Monday, March 9, 2026

Square Register — Better Pricing & White‑Glove Support From The Cash Register Guys

Upgrade to Square Register — With Better Pricing & White‑Glove Support

Buy from The Cash Register Guys, Your Authorized Square Dealer

Get the same official Square Register with lower hardware pricing, expert setup, and real human support.
Stop buying direct — get more value, more guidance, and a smoother experience.

๐Ÿ”— Order Now: https://www.cashregisterguys.com/squareregister.html
๐Ÿ“ž Call 800‑863‑2274 for Expert Assistance

Better Price. Better Support. Better Square Experience.


Square Register — Better Pricing & White‑Glove Support From The Cash Register Guys

The Best Way to Buy Your Square Register Starts Right Here

Square Register is one of the most intuitive, modern, and reliable POS systems available today. But here’s something most business owners don’t realize:
You don’t have to buy your Square hardware directly from Square.

Through Square’s new Authorized Dealer Program, you can now purchase your Square Register from The Cash Register Guys — and get benefits that Square simply doesn’t offer on its own.

When you buy from us, you get better pricing, white‑glove support, and expert guidance from a team with over 30 years of POS experience.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Visit the product page: https://www.cashregisterguys.com/squareregister.html
๐Ÿ“ž Call us anytime: 800‑863‑2274


⭐ Why Buy Your Square Register From The Cash Register Guys?

๐Ÿงค White‑Glove Support From Real POS Experts

Square’s software is powerful, but setup and configuration can still feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

When you purchase your Square Register from us, you get:

  • Personalized onboarding
  • Hardware recommendations tailored to your business
  • Menu, inventory, and workflow guidance
  • Real human support — not a chatbot
  • Help before, during, and after installation

We don’t just ship hardware. We make sure your system works perfectly for your business.


๐Ÿ’ธ Better Pricing Than Buying Direct From Square

Because we’re part of Square’s new Dealer Program, we can offer lower hardware pricing than Square’s website.

You get:

  • The same official Square Register
  • Full Square warranty
  • Better upfront cost
  • Expert support included

Same hardware. Better price. Better experience.


๐Ÿ†• Powered by Square’s New Dealer Program

Square created this program to give business owners something they’ve been asking for:
hands‑on, personalized support from trained professionals.

Buying from an authorized dealer gives you:

  • A dedicated support partner
  • Hardware guidance from POS specialists
  • A smoother setup experience
  • Someone to call when you need help

This is a major upgrade from the traditional “self‑serve” Square model.


๐Ÿ“ฆ What’s Included With Square Register

  • All‑in‑one POS terminal
  • Customer‑facing display
  • Built‑in card reader
  • Fast, intuitive touchscreen
  • Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and USB connectivity
  • Full access to Square’s POS software ecosystem

Perfect for:

  • Restaurants
  • Retail stores
  • Boutiques
  • Salons & spas
  • Food trucks
  • Service businesses

๐Ÿš€ Why Businesses Trust The Cash Register Guys

We’ve helped thousands of businesses choose the right POS system and keep it running smoothly. With us, you get:

  • Decades of POS experience
  • Personalized support
  • Better pricing
  • A long‑term partner who understands your business

Square is powerful. We help you unlock all of that power from day one.


Ready to Get Started?

Upgrade your business with Square Register — and get the support and pricing you deserve.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Order now or request a quote:
https://www.cashregisterguys.com/squareregister.html

๐Ÿ“ž Call us at 800‑863‑2274 for expert guidance and white‑glove support.


Monday, February 16, 2026

Why 2026 Is the Best Time for Seattle–Tacoma Businesses to Reevaluate Their POS Contract

Why 2026 Is the Year to Reevaluate Your POS Contract

Seattle–Tacoma Restaurants, C‑Stores, and Retailers Are Seeing Big Changes—Here’s What to Watch For

If you run a restaurant, convenience store, smoke shop, or neighborhood market in the Seattle–Tacoma area, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major shifts in the POS world. National POS providers are rolling out new contract terms, raising processing fees, and pushing hardware refresh cycles that many operators didn’t see coming.

For a lot of businesses, this is the perfect moment to pause and ask a simple question:
Is your POS contract still working for you—or is it quietly costing you more than it should?


1. Fee Creep Is Real—and It’s Accelerating

Over the past year, many national POS companies have introduced:

  • Higher monthly software fees
  • New “compliance” or “support” surcharges
  • Increased payment processing rates
  • Mandatory add‑ons that used to be optional

These increases often show up mid‑contract, buried in fine print, or disguised as “industry adjustments.” For operators already dealing with rising labor and food costs, these surprise fees hit hard.

2026 is the year to pull out your contract and look closely at what you’re actually paying.


