Best EPOS Systems for Takeaway Restaurants (UK 2026): Features, Costs & Top Picks Quick answer
The best EPOS system for a takeaway restaurant in the UK depends on how you take orders, how busy your kitchen is, whether you use delivery apps and whether you need online ordering, caller ID, kitchen printing or stock control.
For small takeaways, food trucks, pop-ups and quick-service businesses, Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are good low-cost options because they are simple to set up and can support payments, basic menus and sales reporting.
For busier takeaways, Chinese takeaways, pizza shops, fish and chip shops, kebab shops and multi-site food businesses, Epos Now, Lightspeed, ICRTouch, TouchBistro, Clover and Zonal are stronger options because they can support kitchen workflows, online orders, delivery integrations, menu management, staff permissions, reporting and stock control.
Best overall for low-cost takeaway EPOS: Square
Best for simple takeaway payments: SumUp
Best for PayPal-linked payments: PayPal POS, formerly Zettle
Best for growing takeaway restaurants: Epos Now
Best for high-volume food businesses: Lightspeed Restaurant
Best for table-service and takeaway mix: TouchBistro
Best for all-in-one EPOS and payments: Clover
Best for fast food and hospitality workflows: ICRTouch
Best for larger hospitality groups: Zonal or Tevalis
Takeaway EPOS systems can cost from £0/month for basic POS software to £50-£150+ per month for more advanced hospitality systems, before hardware, card processing, kitchen printers, delivery integrations, installation and support are included.
Compare takeaway EPOS quotes to find the best system for your order volume, kitchen setup and delivery needs.
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Contents
EPOS Systems For Takeaway Providers
Key Features to Look for in an EPOS System
How much does a takeaway EPOS system cost in the UK?
Limitations of EPOS Systems for Takeaway Restaurants
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: May 2026
Key Takeaways
Takeaway EPOS systems should be compared by order speed, delivery integrations, kitchen workflow and payment fees.
Small food businesses may only need simple POS software, a card reader and basic menu buttons.
Busy takeaways should prioritise kitchen printing, order management, delivery app integrations and reporting.
Delivery-heavy businesses should check how the EPOS handles Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat and direct online ordering.
Card processing fees and delivery platform costs can make a bigger difference than the monthly EPOS software fee.
A cheap EPOS system may not be the best value if it causes order errors, kitchen delays or poor stock visibility.
Compare software, hardware, payment fees, support, contract length and integration costs before signing.
What Makes an EPOS System Ideal for Takeaway Restaurants? Takeaway EPOS systems are designed for speed, volume and integration as unlike dine-in systems, they focus on handling online orders, third-party delivery platforms and fast payments with minimal staff input.
Best takeaway EPOS systems: quick comparison
EPOS provider Best for Typical takeaway fit Pricing style Main strengths
Square
Low-cost takeaway EPOS
Small takeaways, food trucks, pop-ups, quick-service venues
Free plan; paid restaurant plan available
Simple setup, payments, basic restaurant tools
SumUp Simple payments
Food stalls, small takeaways, mobile food businesses
Low-cost hardware plus fees
Easy card payments and low setup cost
PayPal POS PayPal-linked payments
Small takeaways, pop-ups, mobile sellers
Card reader/app-based setup
PayPal connection and simple POS tools
Epos Now Growing takeaway businesses
Takeaways, cafés, small restaurants, food-led SMEs
Hardware/software packages
Stock, reporting, payments and integrations
Lightspeed Restaurant
High-volume food businesses
Busy takeaways, quick-service restaurants, multi-site food businesses
From £79/month for first terminal
Reporting, inventory, order flows and integrations
ICRTouch Fast food and takeaway workflows
Takeaways, fish and chips, pizza, quick-service, pubs
Quote/package based
Fast order entry, hospitality tools, kiosks
TouchBistro
Mixed dine-in and takeaway
Restaurants with takeaway and table service
Subscription/quote-based
Menu management, staff workflows, tables and orders
Clover POS All-in-one EPOS and payments
Small takeaways, cafés, quick-service venues
Hardware and payment package
Till, payments, apps and staff tools
Zonal Larger hospitality groups
Multi-site food businesses, larger operators
Quote-based
Hospitality ecosystem, reporting and connected tools
Tevalis Larger hospitality and quick-service
Multi-site restaurants, hotels, venues
Quote-based
Advanced EPOS and integrations
Which takeaway EPOS system is best for your business?
