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With hundreds of point-of-sale (POS) providers in Australia, selecting the right one can be an overwhelming task. In this article, we outline the key factors to consider when choosing a POS, and recommend some of the best providers for your industry. If you’re a new or existing business owner, by now, you probably know  what a point-of-sale system is and how it works . The next step is choosing a solution that is appropriate to your business size and industry. To help make the right decision, read our list of considerations below and make note of which ones are the most (and least) important to your business, so that when you’re in conversation with a POS provider, you can be well equipped to ask the right questions. Then, learn which POS providers are the most popular among cafes, quick-service restaurants, dine-in restaurants, retail businesses, and bars and clubs. Important considerations when choosing the best POS system for your business. Hardware POS hardware refers to the physical devices that make up your POS system. This could include any or all of: a computer or display unit, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, a cash drawer, and an EFTPOS machine. While large businesses may require a full suite of hardware, many smaller businesses can get away with little more than a tablet or smartphone. Portable devices like Zeller Terminal 2 (which has a POS system built-in) are often referred to as mobile POS or ‘ mPOS ’, and they provide excellent functionality, allowing merchants to do everything from managing their inventory to taking payments all from the one machine. Software The functionality of the POS software will arguably be the biggest factor in determining your final choice. If you are a retail business, you may want to prioritise a robust inventory management system – this will allow you to easily track stock levels, anticipate when popular items will run out, and stay on budget. For hospitality businesses, a floor management system may also be required to manage table seating and reservations. Additional functionality includes sales reporting, for managing cash flow; employee management, for automatically logging hours and tracking performance; and customer relationship management (CRM), for collecting customer data and implementing targeted marketing campaigns. While these are the most common and basic features of POS systems, those designed for individual industries will offer even more specialised features. Ease of use Think about who will be using the POS system on a day-to-day basis. Do you have a high turnover rate of employees? If so, consider how easy it will be to train new staff to use the software. A simple, intuitive interface will greatly reduce human error, which, in a fast-paced environment, could be critical. Integration For most businesses, their POS provider cannot just work alone, it will need to be able to integrate into a number of different systems. The accounting software,  payments provider , and/or e-commerce platform you use (or are planning to use) should ideally integrate with your POS system. By enabling information to flow easily between systems, you will greatly increase the efficiency of your operations, saving you and your team time and money. Take note of what platforms a POS provider integrates with before making a decision, as this can become a frustrating roadblock later on if it is neglected. Customer support How quickly and easily you can contact your POS provider is something that can be easily overlooked – but it’s extremely important. If you decide to go with a POS system that offers all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t have anyone to pick up the phone when you need help, this will quickly lead to frustration and potentially lost revenue. Check the provider’s website and LinkedIn: are their offices based in Australia? What are their customer service hours? Do they have a robust support centre with help articles and troubleshooting resources? Will you be assigned an account manager? Additionally, how quickly you need to get up and running is an important consideration. Many traditional POS providers require a technician to come out and set up the hardware and software, whereas newer web-based systems are often self-service and can be entirely set up remotely. Multi-location Do you run a multi-location operation or are you planning on scaling in the future? If so, it’s important to be sure that the POS software is equipped to deal with multi-venue requirements. Being able to push updates to machines at several venues at once, aggregating reporting from all venues, and monitoring stock transfers between locations, are just some of the features you’ll want to ensure your POS provider can support. Cost With varying pieces of equipment, features, minimum requirements, and pricing models, understanding exactly how much you’re going to pay for a POS service is not easy. To avoid bill-shock later on, make sure you understand exactly how each aspect of the service is priced. Are you buying the hardware outright or will you access it on a rental agreement? Is the software licence a one-time purchase or a monthly/annual subscription? Is there a cost associated with ongoing support and maintenance? Will you pay a fee each time a transaction is processed through the POS? Ensure you ask any potential POS provider all these questions before signing a contract. Best POS providers by industry The table below presents some of the best POS providers available to Australian business owners, organised by industry, with some of their noteworthy features listed on the right hand side. For a comprehensive list of features, be sure to contact the POS provider directly and request a demo before signing up. Let Zeller manage your payments. No matter how you prefer to manage your checkout process, Zeller is Australia’s leading payments provider, tailored to meet your business needs. For smaller or mobile businesses with a limited inventory, Zeller offers Zeller POS Lite, built into Zeller Terminal 2 at no extra cost. Larger, more established businesses can benefit from Zeller Terminal’s seamless integration with over 600 different POS platforms. Whether you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective mobile solution or a fully integrated EFTPOS machine with advanced features like tipping, bill-splitting, and custom screensavers, Zeller’s platform is designed to evolve with your business. Chat with our sales team today to set up Zeller POS Lite, or explore our Zeller Partner Hub to find the perfect POS integration for your business.