2. Hardware Refresh Cycles Are Being Forced Earlier

Several national POS brands are sunsetting older terminals and printers, pushing operators to upgrade hardware sooner than expected.

The problem?

  • The new hardware is often locked to their software
  • You may be required to sign a new multi‑year contract
  • “Free hardware” usually means higher processing rates or long-term commitments

If your system is working fine, you shouldn’t be forced into a refresh just because a national provider wants to boost revenue.


3. Support Quality Has Declined While Wait Times Have Increased

This is one of the biggest complaints we hear from Seattle–Tacoma operators switching to NBS.

Many national POS companies have:

  • Outsourced support
  • Reduced on‑site service
  • Increased reliance on chatbots or email-only help
  • Longer wait times during peak hours

When your system goes down at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday, you need a real technician—not a ticket number.


4. Contract Auto‑Renewals Are Catching Operators Off Guard

A lot of POS contracts now include:

  • 1–3 year auto‑renewals
  • 30‑day cancellation windows
  • Early termination fees that can exceed $1,000

If you don’t review your contract before renewal hits, you may be locked in for another multi‑year term without realizing it.


5. You Have More Local Options Than Ever

The biggest misconception we hear is:
“I thought I had to go with a national POS company.”

Not true.
Local POS providers—like National Business Systems—offer:

  • Transparent pricing
  • No long-term contracts
  • Local technicians who show up on-site
  • Hardware you own, not rent
  • Real relationships with operators in the Puget Sound region

In a year of rising fees and shrinking support, local matters more than ever.


How to Review Your POS Contract in 2026

Here’s a simple checklist you can use today:

Look for these red flags:

  • Processing rate increases
  • New monthly fees
  • Auto‑renewal clauses
  • Required hardware upgrades
  • Long-term commitments tied to “free” equipment
  • Support limitations or offshore-only service

Ask yourself:

  • Are you paying more than you were a year ago?
  • Are you getting the support you were promised?
  • Do you feel locked in?
  • Does your POS partner actually know your business?

If the answer to any of these is “no,” it’s time to explore alternatives.


Final Thought

2026 is a turning point in the POS industry. National providers are tightening contracts and raising fees, but Seattle–Tacoma operators don’t have to accept that as the new normal.

A quick contract review could save you thousands—and give you the freedom to choose a POS partner who actually shows up when you need them.


Ready to Review Your POS Contract? Talk to a Local Expert Who Actually Shows Up.

If you’re unsure whether your current POS contract is costing you more than it should, National Business Systems can help. We’ve supported restaurants, convenience stores, smoke shops, and neighborhood markets across the Puget Sound for over 45 years — with transparent pricing, no long‑term contracts, and real local technicians who come on‑site when you need them.

Call National Business Systems at 800‑863‑2274 or visit www.nbsystems.com to schedule a free contract review.
No pressure. No sales gimmicks. Just honest guidance from a local team that puts your business first.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Toast Raises Fees Again: Why Washington Restaurants Are Paying More and What Local Alternatives Offer

Toast Quietly Raises Fees Again — And Washington Restaurants Are Paying the Price

Running a restaurant in Washington has never been easy, and the last thing operators need is another round of surprise cost increases. Yet that’s exactly what Toast has delivered. According to reporting from Reforming Retail on February 10, 2026, Toast quietly raised both its credit‑card processing rates and its software subscription fees, adding new expenses for restaurants without offering any additional value in return.

For a typical Washington restaurant doing about $1.1 million in annual sales, these changes add up quickly—and most operators won’t notice the impact until it’s already hitting their bottom line.


1. How Much More Will Restaurants Pay in Processing Fees?

Toast increased processing rates by:

  • +10 basis points on Visa and Mastercard
  • +21 basis points on American Express

Using a realistic card mix—80% Visa/Mastercard and 20% Amex—the math is straightforward:

[ 1{,}100{,}000 \times (0.8 \times 0.001 + 0.2 \times 0.0021) = 1{,}342 ]

That means the average Washington restaurant will now pay about $1,342 more per year in processing fees alone.

This isn’t tied to new features, better service, or improved reliability. It’s simply a cost increase passed directly to restaurants.


2. Toast Also Raised Subscription Fees by 5%

Toast’s software pricing varies widely, but most single‑location restaurants in Washington end up paying around $200–$250 per month once they add the modules Toast strongly encourages—online ordering, gift cards, loyalty, marketing, etc.

Using a realistic average of $225/month, a 5% increase adds:

  • $11–$12 more per month
  • ≈ $135 more per year

It’s not a huge number on its own, but combined with the processing increase, it becomes part of a much bigger pattern.


