Opening a restaurant? Your digital setup is ready in 8 weeks
You're planning a restaurant opening and wondering which digital tools you actually need? POS system, ordering system, delivery zones, website, Google listing — we show you how to set everything up right from the start. No platform dependency, no 30% commission, no patchwork.
What does a new restaurant need digitally?
A digital restaurant setup includes all the systems you need for modern gastronomy operations: a TSE-compliant POS system (mandatory under § 146a AO), your own online ordering system for delivery and pickup orders, a digital menu with allergen labelling, receipt printers for kitchen and counter, payment integration (Stripe, PayPal), and a Google Business Profile for local visibility. Most founders piece these tools together from 4–6 different providers — different contracts, different logins, no shared data.
Resources: DEHOGA Founder's Guide · IHK Gastronomy Start-up · KassenSichV / TSE Requirement
5 digital mistakes new restaurant owners pay dearly for
These decisions in the first weeks cost you money, data, and independence for years.
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Signing up with Lieferando on day one
Sounds quick and easy — but you pay 13–30% commission on every order. At €5,000 monthly revenue, that's up to €18,000 per year. Worse still: your customers get used to the platform, not your restaurant. Switching gets harder with every month.
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Buying POS and ordering systems separately
Two systems that don't talk to each other: double data entry, no shared reporting, two support hotlines. You pay €49–99/month for the POS system plus extra for the ordering platform — and still don't have a unified dashboard.
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No own domain and no Google Business Profile
Without your own web presence, you're invisible in local search. Lieferando listings rank for Lieferando, not for you. 90% of guests search for restaurants on Google — if you don't show up there with your own profile, domain, and menu, you don't exist for new customers.
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Ignoring or postponing the TSE requirement
Since 2020, every electronic cash register must have a certified technical security device (TSE). New openings often forget this during planning — fines of up to €25,000 apply. More about the TSE requirement 2026 →
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No system for customer data and regulars
From day one, every order generates valuable customer data: name, address, order history, preferences. Without a CRM, you lose this data to the platform — and with it the ability to build a regular customer base. Why customer retention matters from day 1 →
Digital Opening Planner
Your interactive checklist for the digital side of your restaurant opening. Tick off what you've already done — and instantly see where GastroSystem takes care of the rest.
- Basics
- Digital Infrastructure
- Launch Preparation
From idea to first online order
A realistic 8-week plan for your digital restaurant setup — from business registration to your first real order.
- Week 1–2 Planning
Concept, permits & business account
Business registration, restaurant licence, hygiene training, open business account. In parallel: define your digital setup concept — which ordering channels (delivery, pickup, dine-in), which payment methods.
- Week 3 Identity
Domain, Google Business & branding
Register your own domain, set up Google Business Profile (address, opening hours, photos), define logo and colour scheme. Your digital identity is established — before you print a single flyer.
- Week 4 POS System
Set up TSE-compliant POS system
Start GastroSystem onboarding: create account, configure location, activate TSE. The POS system is ready to use from now on — including tax-office-compliant receipt output.
- Week 5 Ordering System
Menu, delivery zones & payment integration
Import your menu (photos, allergens, variants), define delivery zones on the map, connect Stripe/PayPal. Your own ordering system is now configured — without writing a single line of code.
- Week 6 Hardware
Receipt printers, kitchen printers & team training
Connect Epson/Star receipt printers (USB, Bluetooth, or network), print test receipts, train your team on operation. Per printer: 10 minutes setup.
- Week 7 Soft Launch
Test orders & internal checks
Place test orders — from clicking on the website to the printed receipt in the kitchen. Check delivery times, verify payment receipts, run correction rounds.
- Week 8 Go Live
Opening & first real orders
QR codes on tables and flyers, update Google Business Profile with ordering link, social media post for the opening. From now on: every order commission-free, every customer in your system.
What does a digital restaurant setup cost?