For Australian merchants, card fees are a necessary cost of doing business. Every time a customer pays with a card or digital wallet, the merchant pays a fee to process that transaction. These fees might seem small per transaction, but they can add up if you’re not monitoring your costs, and ensuring you’re optimising your business payments for affordability. Many business owners find merchant fees confusing or buried in complex statements, so understanding how merchant fees work is crucial for protecting your profits. In this guide, we’ll break down what merchant fees are, how electronic payments are processed, the different types of fees and pricing models, and why fees vary. By demystifying merchant fees, you can take control of your payment costs and keep more of each sale in your business. What are merchant fees? Merchant fees are the costs businesses pay to accept and process electronic payments. In simple terms, whenever a customer taps, dips or swipes their credit or debit card (or uses a mobile wallet), a small fee is charged for securely and efficiently moving the money from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account. This fee, often called a merchant service fee, covers the technology and infrastructure that make instant, secure card payments possible. Compare merchant fees in Australia. How electronic payments are authorised. When a customer makes a card payment, there are several players working behind the scenes to authorise the transaction. Each participant in this chain may charge a small fee for their role, and together these make up what the merchant ultimately pays as fees for the transaction. For online payments, a payment gateway serves a similar role to the terminal, securely sending transaction data to the acquirer. Types of merchant fees. Not all merchant fees are created equal. Here are the most common categories: Transaction fees These are the fees charged on each card transaction, usually calculated as a percentage of the sale and sometimes with an additional fixed amount. This includes the interchange fee (paid to the cardholder’s bank), scheme or network fees (charged by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or EFTPOS), and any fees charged by your payment provider to cover their operating costs. Terminal and equipment fees If you use an EFTPOS terminal, you may be charged a rental or purchase fee. Some providers lease terminals on a monthly basis, while others let you buy the hardware outright. Zeller charges no ongoing rental fees, your terminal is yours to keep, and you can purchase one for as little as $99. Account and service fees These might include monthly account fees, statement fees, payment gateway fees, or inactivity charges. Zeller does not charge any of these fees whatsoever.  Situational fees These include chargeback fees, refund fees, international transaction fees, early termination fees, and more. Zeller does not charge any of these fees whatsoever.  Understanding merchant fee pricing models. The way your fees are structured matters. Here are the three main pricing models used in Australia: Flat-rate pricing One fixed rate for all transactions, which is simple and predictable. For example, Zeller charges a flat 1.4% on all tapped, dipped or swiped card payments, no matter the card type – even American Express.  Interchange-plus pricing This breaks down the wholesale cost (interchange and scheme fees) and adds a fixed provider charge on top. It offers transparency, but your fees may vary month to month depending on your transaction mix. Tiered pricing Transactions are grouped into “tiers” with different rates, depending on the perceived cost or risk. It’s the least transparent model and often leads to bill shock. Many businesses avoid it for that reason. Why do merchant fees vary? Card transaction fees can change depending on several factors, like: Card type Debit cards usually have lower fees than credit cards. Rewards cards (particularly premium ones) typically cost merchants more due to higher interchange fees – but not with Zeller. We charge the same flat rate across all major card types, including American Express. Transaction method Card-present transactions (tapped or inserted cards accepted in-person) cost less than card-not-present transactions (online or keyed-in), due to decreased risk of cardholder fraud. Card country of origin International card payments usually incur higher fees due to currency conversion, cross-border processing, and enhanced fraud protection. Unlike many providers, however, Zeller maintains consistent merchant fees for both domestic and international transactions. How to reduce your merchant fees. Here are five key ways to get your merchant fees under control: Review your statements: Understand exactly how much you’re being charged, and for what. Check if you’re paying hidden fees you weren’t aware of. Ask your provider questions: Request a detailed fee breakdown. Ask if better rates are available, or if you can switch to a more cost-effective plan. Compare providers: If your fees seem too high, shop