3. Total Annual Impact: About $1,475 More Per Year

When you combine:

  • $1,342 in new processing fees
  • $135 in subscription increases

The average Washington restaurant on Toast will now pay around $1,475 more every year—again, with no added value.

For an industry where margins are already razor‑thin, these quiet increases matter.


Why National POS Providers Keep Raising Fees

Toast isn’t doing anything unusual for a national POS provider. Their business model depends on:

  • Bundled payment processing
  • Long‑term contracts
  • Add‑on modules that increase monthly spend
  • Fee increases that most operators don’t notice until renewal

When a company serves hundreds of thousands of restaurants nationwide, even a small increase—10 basis points here, 5% there—translates into massive revenue gains.

For the restaurant, though, it’s just another unexpected cost.


Why Local POS VARs Are Becoming the Smarter Alternative

Washington restaurants don’t have to accept this “take it or leave it” model. Local POS value‑added resellers (VARs) offer a fundamentally different approach—one built on transparency, accountability, and long‑term relationships.

Here’s how local VARs stand apart:


1. Transparent, Predictable Pricing

Local VARs don’t rely on hidden fees or surprise increases.
Pricing is:

  • Clear
  • Stable
  • Discussed openly
  • Based on what the restaurant actually needs

When something changes, operators hear it from a real person—not a billing notice.


2. Real Local Support (Not a Call Center)

When a restaurant’s POS goes down on a Friday night, they don’t need a chatbot or a ticket number—they need someone who can actually show up.

Local VARs provide:

  • On‑site support
  • Fast response times
  • Technicians who know the restaurant’s setup
  • A relationship, not a queue number

This is the kind of service national providers simply cannot replicate.


3. No Forced Processing Bundles

Most local VARs let restaurants choose their own payment processor—or at least offer transparent, competitive rates.

That means:

  • No surprise basis‑point increases
  • No locked‑in processing contracts
  • No “take it or leave it” pricing

Restaurants regain control over one of their largest expenses.


4. A Relationship, Not a Subscription

National POS companies scale by volume.
Local VARs grow by reputation.

That difference shows up in:

  • How they answer the phone
  • How they train staff
  • How they handle emergencies
  • How they treat long‑term customers

Restaurants aren’t just accounts—they’re partners.


The Bottom Line

Toast’s latest fee increases may look small on paper, but for the average Washington restaurant, they add up to nearly $1,500 in new annual costs—with no added value. It’s a reminder that national POS providers are built to serve shareholders, not local operators.

Local POS VARs offer a better path: transparent pricing, real support, and a relationship‑driven approach that puts restaurants first.


Call to Action: Choose a Partner Who Actually Shows Up — National Business Systems, Inc.

If you’re tired of surprise fees, long hold times, and one‑size‑fits‑all national systems, it’s time to work with a team that’s been supporting Washington restaurants for over 40 years.

National Business Systems, Inc. is a locally owned, relationship‑driven POS provider serving Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, and the entire Puget Sound region. We offer:

  • Transparent, stable pricing
  • On‑site installation and support
  • Flexible processing options
  • Real technicians who know your business
  • A long‑term partnership—not a contract trap

When your restaurant needs help, we’re not a call center.
We’re your neighbors.

Contact National Business Systems, Inc.
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 839‑9636
๐ŸŒ www.nbsystems.com

If you’re ready to take back control of your POS costs and work with a team that puts Washington restaurants first, reach out today.


Tuesday, February 10, 2026

How Toast’s Rising Credit Card Rates Hurt Restaurants — And the Local Alternative That Doesn’t

 Toast vs. SpotOn vs. National Business Systems: Why Seattle Restaurants Are Choosing Local Over National POS Giants

Seattle and Puget Sound restaurant operators are some of the most resilient in the country. They navigate high labor costs, strict regulations, and intense competition — all while trying to deliver unforgettable dining experiences. What they shouldn’t have to navigate is a POS provider quietly raising fees once they’re locked in.

Yet that’s exactly what many restaurants experience with national POS companies like Toast and SpotOn.

National Business Systems (NBS) offers a fundamentally different model — one built on transparency, local accountability, and long-term partnership. Here’s how the three stack up, especially when it comes to the issue hurting restaurants most: credit card processing rate hikes.


1. Credit Card Processing Rates: The Silent Profit Center

Toast

Toast has become widely known for raising credit card processing rates after restaurants are fully onboarded. Operators across the PNW report the same pattern:

  • Rates start competitive
  • Then they increase — sometimes multiple times
  • Restaurants have no ability to negotiate
  • And no way to stop the increases

Why? Because Toast controls both the POS and the payment processing. Once a restaurant is locked into their ecosystem, Toast can adjust rates at will. And because the contract ties hardware, software, and processing together, restaurants can’t opt out without paying steep penalties or replacing their entire system.