Takeaway type Best providers to compare
Small takeaway
Square, SumUp, PayPal POS, Clover
Low setup cost, simple menu, fast payments
Chinese takeaway
Epos Now, ICRTouch, Lightspeed, Clover
Kitchen printing, phone orders, menu modifiers
Pizza shop
Epos Now, ICRTouch, Lightspeed, Square
Delivery orders, modifiers, kitchen workflow
Fish and chip shop
Square, Epos Now, Clover, ICRTouch
Speed, simple menus, queues, payments
Kebab shop
Epos Now, ICRTouch, Clover, Square
Modifiers, kitchen printing, fast order entry
Food truck
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Mobile payments, low upfront cost, simple setup
Quick-service restaurant
Square, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover
Fast checkout, kitchen display, reporting
Delivery-heavy takeaway
Lightspeed, Epos Now, ICRTouch, Zonal
Delivery apps, online ordering, reporting
Multi-site takeaway
Lightspeed, Zonal, Tevalis, Epos Now
Central reporting, permissions, stock, support
Dine-in and takeaway
TouchBistro, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover
Tables, takeaway orders, kitchen workflows
How much does a takeaway EPOS system cost in the UK? Takeaway EPOS costs vary depending on your provider, order volume, number of tills, payment terminals, kitchen printers, delivery integrations, software plan and support package.
Takeaway EPOS cost Typical UK cost
Basic POS software
£0/month, plus transaction fees
Simple card reader
Around £19-£100+ upfront
Tablet-based POS setup
Around £100-£500+ upfront
Full EPOS terminal
Around £300-£1,000+ upfront
Receipt printer
Around £100-£300+
Kitchen printer
Around £150-£300+
Kitchen display screen
Around £200-£800+
Basic EPOS software
£0-£50/month
Advanced takeaway/restaurant EPOS
£50-£150+/month
Multi-site hospitality EPOS
£100-£300+/month
Card transaction fees
Often around 1.5%-2.5%+ depending on provider and payment type
Delivery/order integrations
May be included, charged monthly or require third-party tools
What affects takeaway EPOS pricing?
Cost factor Why it matters
Number of tills
More tills usually increase hardware and software costs
Payment terminals
Integrated card terminals may be bundled or charged separately
Kitchen printers
Important for busy takeaways and food prep areas
Kitchen display system
Useful for high-volume kitchens but adds cost
Online ordering
May be included, add-on or third-party integration
Delivery app integrations
Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat connections may cost extra
Caller ID
Useful for phone orders but often requires specialist setup
Menu modifiers
Important for extras, sauces, toppings, allergens and meal deals
Staff accounts
Larger teams may need permissions and reporting
Stock control
Ingredient and product tracking may need higher-tier plans
Support level
Evening and weekend support is important for takeaways
Contract length
Check minimum term, renewal rules and cancellation fees
Transaction fees
These can outweigh monthly software fees for busy venues
What is a takeaway EPOS system? A takeaway EPOS system is an electronic point-of-sale system designed to help takeaway restaurants manage orders, payments, kitchen workflows and reporting.
Unlike a basic card machine or cash register, a takeaway EPOS system can help manage:
walk-in orders
phone orders
online orders
delivery app orders
menu items
meal deals
modifiers and extras
kitchen printing
kitchen display screens
payment processing
refunds and discounts
customer records
delivery or collection times
stock control
sales reporting
staff permissions
multi-site management
For a small food stall or simple takeaway, a basic POS app may be enough. For a busy takeaway managing phone, walk-in and delivery orders, a more advanced hospitality EPOS system will usually be better.