around. Look for transparent pricing with no lock-in contracts or hidden charges. The Zeller Sales team can help you compare offerings from providers – get in touch here . Consider surcharging: Surcharging is allowed in Australia, but only to the extent of your actual cost of acceptance. Be transparent and stay within RBA and ACCC guidelines. Reduce fraud and chargebacks: Implement good fraud controls . Fewer chargebacks mean fewer surprise costs. Even small changes, like switching to a provider with better pricing or reviewing how your customers pay, can significantly reduce your merchant fees over time. What to ask when choosing a payment provider. Before signing with a payment provider (or when reviewing the merchant fees offered by your current provider), ask: – What pricing model do you use? – Are there any setup, rental, monthly or cancellation fees? – Do rates vary by card type or transaction method? – Can I purchase my terminal instead of renting it? – Are your statements transparent? – What POS and accounting integrations do you offer? – What fraud protection tools are included? – What customer support is available if something goes wrong? A good provider should be able to answer these questions clearly and confidently. If they can’t, that’s a red flag. Zeller – a lot more than just lower fees. A flat, transparent 1.4% rate on every card payment is great, but Zeller gives you even more ways to optimise your business finances.  With Zeller, payments are settled nightly into your Zeller Business Transaction Account 7 days a week, giving you fast access to your money. And with a Zeller Savings Account , you can earn interest at a rate significantly higher than what the big-4 banks offer. Plus, tools like Zeller Invoices streamline your billing process, while the Zeller Debit Card lets you spend directly from your business funds. Smart, integrated, cost-efficient and powerful – purpose-built for modern business.

For Australian businesses, choosing the right business bank account isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Between traditional banks, online-only challengers, and modern fintech alternatives like Zeller, the options are broader than ever – and more confusing. This guide compares some of the top options in Australia, from the Big Four to rising digital banking platforms, so you can choose the right account for your needs, whether you're a sole trader, freelancer, small business or scaling company. Compare top Australian business accounts to see why Zeller Transaction Account stands out. As you can see from the table above, Zeller either matches or beats the big-4 banks in almost every area. Traditional banks like CommBank, NAB, Westpac and ANZ each offer business accounts with in-branch service, cash handling and international payment features. While these can suit businesses that still rely on physical banking, they often come with higher monthly fees and less flexible digital tools. The two limitations to a Zeller Business Transaction Account are depositing cash and multi-currency accounts. Zeller merchants typically overcome this by: – keeping a separate bank account with a traditional bank for the sole purpose of depositing cash, then sending the money directly to their Zeller Business Transaction Account – keeping international currencies with another provider (like Wise or Airwallex).   Note: Zeller is working towards offering multi-currency accounts, so watch this space! Understanding business bank accounts: what they are and why they're essential. A business bank account isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a key part of running a compliant, professional and scalable operation. Here’s why you need one: Legal and tax compliance : If you're registered for GST or operate as a company, you’ll need a dedicated account for your business transactions. Simplified admin : Separating personal and business finances makes reconciling income, preparing for BAS, and managing deductions far easier. Professionalism : Customers take you more seriously, and are more likely to trust your business, when invoices and payments come from a business bank account. Cash flow control : Monitor your business incomings and outgoings more clearly to make faster decisions. Access to finance : It’s typically a requirement for business loans, overdrafts, business credit cards, and trade accounts. Types of business bank accounts in Australia. In Australia, there are a few core types of business accounts on offer, such as: Transaction accounts : Your day-to-day account for receiving payments, making purchases, paying suppliers. Savings accounts : For earning interest on unused business funds. Term deposits : Lock away funds for a set time to earn higher interest. Offset accounts : Linked to a business loan, helping reduce interest payments. Key factors to consider when choosing a business bank account. Fees Monthly fees, overdraft fees, dishonour fees, and FX costs can vary widely amongst business banks. For example: – Traditional banks may charge $10-$25/month just to keep the account open– Overdraft fees can be surprisingly high and feel unnecessarily punitive– International payments might include conversion fees or transfer costs– Staff-assisted transactions and even electronic transactions can also incur more fees This last point is worth illustrating with two examples: 1. CommBank charges $5 per staff-assisted transaction on business accounts 2.  