Toast (avec Toast IQ)
All-in-one cloud POS for restaurants with integrated AI for operations, upsells, and marketing
Overview
Toast is the most-used cloud POS system in US restaurants, deployed in 130,000+ locations. Since May 2025, the platform includes Toast IQ, a conversational AI assistant connected to all restaurant data (sales, inventory, staff, customers) enabling natural-language queries of your numbers, out-of-stock adjustments, or timesheet corrections in seconds.
Toast IQ also includes in-dining upsell features (context-aware server suggestions), automated marketing, and from spring 2026 Toast IQ Grow adds demand forecasting and AI-driven ad campaigns. Total cost can escalate quickly: base POS at $69/month doesn't include modules, proprietary hardware, or payment processing fees.
Our verdict
Toast is the reference POS for a restaurateur wanting robust American software, well-integrated, constantly advancing on AI. The ecosystem is impressive, but proprietary hardware dependency and long-term transaction fees can exceed initial budget. Perfect for opening new restaurant with 20+ covers; less suited if switching POS mid-operation.