Why Every UK Takeaway Needs an Online Takeaway Ordering System with EPOS Integration in 2026
Running a successful takeaway in today's competitive food industry is about much more than serving great food. Customers expect quick ordering, secure online payments, accurate order tracking, and fast delivery. At the same time, business owners need efficient operations, reduced costs, and complete control over their customer relationships.
This is why more businesses across the UK are investing in an online takeaway ordering system integrated with an EPOS for takeaway. Instead of relying heavily on third-party marketplaces that charge high commission fees, restaurants can accept orders directly through their own website while managing every aspect of the business from one central platform.
Whether you operate a fish & chips shop, pizza takeaway, Indian restaurant, Chinese takeaway, burger restaurant, or café, an integrated ordering and EPOS solution helps streamline operations and improve profitability.
What Is an Online Takeaway Ordering System?
An online takeaway ordering system allows customers to browse your menu, customise their meals, place orders, and pay online directly through your website.
Unlike marketplace apps that own your customer data and charge commission on every order, your own ordering platform gives you complete ownership of your business.
Customers can:
Browse live menus
Order takeaway or delivery
Schedule future orders
Make secure online payments
Receive order confirmations
Track order progress
Everything happens through your branded website, creating a more professional customer experience.
What Is EPOS for Takeaway?
An EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) for takeaway is the operational hub of your business.
It manages:
Orders
Payments
Kitchen workflow
Inventory
Customer records
Staff management
Sales reporting
When integrated with your online ordering system, every online order is automatically sent to the EPOS without manual entry.
This eliminates mistakes, speeds up service, and improves operational efficiency.
Why Integration Matters
Many takeaway businesses still use separate systems for online orders and in-store sales.
This often leads to:
Manual order entry
Missed orders
Incorrect pricing
Delayed preparation
Duplicate work
Customer complaints
An integrated solution removes these problems.
Once a customer places an order online:
The order instantly appears in the EPOS.
The kitchen receives the order.
Stock updates automatically.
Payment is recorded.
Delivery status can be tracked.
Sales reports update in real time.
Everything happens automatically.
Key Benefits of an Online Takeaway Ordering System with EPOS
1. Reduce Third-Party Commission Fees
Food delivery marketplaces can charge a significant commission on every order.
By encouraging customers to order directly through your website, you keep more of your revenue while strengthening your own brand.
2. Faster Order Processing
Orders move directly from the website to the kitchen without staff having to re-enter information manually.
This improves speed and reduces errors during busy hours.
3. Better Customer Experience
Customers enjoy:
Faster ordering
Secure payments
Live order updates
Accurate preparation
Quicker delivery
A smooth experience encourages repeat business.
4. Complete Customer Ownership
When customers order directly:
You own the customer database.
You can send promotional offers.
You can launch loyalty programmes.
You can reward returning customers.
Marketplace platforms rarely provide this level of control.
5. Real-Time Business Reporting
Modern takeaway EPOS systems provide detailed reports including:
Daily sales
Best-selling items
Peak ordering hours
Customer spending
Payment methods
Staff performance
These insights help owners make informed business decisions.
6. Easier Menu Management
Need to update prices or disable an unavailable item?
Changes can be made instantly and reflected across both your website and EPOS system.
No duplicate updates are required.
Essential Features to Look For
When selecting an EPOS for takeaway, look for features such as:
Online ordering integration
Secure payment gateway
Click & Collect
Delivery management
Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Table ordering (if applicable)
Customer loyalty programme
Discount codes
Inventory management
Multi-store support
Sales analytics
Mobile-friendly ordering
QR code ordering
Staff permissions
Cloud-based reporting
A future-ready platform should support every stage of your takeaway operation.
How an Integrated System Improves Daily Operations
Imagine a customer ordering food at 6:30 PM.
Within seconds:
The order appears in the kitchen.
Payment is confirmed.
Estimated preparation time is calculated.
Staff begin preparing the meal.
Delivery information is updated.
Inventory adjusts automatically.
Sales reports update in real time.
No manual data entry.
No phone calls.
No printed order slips being misplaced.
Everything works together seamlessly.
Is This Suitable for Small Takeaways?
Absolutely.
Many independent takeaway businesses believe integrated ordering systems are only for large restaurant chains.
In reality, modern cloud-based systems are designed for businesses of every size.
Whether you receive 20 orders a day or 500, automation saves time and reduces operational costs.
Why UK Takeaways Are Moving Towards Direct Ordering
Consumer habits continue to shift towards ordering directly from restaurant websites.
Business owners are recognising the long-term benefits:
Lower commission costs
Better customer retention
Stronger brand identity
Greater operational efficiency
Improved profitability
Complete ownership of customer data
As technology continues to evolve, integrated ordering and EPOS systems are becoming essential rather than optional.
Why Choose TableReady?
At TableReady, we help UK takeaway businesses simplify operations with an all-in-one platform that combines online ordering, EPOS, payments, and business management.
Our solution enables you to:
Accept commission-free online orders
Manage takeaway and delivery from one dashboard
Improve kitchen efficiency
Increase repeat customers
Monitor business performance with real-time reporting
Scale your takeaway business with confidence
Whether you're launching a new takeaway or upgrading your existing system, TableReady provides the tools you need to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online takeaway ordering system?
An online takeaway ordering system allows customers to order food directly from your website, make secure payments, and receive order updates without using third-party marketplace apps.
What is EPOS for takeaway?
EPOS for takeaway is a digital point-of-sale system that manages orders, payments, inventory, customer information, reporting, and kitchen operations from one platform.
Why should I integrate online ordering with EPOS?
Integration eliminates manual order entry, reduces errors, speeds up service, and keeps all business data synchronised in real time.
Can small takeaway businesses benefit from EPOS software?
Yes. Even small independent takeaways can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide a better customer experience through integrated ordering and EPOS systems.
How does direct online ordering increase profits?
Direct ordering reduces reliance on third-party delivery platforms, helping businesses avoid commission fees while building stronger customer relationships and increasing repeat orders.