Bendigo Bank charges $0.40 per electronic transaction on their Business Basic Account In contrast, Zeller Business Transaction Account has no fees whatsoever . For small businesses, especially those just starting out, these savings can quickly add up. Access and convenience In business, time is money. You’ll want an account that’s easy to use and built for purpose. Consider things like: – Does the online banking interface have a clean, modern design? – Does it have powerful transaction filtering and searching? – Is the mobile app easy to use on the go? ( Zeller App is rated 4.2 on the App Store) – Can you access help when you need it? (Zeller offers 24/7 online access and support) More businesses are moving away from needing face-to-face banking and instead placing higher value on mobile-first platforms that work wherever they are. Account features Choosing a business account isn’t just about the basics. The right features can save you time, reduce admin, and give you more control over how your business operates. For example, a Zeller Business Transaction Account offers you: Cards: Zeller lets you issue unlimited free physical and virtual debit cards with custom spending limits. You can also generate single-use virtual cards for added security when shopping online. Multi-user access: Give team members custom access, so they can view balances, send invoices or manage cards, without full account control. Integrations: You can easily connect your Zeller Business Transaction Account to tools like Xero for easy bookkeeping. Reporting: Built-in analytics, spending breakdowns, and receipt capture with Zeller. Access to interest: A Zeller Savings Account allows you to earn significantly more interest than with a traditional big-4 bank. Transaction categorisation: Automatically sort and label incoming and outgoing payments, helping you track spending by type, supplier or category. Multiple accounts: Spin up extra accounts for different projects, teams or business locations – no paperwork or branch visit required. Real-time fund transfers: Move money instantly via Australia's New Payment Platform (NPP). BPAY: Quickly and easily pay suppliers directly from your dashboard using BPAY. Security and regulation Traditional banks are Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs), so deposits are protected by the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), a government guarantee of up to $250,000 if the bank was to fail. With Zeller, customer funds are held in a segregated account at a fully-regulated, authorised Australian bank. Zeller also maintains strict compliance protocols, and uses advanced encryption, fraud monitoring and multi-factor authentication to keep your business finances secure. For many modern businesses, the benefits of speed, flexibility and innovation make this a smart, secure, and trusted alternative to traditional banking. Customer support Zeller offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email and SMS – so whether you need help setting up your account, have a question about a transaction, or are sorting something urgent during tax time, you can speak to someone when it matters most. Unlike many traditional providers, support isn't limited to business hours or ticket-based systems, you’ll speak to a real human with experience in supporting Aussie businesses. Suitability for your business type Every business is different. The right account for your business should suit your operating model, whether you're client-facing, retail-based, or remote. For example: Sole traders/freelancers often prioritise ease of use and low fees Growing businesses typically look for multi-user access, cards, and integrations Retailers/tradies frequently find POS and EFTPOS integration can make a huge difference International traders need strong FX capabilities and multi-currency accounts. Real-world examples: who should choose what? Not every business needs the same thing from their transaction account. Here are a few common scenarios to help you match features to your business type. Tradie on the road Zeller’s mobile-first setup, SMS invoicing and no-branch model means you can quote, invoice and track payments without ever setting foot in a bank. Freelancer with local clients Zeller gives you all the essentials with no monthly cost, plus faster access to funds to keep your cash flow healthy. Import/export business Wise and Airwallex make more sense here, with multi-currency accounts and competitive FX. Zeller does not currently offer multi-currency accounts yet, but has plans to do so in the future. Brick and mortar retailer Zeller integrates with EFTPOS and provides detailed sales tracking across channels. How to open a