We Don't Sell Toast.
We Make It Work Better.
Independent Toast POS consulting and support. We've implemented Toast in dozens of restaurants—now we help you get better rates, avoid costly mistakes, and get expert support when you need it.
Why Work with an Independent Expert?
Toast doesn't partner with outside consultants. They want you to come direct. That sounds great until you realize their sales team works on commission, their support team is overwhelmed, and you're on your own figuring out integrations.
⚠️ Going Direct to Toast
- ✗ Sales reps incentivized to maximize your rates
- ✗ Overwhelmed support teams with long wait times
- ✗ You're responsible for choosing and configuring integrations
- ✗ No one to advocate for you when issues arise
- ✗ Training is generic, not tailored to your workflow
✅ Working with The Pulse POS
- ✓ We negotiate your rates BEFORE you sign (often saving thousands)
- ✓ Direct access to experts who've done this dozens of times
- ✓ We recommend, configure, and test the right integrations for you
- ✓ Ongoing support agreement means we're always available
- ✓ Custom training for your staff and your specific setup
The Toast Reality Check
Toast is a solid system, but it comes with challenges most restaurants don't discover until after they've signed.
High Processing Fees
Toast's credit card processing fees are built into their profit model. Most restaurants pay 2.49% - 3.5% + per-transaction fees. Those rates are negotiable, but only if you know what to ask for BEFORE signing.
💡 Our Support: We review your contract before you sign and negotiate better rates. Typical savings: $300-$800/month.
Integration Overload
Toast offers hundreds of integrations—accounting, payroll, inventory, online ordering, loyalty programs. Great in theory, but who configures them? Who troubleshoots when they break? That's on you.
💡 Our Support: We recommend the right integrations, set them up correctly, and handle issues when they arise.
Overwhelmed Support Teams
Toast support is hit-or-miss. During peak hours (your busy service), wait times can be 30+ minutes. When your POS crashes during dinner rush, that's unacceptable.
💡 Our Support: Direct phone/text access to experts who know your setup. Typical response time: under 5 minutes.
Generic Training
Toast's onboarding is standardized—fine for basic setups, but not for complex operations. Split checks, coursing, kitchen routing, modifier logic—you'll figure it out as you go.
💡 Our Support: Hands-on training tailored to your workflow. We configure everything before launch day.
Locked Into Their Ecosystem
Once you're on Toast, switching is painful. Their proprietary hardware, payment processing lock-in, and ecosystem make leaving costly. Make sure it's the right fit upfront.
💡 Our Support: We help you evaluate if Toast is truly the right fit BEFORE you commit to a multi-year contract.
Data Export Limitations
Need custom reports? Want to analyze sales data in Excel? Toast's reporting is good but not infinitely flexible. Advanced reporting often requires third-party tools.
💡 Our Support: We set up reporting integrations and train you on extracting the data you actually need.
Do Integrations Make Up for High CC Fees?
Toast's pitch: "Sure, our processing fees are higher, but look at all these free integrations!" Here's the truth:
The Math
- • Average restaurant: $50k-$100k/month in credit card sales
- • Extra 0.5% in fees = $250-$500/month
- • Over 3 years: $9,000-$18,000 in extra fees
What You Actually Get
- • Most integrations cost $30-$100/month standalone
- • You might use 3-5 integrations realistically
- • Value: $100-$500/month ($3,600-$18,000 over 3 years)
Our Take
It depends on your operation. High-volume restaurants with complex needs (online ordering, delivery integration, loyalty, advanced inventory) can absolutely get more value from integrations than they pay in extra fees. But if you're a small-to-medium restaurant using 2-3 basic integrations? You're probably overpaying.
💡 This is why we negotiate rates BEFORE you sign. We make sure the math works in your favor.
Fair Assessment
What Toast Actually Does Well
We're not here to bash Toast. It's a powerful system when implemented correctly. Here's what it excels at:
Modern, Intuitive Interface
Staff picks it up quickly. The UI is clean, fast, and designed for restaurant workflows. Onboarding new servers takes hours, not days.
Best-in-Class Integrations
Toast's integration marketplace is genuinely impressive. QuickBooks, Gusto, DoorDash, Uber Eats, ChowNow, SevenRooms—it all connects.
Cloud-Based Reliability
Access your data from anywhere. Check sales on your phone. Make menu changes remotely. Cloud infrastructure means automatic updates.
Strong Reporting
Sales reports, labor reports, menu analytics, guest insights—Toast gives you the data you need to run your business smarter.
Online Ordering Built-In
Toast Takeout integrates directly with the POS. No third-party tablets. Orders flow straight to the kitchen. Commission-free ordering.
Integrated Payments
No separate payment processor to manage. Everything runs through one system. Settlement is automatic. Reconciliation is seamless.
Our Toast Support Plans
Unlike Toast partners (which don't exist), we offer transparent support agreements designed to save you money and keep you running smoothly.
Pre-Purchase Consulting
If you become a support client
- ✓ Review Toast contract before you sign
- ✓ Negotiate processing rates (often saving $300-$800/month)
- ✓ Evaluate if Toast is the right fit for your operation
- ✓ Hardware recommendations and cost analysis
Implementation Support
Based on restaurant size
- ✓ Complete menu setup and configuration
- ✓ Integration setup (accounting, payroll, online ordering)
- ✓ Custom staff training (front and back of house)
- ✓ Launch day support (on-site or remote)
- ✓ 30 days post-launch priority support
Ongoing Support
Based on restaurant size
- ✓ Direct phone/text access (5min avg response)
- ✓ Unlimited troubleshooting and configuration help
- ✓ Menu updates and seasonal changes
- ✓ Staff re-training as needed
- ✓ Integration troubleshooting
- ✓ Monthly optimization reviews
💡 Pro Tip: Our ongoing support costs less than what you'll save from better processing rates. Typical ROI: 3-6 months.
When Toast IS the Right Choice
✅ Toast Works Great For:
- ✓ Full-service restaurants with complex menus and table service
- ✓ High-volume operations that need robust reporting and analytics
- ✓ Restaurants using online ordering and delivery integrations heavily
- ✓ Multi-location groups needing centralized management
- ✓ Tech-forward operators who value modern UX and integrations
❌ Toast Might Not Be Ideal For:
- ✗ Very small operations where high CC fees outweigh integration value
- ✗ Cash-heavy businesses (delis, pizza shops) with low credit card volume
- ✗ Bars and nightclubs focused on tabs and speed (SmartTab is better)
- ✗ Budget-conscious startups needing the absolute lowest processing rates
- ✗ Operators wanting full control over payment processor choice
Not sure if Toast is right for you? That's exactly why we offer free pre-purchase consulting. We'll analyze your operation and tell you the truth—even if that means recommending a different system.
Don't Sign That Toast Contract Yet
One phone call could save you thousands per year in processing fees and give you expert support for life.