best for?

Toast is a restaurant-focused POS/software platform. It fits full‑service operators who want integrated ordering, handhelds/KDS, and clear pricing. Feature availability varies by plan and region.

Does Toast support online ordering and delivery tools?

Yes—most Toast setups include native online ordering or integrations for delivery and pickup. Exact options depend on plan and add‑ons offered by the vendor.

What payment processing does Toast use?

Toast typically bundles payment processing with its platform. Rates and terms can vary; request a current quote to confirm fees for your location and card mix.

Does Toast work with handhelds and KDS?

Handheld ordering and kitchen display systems are commonly supported by Toast. Hardware choices differ by deployment; check compatibility during the demo.

How do I schedule a Toast demo or pricing consult?

You can request a demo using the buttons on this page. We’ll pass you to the official Toast team so you receive up‑to‑date pricing and onboarding details.

Toast POS Review & Comparison for Restaurants

Quick Summary

TL;DR

The 30-second version for busy operators

Verdict: Best fit for full-service and multi-concept operators who want a unified stack (POS + online ordering + KDS + team/payroll).

Shines at: High-volume dining rooms, modifiers, expo/KDS, first-party ordering, and stable multi-unit rollout.

Know Before You Sign

Payments run through Toast; plans and hardware are bundled—optimize for stability over piecemeal hacks.

We're partners. If you click our Toast link, we may earn a referral. We still call it straight for operators.

Platform Overview

What Toast Does & Who It's For

Core Features

Unified Stack

POS & KDS: Kitchen display, expo, coursing, order routing.
Digital Storefront: First-party online ordering; marketplace handoff; delivery tools.
Marketing: Loyalty, gift cards, email tools.
Ops: Menu management, reporting, labor controls, Toast mobile order & pay.
Team & Payroll: Payroll/time; tip management.

Feature availability depends on plan/add-ons. Confirm with sales.

Who It's For

Best Fit

Full-service restaurants, bar-forward concepts, multi-unit groups.
Operators who value one vendor for POS, ordering, and team/payroll.
Shops that need durable, kitchen-tolerant hardware and clean FOH↔BOH hand-offs.

Investment

Pricing & Payments Reality

What to ask before you sign

Pricing Notes

Software tiers: Public entry points exist (e.g., entry bundles), with advanced suites for larger stacks.
Hardware: Purpose-built terminals/handhelds and KDS; mix and match per station.
Custom: Multi-unit and bundle discounts are negotiated—get quotes.

Avoid apples-to-oranges. Compare total cost of ownership: software + hardware + processing + add-ons + support.

Payments Reality

Get This In Writing

Toast processes payments on Toast; bring-your-own processor isn't supported.
Rates vary by plan, mix, and volume. Request your effective rate and all add-on fees in writing.
Contracts exist. Confirm renewal windows and early-exit language before you sign.

Processing Fees

Card Processing Snapshot

Illustrative U.S. ranges only

Example Rates

Card-present: ~2.3%–3.5% + $0.10–$0.25 per transaction
Card-not-present: typically +0.25–0.75 percentage points vs card-present
Other fees: chargebacks, refunds, subscriptions/add-ons can apply — ask for a full fee table

Request a formal quote from Toast for your actual pricing.

Get Toast Quotes

Hardware & Setup

Device Options & Ecosystem

Terminals & Handhelds

Hardware

Restaurant-grade touch terminals; spill/drop-tolerant handhelds.
Counter guest displays; tap-to-pay flows.

Kitchen Display (KDS)

BOH Ready

Ticket routing, expo views, timers, fire/hold.
Designed for heat, grease, and volume.

Setup & Scale

Cloud-Based

Cloud-based access; remote updates.
Standardize menus and reporting across locations.

Honest Take

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

Unified stack cuts "blame triangles" between vendors.
Strong KDS and modifier depth for busy dining rooms.
First-party ordering reduces marketplace margin drag.
Mature reporting; stable multi-unit deployment.

✗ Cons

Payments must run through Toast—no third-party processor.
Hardware investment vs. pure iPad fleets.
Contracts and add-on creep if you don't scope tightly.

Getting Started

Integrations & Migration Checklist

Integrations & Ecosystem

Delivery marketplaces (handoff), websites, and partner apps within Toast's ecosystem.
Inventory and analytics partners available for deeper ops.

Switching to Toast: Checklist

Before You Sign

Export menu & modifiers; map required options and pricing.
Label printers/KDS routing diagram (by station).
Payments: confirm effective rate, funding timing, chargeback process.
Payroll: decide if you'll bundle or keep your current provider.
Training plan: FOH, expo, kitchen; soft-open script for first week.

Options

Alternatives & Recommendations

Closest Alternatives

Lightspeed Restaurant: inventory-heavy, bar-forward workflows.
Clover: simpler SMB setup with an app market.
TouchBistro: iPad-centric table service.

What We Recommend

Shortlist 2–3 vendors, run a demo on your menu.
Get quotes apples-to-apples (devices, software, processor, add-ons).
Negotiate renewal, exit terms, and service credits before signing.

Get Toast Quotes Back to Comparisons

Common Questions

Toast POS FAQ

Does Toast require Toast Payments?

Required

Yes—card processing runs through Toast; bring-your-own isn't supported.

Does Toast have first-party online ordering?

Included

Yes. Toast offers first-party ordering plus marketplace handoff tools.

Is there a contract?

Verify Terms

Expect a term agreement. Length and fees vary—get the renewal and early-exit language in writing.

Is the hardware actually restaurant-grade?

Yes

Terminals/handhelds and KDS are designed for heat, grease, and high volume kitchens.