business account in Australia. Opening a business account in Australia is fairly straightforward, but exact requirements can vary slightly between providers. Here’s what to expect. In most cases, you’ll need: – A business name – An ABN or ACN – An industry type – Personal ID (driver licence or passport) – Business contact details – In some cases, business structure documentation (e.g. partnership agreement) With Zeller, the process is 100% online and takes just a few minutes. No paperwork. No queues. Just fast onboarding and instant access to your transaction account and cards. Managing your business account effectively. Once you’ve opened your account, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it: Separate personal and business spending so your bookkeeping is cleaner and reconciling transactions is easier come tax time. Use categories and tags to track expenses by type – this helps you understand where your money’s going and identify areas to reduce spend. Review reports monthly to spot trends, catch anomalies, and stay on top of cash flow. Set up automatic payments to ensure bills, wages and subscriptions are always paid on time. Stay on top of GST and BAS by regularly exporting your records, so you’re never scrambling at lodgement time. Zeller makes all this easy, with built-in notes, digital receipts, auto-categorisation and integrations that connect your financial activity directly to your accounting software. So, which account is right for your business? The best business account depends on your priorities, but if you're an Australian business looking for a modern, mobile-first, all-in-one platform that’s free to use, integrates with your tools, and helps you manage everything from invoicing to spending, Zeller offers a strong alternative to the big-4 Australian banks. A Zeller Business Transaction Account is fast to set up, simple to use, and purpose-built for how Aussie businesses operate.

With tax time almost upon us, we caught up with Lloyd Richardson , CEO of Jim’s Tax and a Fellow CPA, to get his perspective on what small business owners need to keep in mind as the end of the financial year approaches. Lloyd has spent more than 40 years in the accounting world – he grew up in the industry, took over his father’s practice, and now heads up a 60-strong network of tax agents and bookkeepers across the country, so you could say he knows a thing or two about tax.  Read on to learn his practical, no-nonsense advice for small business owners looking to get the most out of this end of financial year.  Preparing your small business for EOFY tax. Question: How far in advance should small businesses start preparing for EOFY? Answer: Small business owners generally prepare BAS statements quarterly, and that’s when you should be thinking about your end-of-year tax too. A good bookkeeper will prep your financials quarterly and refer them to a tax agent, who can then estimate your tax position. It’s always better to plan early, but a lot of businesses wait until June and panic. You need a proactive bookkeeper. A Jim’s bookkeeper is trained to handle this, and then your tax agent (hopefully also a Jim’s Tax person!) will review it at tax time. But at a minimum, your accounts should be updated quarterly. Key financial documents for EOFY tax. Question: What key documents or reports should small businesses have ready? Answer: Importantly, you need a profit and loss statement and a balance sheet, ideally on an accrual basis. These help determine profitability based on your business structure – whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, trust or company.  Remember that GST is typically calculated on a cash basis – money in, money out. But small business tax is done on an accrual basis – what’s been invoiced. That’s why it’s so important to know whether you’re reporting on a cash or accrual basis, it affects when income is counted. You should have your financials up to date by the end of March. Then in early June you can sit down and ask yourself (and your tax agent), “What’s my profitability up to March? How much have I earned in April and May, and what can I do before June 30 to legally minimise tax?” Common EOFY tax deductions and overlooked claims.  Question: Are there any deductions or claims that often get overlooked? Answer: There are two sides to EOFY planning – income and expenses. On the expenses side, look at your debtors. Write off bad debts before 30 June or you’ll be taxed on them. Check your depreciation schedule too – sometimes there’s old plant and equipment that’s been written off or no longer exists. Write it off and claim the deduction. Also, pay expenses before the end of June and delay income if you can. For example, if I finish a job on 29 June, I might not invoice until 1 July (subject to cash flow, of course) and that pushes the tax into the next year. EOFY tax tips by business structure (sole trader, company, trust). Question: What steps should sole traders take that might differ from those with staff or a company structure? Answer: Sole traders pay tax on net