In other words: once you’re in, you’re stuck — and Toast knows it.

SpotOn

SpotOn also uses processing as a major revenue driver. While their increases may be less publicized, operators still report:

  • Variable processing rates
  • Sudden changes in monthly fees
  • Limited transparency about how rates are calculated

SpotOn’s model still ties restaurants to long-term agreements that make switching costly and disruptive.

National Business Systems

NBS takes the opposite approach:

  • Transparent, stable processing rates
  • No surprise increases
  • No forced processing contracts
  • No “gotcha” clauses that trap restaurants

Restaurants stay with NBS because they’re supported — not because they’re locked into a payment contract they can’t escape.


2. Support: Local Accountability vs. National Call Centers

Toast

  • Remote-only support
  • Long wait times during peak hours
  • No local technicians to show up when hardware fails

SpotOn

  • Mix of remote support and limited field reps
  • Hardware issues often require shipping equipment back and forth

National Business Systems

  • Local, on-site technicians across Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, and the entire Puget Sound
  • Fast response times
  • Real relationships with operators

When your kitchen printer dies at 6 p.m. on a Friday, a call center isn’t going to save your dinner rush. NBS will.


3. Contracts and Flexibility

Toast

  • Long-term contracts
  • Auto-renewal clauses
  • Early termination fees
  • Hardware and software tightly bundled

This is why restaurants can’t stop Toast from raising rates — the contract structure gives them all the leverage.

SpotOn

  • Multi-year agreements
  • Early termination penalties
  • Bundled features that make switching difficult

National Business Systems

  • Flexible agreements
  • No predatory contract terms
  • No forced processing
  • No penalties designed to trap restaurants

Freedom matters — especially in a market as dynamic as Seattle.


4. Understanding the PNW Restaurant Landscape

Toast & SpotOn

  • National companies with national priorities
  • Limited understanding of Washington labor laws, Seattle service models, or local compliance requirements
  • One-size-fits-all approach

National Business Systems

  • 40+ years serving the Pacific Northwest
  • Deep knowledge of local regulations and workflows
  • Systems configured correctly the first time

Local expertise isn’t a bonus — it’s essential.


5. Long-Term Partnership vs. Short-Term Revenue

Toast & SpotOn

  • Venture-backed
  • Growth-driven
  • Dependent on increasing processing revenue

National Business Systems

  • Family-owned
  • Community-rooted
  • Focused on long-term relationships, not squeezing merchants

Seattle restaurants value partners who show up, stand behind their pricing, and treat them like neighbors. That’s NBS.


The Bottom Line: Seattle Restaurants Deserve Better Than Rate Hikes They Can’t Stop

Toast and SpotOn offer slick marketing and national branding — but their business models rely on locking restaurants into long-term contracts and raising rates once switching becomes too painful.

National Business Systems offers something fundamentally different:

  • Transparent, stable pricing
  • No forced processing
  • Local accountability
  • Real relationships
  • A team that shows up when you need them

In a region built on independent restaurants, creativity, and community, NBS is the POS partner that reflects those values — not exploits them.

National Business Systems
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 839‑9636

Monday, February 9, 2026

Should you select a local POS company over a National provider

Why Restaurants in the PNW Should Choose a Local POS VAR

The Pacific Northwest restaurant scene is built on relationships, trust, and community. When it comes to choosing a POS system, operators in Washington and Oregon have a clear advantage when they work with a local POS Value‑Added Reseller (VAR) instead of a national provider. Here’s why partnering locally makes all the difference.


1. The PNW Runs on Relationships, Not Call Centers

Restaurant owners in the PNW don’t want to wait on hold with a support agent in another time zone. They want a real human who understands their business and their community.

A local VAR provides:

  • Personal relationships
  • On‑site support
  • A familiar face who knows the local restaurant landscape

When the dinner rush hits and something breaks, that matters.


2. Faster Response Times — Because You’re Actually Here

National POS companies promise “24/7 support,” but that usually means:

  • Long hold times
  • Scripted troubleshooting
  • No physical presence

A local VAR can often be on‑site same day, sometimes same hour. In a region where service expectations are high, that speed is a major advantage.


3. Local Knowledge of Regulations and Workflows

The PNW has unique operational requirements:

  • Washington’s labor laws
  • Oregon’s no‑sales‑tax environment
  • Local health department rules
  • Regional tipping norms
  • High minimum wage compliance

A local VAR understands these nuances and configures systems correctly the first time. National providers simply can’t match that level of regional expertise.