Key Features to Look for in EPOS Systems For Takeaway Restaurants
Feature
Why it matters for takeaways
Fast order entry
Helps staff process walk-in and phone orders quickly
Kitchen printing
Sends orders to the kitchen clearly and reduces mistakes
Kitchen display system
Helps busy kitchens track order status and prep times
Delivery integrations
Reduces manual rekeying from Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat
Online ordering
Lets customers order directly through your website or app
Caller ID
Speeds up repeat phone orders and customer lookup
Menu modifiers
Handles toppings, sauces, allergens, sides and meal deals
Collection/delivery times
Helps manage queues and customer expectations
Integrated payments
Reduces mistakes between the till and card terminal
Stock control
Helps monitor ingredients, packaging and high-volume products
Staff logins
Tracks discounts, refunds, voids and order handling
Reporting
Shows best sellers, peak times, order channels and margins
Offline mode
Helps keep trading if internet drops
Accounting integrations
Reduces bookkeeping admin
Multi-site tools
Useful for takeaway groups and franchises
Why EPOS systems are useful for takeaways A takeaway EPOS system can help reduce order errors, speed up service and give managers better control over sales and kitchen performance, and the main benefits include:
faster walk-in and phone order entry
fewer mistakes with modifiers and meal deals
clearer kitchen tickets
better delivery and collection time management
integrated card and contactless payments
improved stock control
better visibility of best-selling dishes
easier staff permissions and shift reporting
better online order handling
reduced manual rekeying from delivery platforms
clearer end-of-day reporting
support for future growth or extra sites
For takeaways, the biggest benefit is usually not just payments but is getting orders from customer to kitchen to collection or delivery with fewer mistakes.
Limitations of EPOS Systems for Takeaway Restaurants
Potential limitation What to check
Setup cost
Ask about hardware, installation, printers and training
Ongoing fees
Check software, support, integrations and payment fees
Delivery app integrations
Confirm whether Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat are supported
Internet reliance
Ask what happens if broadband drops during service
Kitchen workflow
Make sure order tickets and modifiers are clear
Staff training
Check how easy the system is for new staff
Contract length
Avoid being locked into a poor-fit system
Support hours
Takeaways need support during evenings and weekends
Data export
Ask whether customer, menu and sales data can be exported
Scalability
Check whether you can add tills, devices and locations later
How to choose the best EPOS system for your takeaway Before choosing a takeaway EPOS provider, ask:
How do you take most orders?
Walk-in, phone, website, app and delivery platform orders need different workflows.
Do you need delivery app integrations?
Check whether Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat orders can sync into the EPOS.
Do you need kitchen printing or KDS?
Busy kitchens need clear order routing and prep visibility.
How complex is your menu?
Pizza, kebab, Chinese and curry menus often need modifiers, meal deals and extras.
Do you need caller ID?
Phone-heavy takeaways may benefit from customer lookup and repeat order history.
What payment fees will you pay?
Card fees can cost more than the software subscription.
What support is available at night?
Takeaways often trade outside office hours, so support availability matters.
Can the system work offline?
Ask what happens to orders, kitchen tickets and payments if the internet drops.
What contract are you signing?
Check minimum term, cancellation fees, hardware ownership and renewal terms.
Can the system grow with your business?
Make sure you can add devices, sites, delivery channels and reporting as needed.
Compare Takeaway EPOS Systems
Why trust our takeaway EPOS reviews? At Compare Your Business Costs, we review EPOS systems from a UK small business and hospitality buyer’s perspective.
That means we focus on:
who each system is best for
who should compare alternatives
likely pricing and contract considerations
card processing fees
takeaway-specific features
delivery and kitchen workflows
hardware and support requirements
alternatives worth comparing
We do not recommend choosing a takeaway EPOS system based only on brand name or headline price. The right system depends on your order volume, menu complexity, delivery needs, payment setup, support requirements and budget.
