Question 1

What is Platter?

Accepted Answer

Platter is an all-in-one, cloud-based restaurant management platform and point-of-sale (POS) system. It pairs a POS app for taking orders and payments with a web-based Back Office for menus, staff, inventory, reporting, and multi-location management, so you can run front-of-house, back-of-house, and head-office operations from one connected system.

Question 2

What types of businesses is Platter built for?

Accepted Answer

Platter is designed for restaurants and hospitality businesses of every size, from single-location cafes and full-service restaurants to multi-location groups and franchises. It supports dine-in, takeout, and delivery, with role-based tools tailored to owners, managers, servers, cashiers, and kitchen staff.

Question 3

What makes Platter different from other POS systems?

Accepted Answer

Platter brings POS, payments, floor plans, reservations, takeout, delivery, inventory, scheduling, timekeeping, and 30+ reports into a single platform instead of stitching together separate tools that do not talk to each other. It was built by people who know the realities of running a restaurant, and it is backed by trusted partners including Moneris, Stripe, Epson, Deliverect, and Amazon Web Services.

Question 4

What devices does Platter run on?

Accepted Answer

The Platter POS app runs on iPad and iOS devices for everyday service. The Platter Back Office is web-based and works from any modern computer or mobile browser, so you can manage your restaurant from anywhere, at the counter or off-site.

Question 5

Is Platter cloud-based?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter is fully cloud-based and hosted on Amazon Web Services. Changes you make in the Back Office, like menu edits, price updates, or staff permissions, sync automatically to your POS devices, typically within about 30 seconds, with no manual refresh required.

Question 6

What's the difference between the POS app and the Back Office?

Accepted Answer

The Back Office is where you set up and manage your business: menus, items, pricing, floor plans, user roles, inventory, and analytics. The POS app is what your team uses during service to take orders, send items to the kitchen, process payments, manage tables, and run shift reports. The two stay in sync automatically.

Question 7

Does Platter support dine-in, takeout, and delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter includes dedicated workflows for dine-in with floor plans and table management, takeout, and delivery, so your staff can create and track every order type from one screen.

Question 8

Can I manage my floor plan and tables in Platter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter's Floorplan Management lets you design and adjust your seating layout in real time, organize sections, track table availability, and optimize turnover, helping you keep seats filled and service moving smoothly.

Question 9

Does Platter handle reservations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter offers reservation tools alongside takeout and event or experience options, so you can drive bookings, fill tables, and manage availability from the same platform.

Question 10

Can I run multiple locations on Platter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter's Multiple Location Management lets you oversee a chain, franchise, or restaurant group from one centralized platform, monitoring performance, keeping menus and pricing consistent, and switching between locations with a click.

Question 11

What kind of reporting does Platter provide?

Accepted Answer

Platter automatically generates 30+ real-time reports, including day-end sales, online orders, staff activity, and inventory consumption. Reporting is paper-free and updates as you operate, giving you accurate insight without manual tallying.

Question 12

Does Platter include inventory management?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter's Inventory module replaces time-consuming manual tracking with real-time stock control, automation, and consumption reporting, helping you cut waste and stay on top of what is selling.

Question 13

Can I manage staff scheduling and time tracking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter includes Shift Scheduling and Timekeeping, plus clock-in and clock-out on the POS, so you can build schedules, track employee hours, and reduce payroll errors from one dashboard.

Question 14

Can I control what each staff member can access?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter uses role-based permissions. You can create custom roles, like manager, server, cashier, and kitchen staff, and control exactly which tools and actions each role can use across every location, keeping operations secure and tidy.

Question 15

Does Platter integrate with online ordering and delivery apps?

Accepted Answer

Platter connects with major online ordering and delivery channels through its partnership with Deliverect, helping you consolidate third-party delivery orders directly into your POS. Reach out to our team to confirm the platforms available for your location.

Question 16

Does Platter work with kitchen printers and displays?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Platter routes items to kitchen stations and supports receipt and kitchen printing, including Epson printers, an official Platter partner. Items are sent to the correct station based on how your menu categories are configured.

Question 17

What payment methods can I accept with Platter?

Accepted Answer

Through Platter Payments you can accept debit, credit, tap or contactless, and online payments, covering both in-store card-present transactions and online orders.