4. Better Support for Independent Restaurants

The PNW is known for:

  • Chef‑driven concepts
  • Craft breweries
  • Food trucks
  • Family‑owned restaurants
  • Multi‑concept local groups

These operators value personalized service, not cookie‑cutter solutions. A local VAR can tailor workflows, train staff on‑site, and build long‑term relationships that national companies aren’t structured to provide.


5. True White‑Glove Service

Local VARs don’t just ship boxes. They:

  • Install hardware
  • Run cable
  • Mount terminals
  • Configure printers and KDS
  • Train staff
  • Stay until the restaurant is fully comfortable

This level of care is something national POS companies simply don’t offer.


6. The PNW Weather Makes Remote Support Unrealistic

Power outages, storms, and connectivity issues are common in the region. When something goes wrong, a local VAR can physically troubleshoot. A national provider can only say, “Try rebooting.”


7. Local Accountability Beats National Bureaucracy

With a local VAR:

  • You know who to call
  • You know who will show up
  • You know the person is invested in your success

With a national provider:

  • Reps churn
  • Support teams rotate
  • Promises get lost

Local VARs build trust, not transactions.


8. Supporting the Local Economy Matters

Restaurants in the PNW care about community. Choosing a local VAR means:

  • Supporting local jobs
  • Keeping money in the region
  • Strengthening the local hospitality ecosystem

It’s a values‑aligned decision.


Restaurants in the Seattle area choose National Business Systems because they want a POS partner who actually shows up, understands the local restaurant landscape, and delivers true white‑glove service. With decades of experience in the PNW, NBS provides fast on‑site support, expert installation, and personalized guidance that national POS companies simply can’t match. Seattle operators trust NBS because they’re local, reliable, and committed to keeping restaurants running smoothly—day after day, rush after rush. Call us at 253-839-9636 or visit our site Local POS provider in the PNW



Friday, March 7, 2025

Cash Register Express Systems and support in the Seattle Tacoma Area

 

National Business Systems Inc, is your place for Cash Register Express sales and support

With now over fifty years experience in the POS business National Business Systems has come to be the POS dealer the Pacific NW leans on for Cash Register Express. If you are looking for a POS system that is feature rich than look no further that Cash Register Express (CRE). You will find CRE has features that the flashy cloud based systems still don't have. We have replaced many cloud based systems with CRE because it does retail right. Just as an example CRE sorts EBT eligible items the proper way inside a single sale . CRE has Case/Pack inventory management, CRE scans price embedded bar codes and much more.

Other things end-users of CRE really appreciate is that it is not cloud based. You can also purchase CRE outright instead of paying for it as a subscription like the cloud based systems. Most importantly is you can use any credit card processor you want, you won't be trapped to a single processor like all the other systems.  

Here at National Business Systems, we help end-users with CRE but we also help ISO's and Banks with their customers CRE. Give us a call at 800-863-2274 if you are looking to buy a CRE system or perhaps get support or need to switch processors. Lets talk about it and see if we can help you. You can also find us here Cash Register Express in Seattle. 

Friday, September 18, 2020

Do you need help getting your restaurant online? Heartland restaurant POS is what you need.

 

Add Online Ordering for your restaurant quickly at a great price

Now that we are pretty deep into the Covid-19 lock down restaurants are still behind the curve in getting their restaurants online. Sure outdoor dining is OK, but lets face it we are in Seattle and outdoor dining does not last very long! A standard feature of the Heartland Restaurant Point of Sale is Online Ordering. Even if you already have a POS system you could just add this product just for the Online Ordering.

Heartland Restaurant Online Ordering is mobile friendly too.

Your guest want to place an order from where they are, in the car, the office or from home. Our Online Ordering system (OLO) is responsive so regardless of the device your guest are ordering from we make it easy. The ease of use does not stop there though, we have made it easy for you too, the restaurant operator. Don't worry that you don't know anything about website hosting we have you covered.

Low cost and quickly deployed Heartland Restaurant Online Ordering will have guest placing orders before you know it.

In the Seattle Tacoma Area contact us to arrange a demonstration of this amazing system. We can practice social distancing using Zoom! Even our meeting to implement your system will all be done remotely. Call us at 253-839-9636 and ask to speak to someone regarding Heartland Restaurant Point of Sale system. Learn more about restaurant online ordering here. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Welcome Heartland Retail Point of Sale system to Seattle!

 

Heartland Retail Point of Sale Now Available in Seattle 

Are you ready for a complete omni-channel retail Point of Sale system in the Seattle Tacoma area? Of course you are, we have all been waiting for a complete POS system that connects your bricks and motar store to your website. Now your customers can shop your store regardless of where they are, online, in person, mobile all come together now. 