Our verdict: what is the best EPOS system for takeaways?
For small takeaways, pop-ups, food trucks and simple quick-service venues, Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are good options to compare first because they are simple, low-commitment and payment-friendly.
For busier takeaways and growing food businesses, Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover and ICRTouch are usually stronger because they offer better order management, kitchen workflows, stock tools and reporting.
For mixed dine-in and takeaway restaurants, TouchBistro, Lightspeed and Epos Now are worth comparing.
For larger takeaway groups and hospitality operators, Zonal, Tevalis and Lightspeed are stronger options to compare because they offer more advanced hospitality workflows and multi-site control.
Bottom line:
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FAQs: takeaway EPOS systems What is the best EPOS system for takeaway restaurants in the UK?
The best takeaway EPOS system depends on your order volume and service style. Square is good for low-cost setup, Epos Now is useful for growing takeaway businesses, Lightspeed suits high-volume food businesses, ICRTouch is worth comparing for fast food workflows, and Clover can work well for all-in-one EPOS and payments.
How much does a takeaway EPOS system cost?
A takeaway EPOS system can cost from £0/month for basic POS software to £50-£150+ per month for more advanced hospitality software. Hardware, kitchen printers, payment terminals, delivery integrations, support and transaction fees can increase the total cost.
What is the cheapest EPOS system for a takeaway?
Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are often good low-cost options for small takeaways, food trucks and pop-ups. They are best for simple payments and basic reporting rather than advanced kitchen or delivery workflows.
Can takeaway EPOS systems integrate with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat?
Many takeaway EPOS systems can integrate with delivery platforms, but this varies by provider and package. Always check whether Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat integrations are included or charged separately.
Do takeaway EPOS systems support kitchen printing?
Yes. Many takeaway EPOS systems support kitchen printing, helping staff send orders clearly to the kitchen and reduce mistakes.
Do takeaway EPOS systems support online ordering?
Many modern takeaway EPOS systems support direct online ordering or integrations with online ordering platforms. Check whether this is included, charged separately or handled by a third-party integration.
Can EPOS systems manage phone orders?
Yes, some takeaway EPOS systems can support phone orders, customer records and caller ID. This is particularly useful for Chinese takeaways, pizza shops and other phone-heavy food businesses.
Can takeaway EPOS systems track stock ?
Yes. Many systems offer stock tracking and sales reporting. More advanced ingredient or menu-level stock control may require a paid plan or specialist hospitality EPOS.
Do takeaway EPOS systems work offline?
Some systems offer limited offline functionality, but this varies. Ask what happens to orders, kitchen tickets, payments and reporting if your internet connection drops.
Is Square good for takeaways?
Square can be a good option for small takeaways, food trucks and quick-service venues that want simple EPOS and payments. Larger delivery-heavy takeaways may need more advanced order and kitchen workflows.
Is Lightspeed good for takeaways?
Lightspeed can suit high-volume takeaways and quick-service restaurants that need stronger reporting, stock control, integrations and order management.
Is PayPal POS the same as Zettle?
PayPal POS is the current name for what was previously known as Zettle by PayPal. PayPal says its POS is no longer called Zettle, though existing accounts continue to operate in the same way.
Should I compare takeaway EPOS quotes before choosing?
Yes. Takeaway EPOS costs vary depending on software, hardware, card fees, support, kitchen tools, delivery integrations and contract terms. Comparing quotes helps you avoid overpaying and find the best fit for your food business.
Related EPOS Guides If you’re researching EPOS systems, the guides below cover costs, business types, providers, hardware and future trends in more detail.
EPOS costs & pricing
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Different industries need very different EPOS features. These guides focus on sector-specific requirements:
EPOS hardware & technology
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EPOS providers & software (full reviews)
Detailed, provider-specific reviews are covered separately to keep comparisons unbiased:
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For businesses needing deeper integrations and reporting:
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Understand how EPOS systems are evolving and how to compare options fairly:
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
