How to use the reports from your restaurant cash register software?

As a restaurateur, you know that a successful day isn't just measured by the number of covers served or the smiles on customers' faces. To go further and effectively manage your establishment, it's essential to rely on accurate data, and that's where the sales reports generated by your POS software come in. Much more than simple transaction records, they become genuine analysis tools.

But you need to know how to interpret them, and above all, how to use them. Follow our guide to make the most of these statistics and boost your profitability.

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The strategic importance of sales reports in restaurant management

The evolution of the Z-ticket towards comprehensive performance analysis

Remember the days when the Z-ticket, that end-of-day report printed at closing time, was the only source of information. It's still important, but today it's enriched by valuable data that can be accessed at any time.

In fact, the reporting software integrated into the cash registers now transforms this document into a complete performance report, capable of guiding your strategic choices in the kitchen as well as in the dining room.

Cash register software as an indispensable analysis tool

Good restaurant cash register software isn't just a cash machine. It's also a dashboard, designed to monitor your key indicators, detect anomalies, anticipate trends and help you make informed decisions.

👉 To find out more: Why adopting a touchscreen cash register is crucial for your restaurant?

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Key reports for optimizing restaurant performance

Daily sales report

It's the basis of your restaurant sales tracking. The daily sales report for your establishment gives you a clear overview: sales by channel, VAT, means of payment, cancellations, etc. This document should be consulted every evening to keep you on track.

Detailed sales analysis by product and menu

This is one of the pillars of sales analysis. Which products are doing well? Which are weighing on your margins? By cross-referencing sales data and material costs, you can optimize both your card and your profitability.

The foodservice sector is marked by the growing popularity of vegan food, with European sales up 22% since 2020 (source: GFI). Is your establishment part of this trend? Count on your cash register reports to tell you so you can adapt your offer. 

Time tracking and peak management

Identifying peak and off-peak periods helps you adapt your teams and offers. Thanks to these cash register statistics, you can plan your services with precision and limit losses.

Consolidated dashboards for multi-company businesses

Do you manage several sites? Good reporting software gives you a consolidated view so you can compare performance between sites, detect discrepancies and disseminate best practices.

Setting customized performance indicators 

Average basket, fill rate, table turnover, etc. Your restaurant's KPIs need to be aligned with your objectives. Good software makes it easy to set them up, so you can track what really matters to you.

Automated accounting export for simplified financial reporting

Clear, automated accounting export via your touch-sensitive cash register facilitates dialogue with your chartered accountant. It's also an invaluable tool for monitoring your expenses, analyzing your margins and quickly detecting budget deviations.

👉 To find out more : Why use a sales analysis tool in foodservice?

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The methodology to effectively analyze your sales data

Best practices for reading, understanding and comparing reports

Analyzing your sales reports is based on three simple reflexes: read regularly, compare over time, and link the data to your concrete actions, such as the creation of a new card, the launch of a marketing campaign or changes within your team. The key? Consistency.

To facilitate this analytical work, IO Analytics proves to be an invaluable ally. Thanks to its intuitive dashboard and dynamic visualizations (curves, heatmaps, pie charts), IO Analytics lets you : 

• track your key indicators in real time;
• quickly spot trends and anomalies ;
• easily compare your performance over different periods. 

This automation and clarity saves you valuable time and improves decision-making, whether you're in the office or on the move.

Automated reporting for greater speed and responsiveness

Save time with automated reports sent by email on a daily or weekly basis. You'll remain responsive, even remotely, and always keep an eye on your KPIs.

Involving teams in reading and exploiting performance data

The data you collect shouldn't be confined to your desk. Don't hesitate to share key indicators with your front-of-house, kitchen or production managers. Together, you can set motivating targets (increase in average bill, reduction in cancellations, etc.) and involve your teams in the overall success.

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The essential features of high-performance cash register software

Key features to expect from a high-performance solution

Here's what a good restaurant cash register software should offer:

• Easy-to-read, real-time dashboards,
  
  
• Automated accounting exports,
  
  
• Customizable KPIs accessible at the click of a button,
  
  
• Multi-site centralization,
  
  
• Cross-analysis of sales, stock and HR data,
  
  
• And of course, full legal compliance (especially for the Z ticket).
  

In short, it's no longer just about selling, but about managing your business with precision and strategy.

Good to know: mandatory legal compliance

Since January 1, 2018, all cash register software used in a professional context must be certified compliant to guarantee the inalterability, security, retention and archiving of data. Make sure your solution complies with these obligations to stay in good standing with the tax authorities.

👉 F urther information: economie.gouv.fr

Criteria for evaluating or changing your POS solution

To make the most of your restaurant's sales reports, your software must provide you with clear, reliable and, above all, usable data. Ask yourself the right questions: 

• Are your performance reports easy to read and understand on a daily basis? 
• Does the information they contain really help you make quick, effective decisions?
• Are they accessible to all relevant managers, anywhere, anytime?

If you're struggling to respond positively, or if you find that your current tools are holding you back more than they're helping you, then perhaps it's time to consider a more modern option, designed specifically for the needs of restaurateurs. A solution that doesn't just cash in, but offers you customizable dashboards, key performance key performance indicators (KPIs) tailored to your business and seamless data centralization, especially if you manage several establishments.

👉 Going further : 10 best practices for running a successful restaurant 

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Want to make the most of your sales reports? With Innovorder, access a complete cash register solution to analyze, decide and boost your performance. Talk to one of our experts! 

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Running a restaurant today can no longer be done by instinct alone. Rapid access to clear, comprehensive and personalized sales reports has become a strategic tool for :

• Improve your margins,
  
  
• Optimize your schedules,
  
  
• Adapt your offers to real demand,
  
  
• Identify hidden performance levers,
  
  
• Unite your teams around concrete objectives.
  
  

Thanks to modern cash register software, your data are no longer just figures, but real decision-making tools, enabling you to manage your business with precision, responsiveness and peace of mind.