profit. Super isn’t compulsory for sole traders, which catches people out. You can contribute up to $30,000 into super and claim it as a deduction – taxed at 15% in super instead of up to 47%. Companies should keep an eye on debit loans – directors drawing from the company. You’ve got to sort those before EOFY or they’ll be taxed as unfranked dividends. Directors can also contribute to their super – up to $30k per director) – and if you haven’t used your full contribution cap in the last five years, you can add more. If you’ve got staff and your pay run starts 1 July, consider paying it early on 30 June so you can claim the deduction this year. You can pay expenses up to 12 months in advance. And if you buy plant and equipment under $20k and receive it before 30 June, you can write off 100% of it. Over $20k, you have to depreciate it. 2025 ATO guidance for small businesses at EOFY. Question: Have you seen any recent changes in ATO guidance that business owners should be across Answer: The ATO is focused on trusts this year. If you operate through a family trust, make sure your distribution minutes are done before 30 June to allocate profit to beneficiaries. If not, the whole lot could be taxed at up to 47%. Be careful with trust distributions to companies too, that’s under scrutiny. If you’re in a company, sort out your debit loans before EOFY. If you don’t, they might be taxed as income. Super and wage adjustments can help, but don’t go throwing around massive bonuses, your structure has to support it. Overcoming EOFY tax stress. Question: For business owners who feel overwhelmed by EOFY, what’s your advice? Answer: Talk to a Jim’s Tax agent. The first step is getting your accounts up to date, at least to March, so you’ve got a clear idea of where you stand. What’s your actual net profit? What tax is payable? What’s already been paid through your BAS? Once you know those numbers, the fear factor drops and you can take action if needed. A lot of people get overwhelmed because they don’t have the right info in front of them. If your books are a mess, EOFY can feel like a mountain. But if you’ve kept things tidy through the year, or get someone to help you sort it out now, it becomes much more manageable. I do the same process in my own business – I check receivables and payables, think about super, and look at expenses I might bring forward. Also, another big benefit of using a tax agent is that your return can be lodged as late as May or June the following year. If you’re not using a tax agent, it’s due by the end of October.   Reviewing business performance at EOFY. Question: What should business owners be asking themselves (or their advisors) when reviewing the past financial year? Answer: Start by getting your accounts up to date – that’s non-negotiable. Then ask the basics: “What’s my net profit? How much tax is payable? What have I already paid?” Once you’ve got those answers, the next question is “What can I do before 30 June to reduce my tax?” That’s the conversation you want to be having with your tax agent. EOFY is also a good time to reflect on what went well and what didn’t go so well over the past 12 months. Were your margins healthy? Are you on top of your cash flow? Is your structure still the right fit? Those kinds of questions can lead to smarter decisions for the year ahead. Quick 2025 EOFY tax wins for small businesses. Question: What are some quick wins business owners can take in the final month of the financial year? Answer: Pay super before June 30, that’s a big one. If you’ve run a payroll and you know what super is owed, pay it a few business days before 30 June so it lands in the fund on time – then you can claim the deduction this year. If you miss the cut-off, you can’t claim it until next year, even if you pay it in early July. Delay income where it makes sense, bring expenses forward where possible and write off bad debts. Review your depreciation schedule — if you’ve bought any assets under $20k and started using them before 30 June, you can claim the full deduction this year. It’s not about magic tricks, it’s about good management. The small things can make a big difference when they’re done right and done on time. Business restructuring or system changes at 2025 EOFY. Question: Should business owners consider restructuring, changing systems or adjusting payment schedules at EOFY? Answer: If you’re thinking about changing structure, say from sole trader to company or trust, EOFY is the time to do it. You can wrap things up neatly on 30 June and start fresh on 1 July. It’s much easier from a bookkeeping and reporting point of view, otherwise you’re dealing with a crossover year, and that just creates more complexity. The same goes for system changes. If you’re switching accounting software, or introducing a new payroll or invoicing system, 1 July is a clean starting point.  EOFY is a natural point to review how your business is running. If something’s not working, now’s the time to make a change, but always get advice first so you’re not creating a bigger headache down the track.

