Thinking of starting a café or takeaway? That’s awesome! But, before you can serve that perfect latte or crunchiest wrap, you’ll need the right tools to run your business smoothly. That’s where beginner-friendly platforms come in. These are apps and websites that help you manage orders, menus, payments, and even deliveries—without needing a computer science degree.
TLDR: If you’re new to running a café or takeaway, there are platforms that make things super simple for you. Tools like Square, Toast, and GloriaFood help you handle sales, deliveries, and even online menus. You won’t need any tech skills to get started. Just pick the one that fits your vibe and get cooking!
1. Square: Simple All-In-One Solution
Why it rocks: Square is perfect for beginners. It offers tools for payments, online orders, receipts, and even customer loyalty programs. Better yet, it’s free to start!
- Super user-friendly dashboard
- Free POS (Point of Sale) app
- Easily track sales and inventory
Whether you’re brewing artisan coffee or serving bagels on the go, Square gives you everything in one tidy package.
Price: Free to start, then small fees per transaction.
Best for: Café owners looking for a plug-and-play system with sleek design.
2. GloriaFood: The Best Free Option
Why it rocks: Zero cost. Yep, you read that right. GloriaFood lets you create a stylish online ordering system completely free. You just add a button to your website and voilà—orders can start rolling in.
- No coding needed
- Simple drag-and-drop menu builder
- Supports pick-up and delivery
Perfect if you already have a website but need to add online ordering without calling your cousin who “knows a bit of HTML.”
Price: Free for core features. Add-ons like payment gateways cost a little extra.
Best for: Takeaways and cafés that want to keep setup costs super low.
3. Toast: For Foodies Who Want Cool Extras
Why it rocks: Toast is tailor-made for food businesses. It’s loaded with restaurant-specific features like table management, delivery tracking, and even payroll. Think of it as your digital maître d’.
- Fast and modern POS system
- Great for both in-house and online orders
- Built-in marketing tools
It’s not the cheapest, but it’s powerful—and surprisingly easy to use.
Price: Starts at around $0 with a custom-built plan. Hardware costs extra.
Best for: Cafés and takeaways that plan to grow and want pro-level tools.
4. Shopify with a Café Plug-in: Storefront & Café in One
Why it rocks: Shopify isn’t just for T-shirts and handmade candles. With café themes and add-ons like “Restaurant System” or “Orderify,” you’ve got a fully-featured online café with just a few clicks.
- Great for selling drinks, pastries, and merch online
- Tons of free and paid app integrations
- Built-in payment and shipping options
If you want a digital storefront and a takeaway menu all in one place, Shopify is a hidden gem.
Price: Starts at $39/month. Some add-ons may cost extra.
Best for: Café owners who want full control over branding and product layout.
5. Uber Eats & DoorDash: Instant Audience
Why they rock: Don’t have your own delivery drivers? No problem! With platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, customers are just a few taps away from your food. And you don’t need a website or app of your own to get started.
- Built-in customer base
- Simple onboarding process
- No need to manage delivery logistics
The downside? They take a big bite out of your margins. But the exposure can be worth it—especially when you’re just launching.
Price: They take a cut (up to 30%) of each order.
Best for: Café and takeaway newbies who want to test the waters with a wide customer base.
Tips for Picking Your Platform
The wrong platform can turn your dream café into a stress fest. Here’s how to choose the right one:
- Start Small: Try free trials or the free version first.
- Think About Your Menu: Some platforms work better for drinks, others for hot food.
- Consider Delivery Needs: Need drivers? Go for Uber Eats or DoorDash.
- Look at Fees: Low up-front cost doesn’t always mean it’s cheaper long-term.
Bonus Shoutouts
These aren’t in the top five, but they’re worth considering too:
- Zettle by PayPal: Another nice POS system, simple for cafés with short menus.
- Flipdish: Helps with branded apps and customer loyalty plans.
- BentoBox: Slick websites designed just for restaurants and cafés.
Final Sip of Advice
You don’t need to know code or have years of experience to launch a successful café or takeaway. These platforms are built to help you start fast, look good, and keep customers happy.
Make a short list of what you need—like online menus, delivery help, or loyalty programs—and match it with the platform that offers those features.
Do a little test run, make that first sale, and keep your eyes on the long game. Soon, you’ll go from coffee lover to café boss!
Now go pick your platform, fire up that espresso machine, and start something tasty!
