How to choose a cash register: the checklist

Choosing a cash register is a commitment for several years. Here are the criteria to review, in the order they really matter, whether you are opening a restaurant, a hair salon, a shop or a food truck.

1. It must take payments even without internet

A network outage in the middle of service should never block a sale. Ask whether the till works in full offline mode, or only in a degraded mode. This matters most for markets, food trucks and areas with patchy coverage.

2. The payment terminal must be integrated

When the cash register sends the amount to the terminal without re-entry, you eliminate amount errors and save time on every sale. Check which terminals are compatible (Worldline, Yavin, etc.) and what the fees are.

3. It must handle Swiss VAT

Several rates, eat-in and takeaway, reports ready for your accountant: make sure VAT is calculated and documented automatically, and that the sales journal cannot be changed after the fact.

4. It must fit your line of business

• Restaurant and bar: floor plan, kitchen tickets, split bills
• Fast food and food truck: fast checkout, mobile mode, queue management
• Hair salon: services, products, appointment management
• Retail: barcodes, variable prices, returns and discounts

5. Look at the total cost, not just the advertised price

Add up the license or subscription, hardware, payment terminal, installation and training, over five years. A low monthly subscription can cost several thousand francs more than a one-time license. Our five-year cost comparison walks through the calculation.

6. Think about support and training

A local, reachable contact who installs the cash register and trains your team saves a great deal of time in the first weeks. Ask who comes on site and how quickly. With LaKaisse, an authorized distributor covers each region of French-speaking Switzerland and Bern.

7. Check your freedom to leave

• Does your data stay accessible and exportable?
• Does the cash register keep working if the provider changes its terms?
• Can the price go up without your agreement?

In short

A good cash register works offline, integrates payment, complies with Swiss VAT, fits your line of business, has a predictable total cost and comes with real local support. If you want to see how LaKaisse meets these criteria, ask for a demo: your distributor will present it on your own use case, with no obligation.