For many Australian businesses, invoicing is still a time-consuming, manual task – even in 2025. Whether it’s creating Word or Excel templates, chasing late payments, or staying on top of GST and BAS obligations, invoicing can quickly turn into a mess of paperwork and frustration. But the right invoicing software doesn’t just make it easier to send professional invoices. It helps you get paid faster, improves your cash flow, reduces errors, and saves you hours each week. It also gives your customers more convenient ways to pay and makes your business look more polished and trustworthy. This guide compares some of the top invoicing software options for Australian small businesses, freelancers, sole traders and tradies, with a close look at how Zeller stacks up as an all-in-one solution. Use the table below to see how Zeller Invoices stacks up against other popular invoicing tools. Why your Australian business needs invoicing software. Whether you’re a plumber, graphic designer, or running a café, invoicing is at the heart of your business operations. Invoicing isn’t just a box to tick, it's one of the most important touchpoints between you and your customers. Here’s why switching to proper invoicing software is a smart move: Get paid faster : Offer an instant, secure payment option and reduce the back-and-forth Easier for your customers: Save your customers from having to manually transfer funds Look more professional : Send polished, branded invoices in a few clicks Save time : Automate invoice payment reminders, recurring invoices, and more Stay compliant : Automatically handle GST to help you prepare for BAS Track everything : See who’s paid, who hasn’t, and what’s overdue Work on the go : Create and send invoices from your phone or tablet By choosing the right invoicing tool, you'll be giving your cash flow a boost and freeing yourself to focus on growing your business. How to choose the best invoicing software for your Australian business. Not all invoicing tools are made the same. Some are built into broader accounting platforms while others are standalone tools. If you’re shopping around, here are the key features and criteria to consider: Ease of use and interface A clean, intuitive interface on your invoice app is essential, especially if you’re not naturally a numbers person. Look for software that’s genuinely easy to use, whether you’re sending invoices from your desktop, or directly from your smartphone when you’re on the go.  Invoicing features Naturally, you want flexibility and control. Does the software let you invoice on the go? Can you add your logo and colours to your invoices? Apply discounts or GST line items? Track invoice status? Set up recurring or scheduled invoices? Zeller Invoices does all that and more.  Payment acceptance and speed Getting paid quickly matters. Does the software support secure credit card payments? Can customers pay instantly via a secure link? Just as importantly, how quickly do those funds land in your account – within a few business days, or by the next day? With Zeller Invoices, funds settle nightly into your Zeller Business Transaction account. So when your customers pay, you’ll have your funds by the next morning.   Integration and ecosystem Good invoicing software should integrate with your other tools, especially accounting software like Xero. But beyond that, some solutions (like Zeller Invoices) are part of a bigger ecosystem of financial tools that include EFTPOS terminals, transaction accounts, debit cards, reporting, and more. This integrated ecosystem approach can save you time and reduce complexity. Pricing model and value Many platforms advertise a free plan, but keep their features locked behind a paywall. Consider how pricing scales as your business grows, and make sure you’re not paying monthly fees for features you don’t need. Zeller Invoices has no monthly fees, and it’s free to create and send an unlimited number of invoices at no cost to your business. AU tax compliance Running a business in Australia with an annual turnover above $75,000 means GST obligations and BAS reporting. Your invoicing software should make that easier, not harder. Choose a tool (like Zeller) that lets you toggle GST and export records for BAS. Support and local relevance Does the provider offer local support in Australian time zones? Are help documents written with Australian businesses in mind? Are fees listed in AUD? Local understanding can make a big difference. Zeller’s support team is here to support you 24/7 via phone, email, or SMS. Top invoicing software options in Australia (and how Zeller Invoices compares). There’s no shortage of invoicing software out there, but not all are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top platforms used by Australian businesses. Zeller Invoices Zeller Invoices is built specifically for Australian small businesses. You can create and send unlimited invoices for free, and accept online payments via Zeller’s secure payment gateway. Funds settle nightly into a free Zeller Transaction Account. It also lets you: – Customise invoices with your logo, colours and branding – Send invoices via email or SMS – Track payment status in real time – Automate reminders for late payments – Create and send invoices from your phone – Accept payments online with just a tap from your customer All this without paying any monthly subscription fees, or