A Cloud Based POS system built for the modern retailer

The Heartland Retail System unchains you from the restraints a common POS has kept you in for years. Your customers will be able to shop your online store with confidence that the items they buy from you will be in stock and shipped right away. That is because Heartland Retail is truly a omni-channel POS system with interfaces to the powerhouse online retail giants like Shopify, BigCommerce or Magento. Whether you sell an item online or in your store your inventory will be accurate and you will know what to order. 


Find out more from your local Seattle Tacoma area Point of sale dealer

National Business Systems in your local Heartland Retail Point of sale dealer. Give us a call at 800-863-2274 to schedule a demonstration or to have your questions answered. We can arrange an in-person demo or online of course. For more information click on the Heartland Retail Point of Sale System in Seattle 

 


Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Have you considered the Heartland Guest App for your restaurant?

Lets your customers take you with them with the Guest App

Because the Heartland Restaurant POS is cloud based it empowers you with value added features like the Guest App. The Heartland Guest App is something your guest can download onto their own mobile phone and interact with your restaurant. The application is free to both your the restaurant owner and the guest. 

How would you like to notify a potential guest walking down the street about your restaurant?

When someone has downloaded the Heartland Guest Application your restaurant can send them an alert when they are near your place. Yes you heard that right, lets say a person is walking downtown Seattle and they come close to your restaurant. As soon as that person's phone is in range of the proximity beacon technology their phone will get an alert about your restaurant. It is that easy and it's free! Users of the App will be drawn to your place because they know with the App they can Skip the Line or Scam to Pay. 

Let us demonstrate how the Free Guest App can help you engage with current and future guest.

We can meet with you in person in the Seattle-Tacoma area for a no obligation demonstration of the powerful restaurant technology. If you don't have time we can hold a virtual demo online. In Eastern Washington we have an office in the Yakima area. Give us a call at 800-863-2274 or online at Heartland POS Seattle.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Staffing is a serious issue for Seattle Restaurants right now

short staff is hurting Seattle restaurants

Could a POS system help you during staff shortages?

Restaurants in Seattle and Tacoma are facing staff shortages as well as higher labor cost. This issue can be seen as a catch 22 of course. Part of this issue is brought on by a strong robust economy which results in full employment. certainly a better issue than one we were all facing  a decade ago when 100 people showed up for every open position and underemployment put a damper on restaurant spending. A quick glance around at the news and industry publications report many different ways restaurants are combating and winning this battle. Select a modern POS system that can put another arrow in your quiver. A POS system can help you with some labor issues.

How could a POS system help me with labor issues?

Well it depends on your concept of course but in many businesses it can make a huge impact. For the fast casual or restaurant that does a great amount of carryout or perhaps wants to grow that space online ordering hits the target. We have all been there right, we order lunch over the phone and go to collect it. We are waiting to pay for and leave with our order because the restaurant's staff is taking phone orders while trying to serve customers in from of them. Get that person off the phone and collecting for and handing out orders. Part of it is educating guest that you offer online assuming you do. If you don't why don't you? It is no longer an expensive mystery to do so. Heartland Restaurant POS includes an online ordering portal. It is not another product you are having to integrate with it's native in the system. Your staff will be happier too when they aren't attached to the phone any longer! Plus the order is already been paid for so you are not getting stiffed. Another benefit is the server does not have to handle payment, it's already done!

Deploy Kiosk in your restaurant to do more with less

This solves several problems. The first one is cashiers/servers will be serving food not ringing up items, second guest hate waiting in line. I'll use myself as an example. You know it's true we all enjoy the guilty pleasure of the Costco food court right? Well the last few years the lines are out of control and I skip right on buy them. Then something magical happens overnight! They installed Kiosk in the Seattle-Tacoma area Costco I shop at. This cleared the lines and put more people to work serving orders not taking orders. This example also proves the point Kiosk are not for everyone, because they clearly are not. At this same Costco they kept two register lines for people  to stand in if they don't use the Kiosk. I'm shocked every time I go in that they are still a mile long. It's not because people aren't engaging with the Kiosk because they are. So for people that use technology it's good, for people that don't they don't have too! 

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Will Restaurant POS Kiosk stations be embraced in Seattle



We have deployed several restaurants in Seattle with POS Kiosk and the results are awesome

There are several demographics of customers that expect you to have a self ordering Kiosk. In Seattle we have always been early adopters of technology and kiosk terminals are no exception. Of course not each restaurant is the same and you should make certain you clientele would benefit just as much as you would from a kiosk. I would not recommend installing one simply to cut back on labor. Of course there are times when that may need to happen but focus on customer service and engagement not only labor cost.