Question 18

Which payment processors does Platter support?

Accepted Answer

Platter supports three payment gateways: Moneris, Stripe Connect, and Stripe Own Account. That gives you the flexibility to use Platter-managed processing or connect your own merchant account.

Question 19

Can I use my existing merchant account?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. If you have a Moneris merchant account or your own Stripe account, you can connect it to Platter. Our onboarding team will help you choose and configure the gateway that fits your business.

Question 20

How much does payment processing cost?

Accepted Answer

Processing rates depend on the gateway you choose and your business profile. Book a demo and our team will walk you through the payment options and pricing that fit your restaurant.

Question 21

Are payments secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Card payments are processed through established, PCI-compliant providers, Moneris and Stripe, and Platter's infrastructure runs on Amazon Web Services. Sensitive card data is handled by these certified payment processors rather than stored on your devices.

Question 22

How much does Platter cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on your restaurant's size, number of locations, and the features and hardware you need. The best way to get an accurate quote is to book a demo, and we'll tailor a plan to your operation.

Question 23

Is there a long-term contract?

Accepted Answer

Plans are tailored to each business. The simplest way to understand terms, pricing, and what is included is a quick demo with our team, where we'll match a plan to how you operate.

Question 24

Do I have to buy hardware from Platter?

Accepted Answer

During signup you can order any hardware you need, like receipt printers, tablets, or payment terminals, and in many cases you can use compatible equipment you already own. Our team will confirm what works for your setup.

Question 25

What hardware do I need to run Platter?

Accepted Answer

At minimum you'll need a compatible iPad or iOS device for the POS app and a stable internet connection. Depending on your service style, you may also want receipt and kitchen printers, payment terminals, and additional tablets. You can order what you need during signup.

Question 26

Can I use hardware I already own?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes, compatible iPads, supported printers such as Epson, and supported payment terminals can typically be used with Platter. Share your current setup with our onboarding team and we'll confirm what's compatible before you launch.

Question 27

How do I connect my payment terminal?

Accepted Answer

Payment terminals pair with your POS over the same Wi-Fi network. Once you've entered your gateway credentials, Moneris or Stripe, in the Back Office, you follow the on-screen pairing prompts and restart the POS to finish setup. Your onboarding specialist can walk you through it.

Question 28

How do I get started with Platter?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is simple: create your account on the Platter website, and a Platter representative will reach out to verify your details and activate your account. From there you'll schedule a welcome call, configure your setup, and go live when you're ready.

Question 29

How long does it take to set up?

Accepted Answer

It varies with your restaurant's size and menu complexity, but Platter guides you through a structured setup: menus, floor plan, printers, payment gateways, and user roles. Your account stays in setup mode until you officially launch, and your onboarding specialist helps you move quickly.

Question 30

Do you help with onboarding and staff training?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every restaurant is paired with a Platter onboarding specialist who runs a welcome call and guides you through setup using a launch checklist, so your team is trained and confident before you switch to live mode.

Question 31

Can I move my menu and data from my current POS?

Accepted Answer

Our onboarding team helps you build out your menu, items, and configuration as part of getting set up. Tell us which system you're coming from during your demo and we'll advise on the smoothest path to switch.

Question 32

What support does Platter offer?

Accepted Answer

Platter provides a dedicated Help Center with step-by-step articles, plus direct support from the Platter team. You can reach us by phone at (833) 944-7587 or email info@plattermanagement.com.

Question 33

What happens if my internet connection drops?

Accepted Answer

Platter is a cloud-based platform and relies on an internet connection to sync orders, menus, and payments in real time. We recommend a stable connection, and a backup such as a mobile hotspot, to keep service running smoothly during busy periods.

Question 34

How often does my data sync across devices?

Accepted Answer

Automatically and continuously. Updates made in the Back Office sync to your POS devices typically within about 30 seconds, with no manual refresh needed. If a change has not appeared, confirm your internet connection and the app will catch up.

Question 35

Is my business data safe and backed up?

Accepted Answer

Platter runs on Amazon Web Services, a leading cloud infrastructure provider, and your data lives securely in the cloud rather than on a single device. That means your menus, orders, and reports stay protected and accessible across your devices and locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in
Touch with Platter!

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in Touch with Platter!

Get in
Touch with Platter!