Cheap POS vs Trusted POS: What’s Best for Your First F&B Setup?

Starting an F&B business in Singapore is exciting—but also incredibly challenging. One of the biggest hurdles? High rental costs. For café owners, hawkerpreneurs, or restaurant founders, rent can easily swallow a significant chunk of your monthly revenue. But here’s the upside: technology offers powerful tools to help you offset high operating costs while keeping your service quality high. If you’re an F&B startup wondering how to survive (and thrive) in Singapore’s competitive food scene, here are proven ways to leverage tech to fight rental pressures. 1. Choose a Strategic Location, Focus on Marketing Instead of splurging on prime locations with sky-high rents, consider a more affordable spot and reinvest your savings into marketing efforts. Lower overheads free up cash flow for advertising campaigns. Boost visibility through social media, Google ads, and collaborations with food influencers. Leverage food delivery platforms as a marketing tool—offer first-time order discounts and bundle deals to win new customers. 2. Reduce Manpower Costs with Self-Ordering Tech Manpower shortages and rising wages add extra strain to your finances. Self-ordering kiosks and QR ordering systems can: Let customers order and pay on their own Cut queues and speed up table turnover Reduce human errors in orders Allow you to run with fewer staff while maintaining fast service 3. Use Inventory Management Software to Cut Waste Food waste is silent profit leakage. By using POS-integrated inventory tools, you can: Predict demand based on sales history Order just the right amount of stock Keep storage space lean and organised 4. Boost Off-Peak Sales with Smart Pricing Don’t let your restaurant sit empty outside peak hours. Implement yield management by: Offering time-limited discounts between lunch and dinner Running loyalty rewards for off-peak visits Sending push notifications with flash deals 5. Invest in an Integrated POS System A modern POS isn’t just a cash register—it’s your command centre. Look for one that integrates with: Inventory tracking CRM loyalty programs Delivery platforms Real-time sales reporting This lets you make data-driven decisions while running leaner operations. Rental in Singapore will likely stay high for now but by adopting the right tech stack, you can operate efficiently, save costs, and keep customers coming back. Looking for F&B solutions such as an F&B POS system, QR ordering, online ordering, self ordering kiosk for your F&B business? Click here to find out more

In Singapore’s hyper-competitive food and beverage scene, staying connected with your customers is no longer optional—it’s essential. While email has long been the default for digital engagement, F&B businesses are now turning to WhatsApp as the go-to tool for faster, more personal communication. WhatsApp Outperforms Email Where It Matters Open rates that matter: WhatsApp boasts open rates of over 90%, compared to 25% or less for email. That means your promos are far more likely to be seen. Real-time impact: A lunch special sent at 10 a.m. can fill tables by noon—try doing that with email. Fewer steps, higher conversion: With a clean message format and a single tap to redeem vouchers or make bookings, WhatsApp converts better for time-sensitive campaigns. Email Still Has Its Place For storytelling & rich content: Want to showcase your new seasonal menu or behind-the-scenes chef interviews? Email gives you space. Loyalty and automation: Email excels at long-term nurturing, reward systems, and reactivation campaigns. Formal, official communication: Receipts, membership summaries, and full-length newsletters are still best suited for inboxes. Use Both for Best Results Launch flash sales or limited-time vouchers via WhatsApp Share loyalty points summaries, event invites, or reservation confirmations via email Use an integrated F&B POS & CRM solution like MEGAPOS to automate and track both in one place Conclusion Smart F&B chains in Singapore are already using WhatsApp to fill tables, boost voucher redemptions, and stay top-of-mind. Don’t just rely on email alone—diversify your outreach and engage your customers where they are most active. If you are interested in exploring using WhatsApp as a channel for your members engagement campaigns, click here to find out more!