How to know if your restaurant will benefit from a POS Kiosk

Like I mentioned above labor cost alone should probably not be the deciding factor alone. The better metric is customer engagement. As a restaurant owner you are facing competition from all sides. Engaging your customer and improving their experience is the key to return customers. So you are probably saying what the hell does that mean, right? It is far more simple than we think. Let's say you you want to attract a business lunch crowd to your fast casual concept. You have great food, you have a great location and signage. However if you have long lines or wait times customers like me will go right on by looking for a better ordering experience. Installing a few Kiosk to augment your counter terminals is a solid strategy. Don't make your clients do one or the other, let them use the method they like. You will find many will gravitate to the Kiosk and others will wait in line. There are other ways your POS system can engage customers but simply adding Kiosk is a wonderful way to start. It is a simple and affordable investment to find out. 


Contact your Heartland Dealer in the Seattle Tacoma Area

Here at National Business Systems we have been installing POS systems since the days of DOS and now we are installing cutting edge cloud based iPad restaurant solutions that do more than ever. Give us a call at 800-863-2274 to schedule on online or in person demonstration. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Square users are going to be paying a lot more in fees starting November 2019

It seems the party is over for Square customers with low cost rates. This November 2019 their rates are going to more than double in some cases. Look at the examples below at what a merchant will now pay compared to what they have been paying.

Old Square Plan
$5 transaction x 2.75% fee x 100 transactions per day x 365 days = $4,745 per year
New Square Plan
$5 transaction x (2.6% + 10¢ fee) x 100 transactions per day x 365 days = $8,395 per year
With Square’s new pricing, that’s a 77% increase in fees.
It took awhile for the real world to catch up with Square who has been offering services at what seemed to be below cost for years. Industry insiders continued to yell it from the rooftops that it was to good to be true. Everyone knew they were buying business with rates too low to be true. It seems their low rates chickens have finally come home to roost! 
Now is the time to ditch your square for a real system. Check out these POS systems available in Seattle or give us a call at 253-839-9636 before Square doubles your cost of doing business. If you happen to be on the other side of the pass contact Gary with our POS Yakima office. 

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Will you engage your guest with technology before your competition does?

Technology like Heartland Restaurant POS is changing the way you can engage with your guest. Below check out this video where an iconic local restaurant in Pullman Washington underwent a change in ownership and technology. Your modern diner expects you to deploy technology that will empower them to do business with you be it online ordering, mobile app or self serve kiosk just for starters. 



We would love to show you how to deploy this same POS technology in your establishment. If you wait until it's too late all your competition will beat you to the punch and lure your guest away. We all know it starts with the food and service but don't stop there. Combine your good reputation by making it easy for your guest to do business with you wherever they are. Put yourself in their shoes, it's a dark rainy winter night and you need to pick something up on the way home. Are you going to order online or on an app so you can run in and pick up a pre-paid order or stand in line with other tired hungry guest. Do you want to be notified by text your order is ready to pick up or wait around in the restaurant?

There are many other examples of what technology can do for you that you may not have even thought of. Give us a call today and we can consult with you for free of course regarding options and cost. Call our Seattle office at 253-839-9636 or in Central Washington call 509-961-1971 for our Yakima office. Of course you can always find us online here Restaurant Technology.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

POS systems in Yakima now available


You don't need to come over to the West side for a system. We are excited to have a POS professional as our associate. Central Washington is now covered from our Yakima POS and cash register office. Gary Swart has years of experience in the POS field right in the Yakima Valley.

You will find Gary is well versed in all applications of point of sale rather you need a system for a small market or a restaurant with online ordering and delivery. Our customers also enjoy our solutions are not tied to a specific credit card system. We are a POS dealer not a credit card provider and we let you use the merchant services that you want.

Give Gary a call at 509-961-1971 or toll free at 800-863-2274 to set up a demonstration or visit on on the web for more information regarding POS System Provider in Yakima.


Tuesday, September 10, 2019

POS - Back to the basics. Stopping the unknown silent partners.





What has changed about the initial purpose of the first Cash Register/POS to now? Nothing has changed at all, the first goal of a Cash Register/POS remains the same, stopping employee theft. That is why Mr Ritty invented the first cash register. He knew his bartenders were skimming and under reporting sales. What he started has evolved into modern day POS systems.

So many of today's end-users seem oblivious to the fact they will end up hiring a dishonest staff member. Sure, they will hire some awesome honest and loyal employees over the years but sadly they will encounter the bad ones too.

I can recall several cases where as the POS provider a disgruntled restaurant owner would contact me to let me know my system does not add up, miss-reports or otherwise is messed up. After meeting with the client it only takes a few minutes to identify the issue, they have a bad employee that is stealing.

