Split Bills, Tab Tracking & Speedy Service: EPOS for Modern UK Hospitality

In the present-day world of hospitality, which is characterised by rapid change and technological advancements, guests desire more than just excellent food and beverages — they desire fast, flexible, and frictionless service.

Payment processing, whether paying with separate checks at the table or starting a bar tab, can impede a business's ability to provide a positive experience and manage the flow of customers. UK hospitality organisations require technology as agile as their demands.

This brings us to modern EPOS systems for hospitality. Regardless of the venue — restaurant, pub, café, or fast-food outlet — having the correct solutions will both enhance and streamline service and operations.

But what, exactly, is an EPOS system?

To begin with, an EPOS – Electronic Point of Sale – refers to the combination of hardware (e.g., touchscreen terminals, card readers, kitchen display touchscreens) and software that helps businesses manage billing, payment processing, inventory, sales, and staff performance.

For the UK hospitality sector, EPOS systems for hospitality are specifically designed to meet the fast-paced demands of the industry, where speed and accuracy are paramount.

The Growing Popularity of Split Bills: Meeting Guest Expectations

The days of awkwardness at the table as everyone fumbles over who paid for what are officially over. Today, guests expect to split a bill on demand — particularly in restaurants, casual dining venues, and pubs.

With modern EPOS systems for restaurants, you can easily split the bill among guests in the following ways:

• By item (who ordered what);
• By seated area (if you’ve mapped the space);
• By custom amount (when one guest pays more or covers the tab).

This not only expedites the process, but it also improves accuracy, eliminates awkwardness among diners, and enhances the overall guest experience — which, in turn, helps increase table turnover.

Tab Management: Essential in Bars and Pubs

Opening and managing tabs at busy pubs and bars across the UK is common practice. Many customers prefer to start a tab, place orders throughout the evening, and settle up later — sometimes using multiple payment methods.

With a robust EPOS system for pubs, you can:

• Open and name tabs with guest details;
• Track ongoing orders;
• Easily split or transfer items between tabs;
• Prompt payment before the guest leaves.

Integrated card payment solutions make it simple to pre-authorise cards at the bar, reducing the risk of unpaid tabs.

Fast Service = Increased Sales

Speed of service is critical in hospitality — especially during peak times. A slow till, manual order-taking, or lack of front-of-house and kitchen integration can result in lost sales.

Here’s how EPOS systems for hospitality can help:

• Smart touchscreen layouts for faster order entry;
• Integrated kitchen display systems (KDS) for real-time communication;
• Portable tablets for tableside ordering;
• Self-service kiosks for takeaways and QSRs to reduce queues.

This leads to faster table turns, fewer errors, happier customers — and reduced pressure on your team.

Payments and Order at Table

Changing customer habits and hygiene considerations have made contactless payments and order-at-table solutions a must. In the UK, most guests now expect to tap and go — or order and pay directly from their mobile devices.

A cloud-based EPOS system for hospitality supports:

• Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major cards;
• QR codes for on-table mobile ordering;
• Integration with apps and third-party delivery services;
• Digital receipts and loyalty programmes.

These features enhance customer satisfaction, improve accuracy, and free up your staff from manual payment handling.

Real-Time Insights for Better Decisions

In a fast-moving hospitality business, timely decisions matter. A smart cloud-based EPOS system provides real-time insights into:

• Best-selling items;
• Staff performance;
• Table turnover rates;
• Hourly sales trends.

This level of visibility is essential, especially for multi-site operators. You can monitor stock levels, promotional performance, and overall operations — all from one dashboard.

Integrated Loyalty and Promotions

UK consumers appreciate value, and loyalty systems are a proven way to bring them back. With intelligent EPOS systems for restaurants, you can:

• Track customer visits and spending habits;
• Automatically apply points or discounts;
• Send targeted offers via email or SMS;
• Run time-based promotions based on item, day, or occasion.

These features boost average order values and improve repeat visit rates.

Selecting the Best EPOS System for UK Hospitality

When choosing from the many EPOS systems for hospitality, make sure to look for these essential features:

✅ Hospitality workflow tailored for your operations
✅ Split bill and tab management functionality
✅ Integrated card payments and mobile ordering
✅ Real-time cloud-based reporting
✅ Fast, durable hardware built for service environments
✅ UK-based installation and support teams

Why Choose EPOS Direct?

Thousands of hospitality businesses across the UK trust EPOS Direct to deliver award-winning EPOS systems for restaurants and hospitality venues.

From independent cafés to national pub chains, our systems are designed to scale with your business — offering speed, flexibility, and real-time insights.

Here’s what makes us stand out:

• Trusted by over 100,000 businesses globally
• UK-based support and onboarding
• All-in-one hardware and software packages
• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs

Final Thoughts

Hospitality is about delivering memorable experiences — and that starts with the right technology. Whether it’s split bills, tab tracking, faster service, or contactless payments, modern EPOS systems for hospitality enable your team to meet today’s customer expectations with ease.

Book your free demo with EPOS Direct today and discover how the right EPOS solution can elevate your hospitality business.