Restaurant POS System Product Specification Template

Order management. It is the core workflow that every other feature depends on. If the order entry flow is slow, error-prone, or confusing, nothing else matters. Start by defining the happy path for the most common order type, then layer in edge cases like modifications, voids, and split checks. Use the [strategy guide](/strategy-guide) principles to keep scope focused on the workflows that drive the most value.

Define which settings are global (menu structure, tax rules, reporting rollups) and which are local (pricing, staffing, 86'd items). Most multi-location POS products use a hierarchy: corporate sets the template, and location managers override specific fields. Document this hierarchy explicitly in your spec to avoid ambiguity during development.

Include the one or two integrations that are table stakes for your target segment. For fast casual, that usually means at least one delivery platform (DoorDash or Uber Eats) and an accounting system (QuickBooks or Xero). Everything else can wait for v2. Use the [RICE framework](/frameworks/rice-framework) to evaluate which integrations deliver the most value relative to engineering effort.

List every function that must work without an internet connection: order entry, payment processing (with store-and-forward for card transactions), receipt printing, and KDS display. Then define the sync behavior: what happens when connectivity returns, how conflicts are resolved, and how the system alerts staff to the outage. Offline mode is expensive to build, so be explicit about the minimum viable scope.

Specify the target form factor (tablet, kiosk, or traditional terminal), supported operating systems, and peripheral requirements (printer, card reader, cash drawer, KDS screen). Define environmental constraints: restaurants deal with heat, grease, water, and drops. If you are targeting tablets, specify minimum screen size, case requirements, and mounting options. ---