Don't overlook these issues when selecting a provider and a solution. As an experienced provider I'm always amazed at the new solutions today that have zero security features. There are systems on the market today that don't report voids correctly, matter of fact it reports like the sale never happened. The problem is the sale did happen and the employee collected for the sale and voided it. Don't be naive it is going to happen to you, it is a matter of when not if.

This brings me to the pint of today's post. We recently installed a system in an establishment that was still using hand written tickets. After two months using Heartland Restaurant POS they were able to identify a server stealing thousands of dollars. It is an ugly side of our business but just remember when looking for a system get it from someone that understands the risk and will help you configure your system correctly.

And just to leave you with a dropped jaw, I have personally been involved in helping discover several internal thefts that resulted in over 100K being stolen from each establishment and dozens and dozens in the thousands of dollars.

Contact us at 800-863-2274 and we can help you select and implement a system. We will follow that up with support to ensure you get the most from your system and stop your unknown silent partners.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Digital Gift Cards with Heartland Restaurant POS

Digital Gift Card on Heartland POS

Here is yet another reason to replace your legacy point of sale system. Can your system allow a customer to buy an eGift Card right from your online ordering site and email it to anyone they want? Are you ready for a system with modern features?

POS with E-Gift Card System or 800-863-2274 to replace your legacy point of sale system. Legacy systems includes:


  • Digital Dining
  • Future
  • Harbortouch
  • Focus
  • Aloha
  • Dinerware
  • many others.....
In Seattle your Heartland POS dealer is National Business Systems, Inc. 

Friday, September 6, 2019

Tell your customers about your online ordering site

Heartland POS Table Tent
Now that you have installed your Heartland POS system with online ordering built in at no additional cost let's spread the word. We now have several marketing pieces to let your guest now about all they ways you engage with them. The example here is an online ordering table tent. The next time your guest come in they will see you now have an easy to use site for them to place orders online.

The table tent will be customized with your logo and online ordering address. Simply adding a QR code you will be able to direct your guest to the site so they can bookmark your site. Other marketing material is available for you as well like posters, window clings and more. This in an incredibly affordable method of getting repeat customers in your restaurant or on the web.

Contact one of our Washington State offices for additional information at 800-863-2274 or of course find us on the web Heartland POS Table Tents.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Cash Register and POS systems in Yakima


Things are really hopping in Yakima and we are here to help you select and implement a cash register system or POS system. Our Yakima POS expert Gary has been a part of the Central Washington community for many years. When you call us we don't have to come over the mountains because we are in Yakima.

Give us a call at 1-800-863-2274 to schedule an appointment with Gary for a no obligation demonstration of a system for your business. We have the right system for various types of businesses like restaurants, markets,  smoke shops, bars. lounges and more. Find out more on the web at Cash Registers and POS systems in Yakima 

Monday, August 12, 2019

Carryout orders placed digitally are up 279% according to a restaurant industry advisor

Everyone knows restaurant delivery via services like GrubHub, Uber Eats and DoorDash are all the rage right now but they take a large portion of every transaction. Don't let the hype keep you from seeing the real ordering growth from Digitally Ordered Carryout.

When you operate your own online ordering website you can save thousands of dollars while giving customers what they want. They want to do business with a restaurant that they can engage in many ways including ordering online. The great thing about offering online ordering from your own system is the fact it is cost effective and efficient for your guest. 

no one is saying don't offer guest the options of the big deliver services just be sure to be offering your customers a way to digitally order food for carryout as well. Features like these are built right into the Heartland Restaurant POS system and help build customer loyalty. You don't even need your own website to use online ordering from the industry's most powerful iPad POS system.

Give us a call at 253-839-9636 to find out more about this system. It's time to toss out your old legacy POS system and install a complete tablet cloud based solution. We are the Heartland Point of Sale dealer in the Seattle;e Tacoma area. Visit online at Seattle's Heartland POS Dealer.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Heartland Restaurant POS now available in Eastern Washington


We are very excited to announce we now have associates in Eastern Washington. You can now stay local with experienced restaurant POS consultants.

For Heartland POS in Yakima our associate Gary Swart can consult, install and support not only the Heartland Restaurant POS but SAM4s cash registers. Gary has been serving Yakima and central Washington for years. Gary has experience in both retail and restaurant point of sale applications. Call us at 800-863-2274 so we can have Gary contact you for a demonstration.

In the Inland Empire we have a pioneer in the iPad POS industry in Robert. The years of experience Robert has installing and supporting cloud based POS is unmatched anywhere. So if you are looking for an iPad Restaurant System in Spokane Robert is your guy.

For more information or to reach Robert or Gary call us at 800-863-2274 and as always find us on the web at Heartland Restaurant POS in Eastern Washington.