Advice by Slice: Before You Sign Anything, Ask These Questions
RESTAURANT TIPS
Six contract questions every pizza operator should get answered in writing before switching POS systems.
The TL;DR
- The biggest costs in a POS contract are almost never the ones in the sales pitch.
- Ask about contract length, early termination fees, payment processing lock-in, and hardware requirements up front.
- Confirm integration costs, data portability, and auto-renewal terms before signing.
- If answers are vague or require multiple follow-ups, that's a red flag.
Switching POS systems is a big decision, and like a lot of big decisions in this industry, the details that matter most are usually buried in the contract.
Before you commit to any POS platform, make sure you have clear, written answers to these six questions.
1. What is the contract length, and what does early termination cost?
Know the exit before you enter. Multi-year contracts with steep termination fees are common and easy to miss in the fine print.
2. Are you required to use their payment processing, and what are the full rates?
Get the complete processing rate, not just the headline number. Ask about swap-out fees, monthly minimums, and any per-transaction charges.
3. Can you bring your own hardware, or are you locked to theirs?
If the answer is no, factor the hardware cost into your total cost of ownership, regardless of what the promotion says.
A reputable POS company will answer every one of these clearly and without hesitation.
4. Which third-party integrations are restricted or carry additional costs?
Online ordering, loyalty programs, delivery platforms — find out exactly what works, what doesn't, and what costs extra.
Know what you're signing before you sign it.
Adora's team will walk you through every line — contract, processing, hardware, integrations, and data rights.
Schedule a Demo →5. What happens to your customer data if you leave?
Your customer database has real value. Make sure you can take it with you.
6. What are the automatic renewal terms?
Some contracts renew automatically with short cancellation windows. Miss it, and you're locked into another term.
If the answers are hard to get, that's the answer
A reputable POS company will answer every one of these clearly and without hesitation. If the answers are hard to get or require multiple follow-up conversations to nail down, that's a good sign you're being bamboozled in your deal.
Adora believes in straightforward pricing, flexible terms, and full transparency before you ever sign anything. Have questions? Our team is happy to walk you through every line.
