Complete guide: How POS works and how to use it efficiently
Discover how the modern POS integrated with your digital menu works — from activation and staff configuration, to the KDS system, bill splitting and multiple payment methods. Everything you need to know in a single guide.
Try Menivo for freeQuick setup
Activate the POS module in a few minutes and start processing orders immediately, without expensive hardware or lengthy preparation.
Complete staff management
Create individual accounts for each employee, assign roles and monitor activity in real time from any device.
Flexible payments
Accept cash, card, online or combined payments. The bill split function allows quick division of the amount among multiple customers.
How POS works — step-by-step guide
Follow these simple steps to configure and use your restaurant's POS module efficiently.
Activating the POS module
To understand how POS works, the first step is activating the module from the Menivo admin panel. Access the Settings → POS Module section and turn on the switch. Once activated, you will gain access to all table order management functions, including the cashier interface and integration with your digital QR menu. Make sure your restaurant is fully configured before activation — you can check our detailed guide on how to configure your restaurant settings so you don't miss any important step.
Creating and managing staff accounts
Once you know how POS works at a general level, the next step is adding your team members. From the Staff → Add employee section, fill in the name, email address and select the corresponding role: Waiter, Cashier or Manager. Each employee will receive a personal PIN or login credentials to access the POS interface from a tablet or terminal. Different roles offer different levels of access — for example, only managers can cancel orders or offer discounts.
Configuring the KDS (Kitchen Display System)
The KDS system is the digital screen installed in the kitchen or bar that displays orders in real time, immediately after they are placed from the POS interface. To configure it, access Settings → KDS and select the departments: Kitchen, Bar or Both. The KDS completely eliminates printed paper tickets, reduces communication errors and allows cooks to mark dishes as in preparation or ready to serve. These statuses are instantly visible on the waiter's interface as well. If you also use well-structured menu categories, the KDS will display dishes logically grouped by department.
Processing orders and managing tables
The main POS interface displays your restaurant's table map. The waiter selects the table, adds items from the menu (automatically synchronized with the digital QR menu), specifies quantities and sends the order. It arrives instantly on the KDS screen in the kitchen or bar. From the same screen you can modify an existing order, add additional items or transfer the order from one table to another without re-entering data from scratch. Items are displayed with prices, descriptions and, where applicable, allergen information — exactly like in the scannable digital menu.
Bill splitting — dividing the bill among customers
One of the functions most appreciated by waiters is bill splitting. This allows the payment bill to be divided in several ways: equally among all diners, by selected items or custom amounts. At the end of the meal, the waiter accesses the Split Bill option, selects the desired split method and generates separate receipts for each customer. Each receipt can be paid using a different payment method — one by card, another with cash — with no additional complications. This feature significantly reduces time spent at the register and eliminates manual calculations that often generate errors.
Available payment methods
The POS module supports multiple payment methods to satisfy any customer's preferences. You can accept: cash (with automatic change calculation), bank card through an integrated physical POS terminal, mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay), meal vouchers / tickets and online payment in advance for pickup or delivery orders. All transactions are automatically recorded in the daily reports, making cash register closing a simple and transparent process. For online orders placed through the online ordering module, payment is processed digitally and automatically marked in the system.
Reports, statistics and cash register closing
At the end of the day or shift, access the Reports section of the POS module to view: total sales by payment method, number of tables served, best-selling products and each waiter's performance. Closing the register automatically generates a detailed report in PDF format, ideal for accounting. All data is stored in the cloud and accessible anytime from the Menivo admin panel. If you also use the sales growth strategies recommended by Menivo, POS reports will show you exactly which initiatives work best.
What you need to use the POS module
Check this list before activating the POS to make sure everything is ready.
- An active Menivo account with a subscription that includes access to the POS module — check the guide for choosing the right subscription.
- The digital menu fully configured with categories, products, prices and updated allergens — see the complete tutorial for adding products.
- At least one device (tablet or laptop) with a modern browser and a stable internet connection for the waiter interface.
- A secondary screen or tablet mounted in the kitchen / at the bar for the KDS system, with access to the restaurant's Wi-Fi network.
- A compatible physical POS terminal or card reader for processing bank card payments.
- Staff accounts created and configured with correct roles for each employee who will use the system.
- A backup plan (e.g. thermal receipt printer) in case of temporary internet interruptions.
- Restaurant settings fully completed: name, address, opening hours and logo — required for automatically generated fiscal receipts.
Frequently asked questions about how POS works
Can I use the POS without an internet connection?
The Menivo POS module mainly works online, with real-time synchronization. We recommend a stable Wi-Fi connection in the restaurant. For emergency situations, it is useful to have a backup solution (mobile data on the device or a local thermal printer).
How many employees can use the POS simultaneously?
There is no fixed limit of concurrent users. You can create accounts for all your waiters, cashiers and managers, and they can work simultaneously on different devices without conflicts.
Does the POS automatically sync with the digital QR menu?
Yes. Any change made to your digital menu (new price, new product, unavailable product) is automatically reflected in the POS interface as well, in real time. You don't need to update product lists in two separate places.
Can I generate fiscal receipts directly from the POS?
Yes, the Menivo POS module supports generating fiscal receipts, provided that the restaurant's fiscal data (tax ID, address, receipt series) is fully configured in the account settings.
Ready to implement POS in your restaurant?
Join thousands of restaurants that have transformed the way they manage orders, payments and staff — with Menivo. Try it free today and discover for yourself how modern POS works.
Activate POS for freeSee a brief overview of Menivo's POS module: tables, table orders, bill splitting and fiscal receipts, all in one place.
