Restaurant EPOS System in the UK
TasteIQ is restaurant EPOS software with one flat annual price per outlet. This guide explains the rules every UK food business shares, and the city guides cover what changes by council.
Registering a food business
A food business must register with the local council for its premises at least 28 days before it starts trading. Registration is free, separate premises are registered separately, and a change of ownership or address needs re-registration. The government's online service routes you to the right council.
Food hygiene ratings: England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland differ
Councils inspect food businesses and the Food Standards Agency publishes ratings from 0 to 5 under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Displaying the rating is voluntary in England but a legal requirement in Wales and Northern Ireland, and Scotland runs its own scheme with a pass or improvement-required outcome. Displaying a rating you did not earn is an offence everywhere.
Allergens and Natasha's Law
Since 1 October 2021, food that is packed on the premises before the customer orders it, such as sandwiches, salads and bakery items sold from a display, must carry a full ingredient list with allergens emphasised. Food prepared to order is exempt from the label, but allergen information must still be available when a customer asks. A POS does not produce legal labels, but a menu that records ingredients and modifiers per item is the base for an accurate allergen matrix.
Alcohol, late-night entertainment and VAT
Selling alcohol or providing regulated entertainment needs a premises licence from the council under the Licensing Act 2003, which is a separate application from food registration. Restaurant food and drink are standard-rated for VAT, and VAT registration is with HMRC once taxable turnover reaches the registration threshold.
Where TasteIQ fits and where it does not
TasteIQ does not process card payments or integrate with terminals yet: you keep your own card terminal and acquirer and record the payment mode on each bill. Many UK restaurants expect integrated card payments, so if that is essential to you, confirm the workflow in the free trial before you decide.
City guides at a glance
| City | Nation | VAT | Councils and bodies |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | England | 20% standard rate | 32 borough councils and the City of London Corporation; FSA; HMRC |
| Manchester | England | 20% standard rate | Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the other Greater Manchester councils; FSA; HMRC |
Every city is $108 per outlet per year (listed in US dollars) after a 14-day free trial, no card, set up remotely in about 15 minutes.
Restaurant EPOS guides by city
Restaurant POS in London
32 borough councils and the City of London Corporation; FSA; HMRC.
Restaurant POS in Manchester
Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the other Greater Manchester councils; FSA; HMRC.
How we write these guides
Each guide is written for the place it covers. We link to the official bodies, note where sources disagree rather than guess, and do not quote fees, because they change. We do not publish customer counts or reviews we cannot show you.
Do you run outlets in a city we have not covered yet? Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly whether TasteIQ fits, and add the city if there is demand.
Restaurant EPOS in the UK: common questions
Yes. A food business must register with its local council at least 28 days before trading, and registration is free. Use the government's food business registration service to reach the right council.
About this page
Published by TasteIQ (MPYG Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore). We sell restaurant POS software, so read this as a vendor's guide rather than independent advice.
Facts and links last checked on . Tax, licensing and e-invoicing rules change by notification: this page points you to the right office and does not replace its advice or legal advice. If something is out of date, email founders@tasteiq.in and we will correct it.
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