The honest calculation: what do you pay monthly when you piece everything together — and what with GastroSystem?
| Area | Individual Solutions | GastroSystem |
|---|---|---|
| POS System | €49–99/month | Included |
| Online Ordering System | 13–30% commission | Included |
| Own Website / Shop | €20–50/month | Included |
| Payment Processing | Separate contracts | Included |
| Customer Retention / CRM | €30–80/month | Included |
| Driver Management | €50–100/month | Included |
| Total per month | from €500/month + commission | €299/month, 0% commission |
All prices net. GastroSystem Professional: €299/month, cancel monthly. Individual solutions based on typical market prices for Orderbird, ready2order, Lieferando, Shopify, various CRM tools (as of April 2026).
Patchwork vs. All-in-One
This is what day-to-day work looks like when you cobble your digital setup together from separate parts — and how it runs with GastroSystem.
4 systems, 4 logins, 4 invoices
POS system from provider A, ordering platform from provider B, website from provider C, CRM from provider D. Four support numbers, four update cycles, no shared data.
1 system, 1 login, 1 invoice
Everything in one dashboard. One support team, one monthly invoice, all data connected — orders, revenue, customers, delivery zones.
Lieferando knows your customers — you don't
The platform owns the customer relationship. You receive orders but no data. No email contact, no remarketing, no building regulars.
Every order builds your CRM
From the first order, the customer profile belongs to you — name, address, order history, preferences. GDPR-compliant, exportable, usable for loyalty programmes and direct communication.
No overview of your real revenue
Revenue spread across platforms, cash payments, card payments. You need spreadsheets to know your real numbers — if you know them at all.
One dashboard, all numbers
Real-time revenue, top products, customer analytics, peak time analysis — all in one place. Daily, weekly, and monthly reports at the click of a button.
Why new restaurants start with GastroSystem
Set up right from the beginning — no detours through expensive platforms.
0% commission, €299 flat rate
Fixed monthly costs from day 1. No commission surprises as your revenue grows. Budget certainty for a new business.
TSE-compliant from the first receipt
Integrated TSE compliance — no separate hardware purchase, no configuration. Tax-office-ready from your first working day.
Own ordering system in 48 hours
We import your menu, set up delivery zones, and connect payments. You focus on your kitchen — we take care of the tech.
KundenSystem & FahrerSystem included
CRM and driver management are integrated. No additional tools, no additional costs. Build regulars from order number 1.
Cancel monthly, no lock-in
No minimum contract. If it doesn't work for you, cancel at the end of the month. We earn your loyalty — we don't force it.
Frequently asked questions about new openings
Can I set up GastroSystem before the opening?
Yes. Many founders start onboarding 4–6 weeks before the opening. The system is ready for test orders before you serve your first real customer.
Do I need additional hardware?
You need a receipt printer (Epson, Star, or Citizen, from approx. €150) and a tablet or laptop. GastroSystem runs in any browser — no app installation required.
What if I don't have a menu yet?
Our onboarding team helps you create your digital menu from scratch — with photos, allergens, and variants. Most menus are ready within 24 hours.
How does the TSE requirement work for new openings?
Every electronic cash register must have a certified TSE from day one. GastroSystem's POS system is TSE-compliant out of the box. More about the TSE requirement 2026 →
Can I also use Lieferando in parallel later?
You can, but you don't have to. With your own ordering system, every order is commission-free. If you want both channels, GastroSystem manages your direct orders while Lieferando handles its own.
What does the onboarding process cost?
Nothing. Setup, menu import, training — all included. You pay €299/month from go-live, no setup fee.
How quickly can I accept online orders after opening?
If you start onboarding 2 weeks before the opening, your ordering system goes live on opening day. Many restaurants receive their first online order within a few hours.
What if I'm planning multiple locations?
GastroSystem supports multiple locations under one account. Same price, same dashboard — each location with its own menu and delivery zones.
Book your free opening consultation
Tell us about your restaurant project — we'll show you in 30 minutes what your digital setup can look like. Free, no obligation, and you'll receive the opening checklist as a PDF.
Thank you!
We'll get back to you within 24 hours.