locking key features behind a paywall. Square Invoices Square’s invoicing tools are tightly integrated with its POS ecosystem. It offers a decent free tier, though many features require paid upgrades. Payments take 1 to 2 business days to settle, and the interface leans retail-first. Xero Invoicing Xero is first and foremost accounting software, but it includes invoicing features as part of its paid plans. It’s strong on reporting and BAS prep, but you’ll need to pay $32+ per month. That’s not ideal if invoicing is all you need, or if you’re just looking to get started with your first online invoicing tool or mobile invoicing app. Invoice2go Invoice2go focuses on mobile-friendly invoicing, particularly for tradies and on-the-go professionals. It offers solid features but quickly gets expensive, with plans starting at $12.99/month and limits on clients and invoices. MYOB and QuickBooks These are traditional accounting platforms with invoicing bolted on. MYOB has decent features, but its UI can feel clunky. QuickBooks is more modern, but comes with monthly fees and isn’t built for mobile-first use. Why Zeller Invoices really stands out. Zeller Invoices is built for the way modern Australian businesses actually work. Mobile-first, tax-compliant, and designed to help you get paid fast. Here’s what sets it apart. It’s free to create and send invoices There are no monthly fees, no invoice send limits, and no hidden costs. You only pay a small fee of 1.7% +25¢ for domestic cards (separate pricing for international cards) when a customer pays using their card. That’s it. No surprises.  It’s made for mobile With Zeller App, you can create, send and manage invoices on the go, in under 30 seconds. Send invoices by email or SMS, track them in real time, and manage everything from your phone. You don’t need to be in the office to run your business. Fast payments = better cash flow Payments made online via Zeller Invoices are processed fast, with funds settling nightly into your Zeller Transaction Account. That’s money you can use sooner, whether you’re paying suppliers or investing back into the business. Built for Australian businesses  From GST toggling to BAS-friendly reporting and local support, Zeller Invoices is designed for Aussie businesses from the ground up. You won’t waste time trying to adapt US-centric software to suit local needs. Easy for your customers Your customers can pay securely online via card or mobile wallet, straight from the invoice. No app or login required. In fact, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid in under 24 hours. Integrated with the full Zeller ecosystem Zeller Invoices connects to your Zeller Transaction Account , which can easily also be connected to your Zeller EFTPOS terminal and Zeller Debit Card . Having everything in one place means less admin, fewer systems to juggle, lower costs, and better visibility of your cash flow. Choosing the right software for your business type. Still unsure which software is right for you? Here’s a quick guide to help guide your decision. Tradies : Zeller Invoices makes it super simple to create and send an invoice while still on-site. With no monthly fees and fast payments, it’s a natural fit for businesses on the move. Freelancers : Zeller helps you send professional invoices, manage your cash flow, and stay on top of tax – all from your phone, and all without paying a subscription. You’ll save time and look more professional than with an outdated PDF invoice.  Retailers : Zeller’s integrated ecosystem means you can take payments in person and send invoices when needed, all from the same platform. Everything’s connected. Service providers : If your business relies on recurring invoices, payment tracking, and brand consistency, Zeller gives you the tools to manage it all with ease. It’s simple, efficient, and professional. Growing businesses : Whether you're scaling up or streamlining, Zeller’s free invoicing software works alongside your EFTPOS, accounts, and more, with no extra logins or tools needed. For most Australian small businesses, Zeller Invoices delivers what others promise – a convenient, modern and flexible way to send invoices and get paid faster.  Ready to level up your invoicing? It’s easy to start doing all your invoicing with Zeller.   1. Download Zeller App Get the free Zeller App from the App Store or Google Play . Sign in with your Zeller Account, or create one online in minutes. 2. Set up your invoice template Head to Invoices in the main menu of Zeller App, then tap Settings. From there you can upload your business logo, add details for your receipts, customise colours, and more. 3. Create and send your first invoice Once you’re ready, click the ‘+ Invoice’ button and follow the steps to create and send your first invoice. You'll receive an email and push notification as soon as the invoice is paid. If you're ready to take the hassle out of invoicing and start getting paid faster, it's time to try the best free mobile invoicing app in Australia.

Tucked down a quiet side street in Perth’s CBD, MODU Bar & Kitchen brings a bold and vibrant take on Asian fusion dining. Inspired by early 20th-century Shanghai – known as the ‘City of Magic’ – owner Raymond Kwok and his team have created a venue that balances energy with elegance, tradition with innovation. “We wanted to create an Asian fusion venue that sits closer to the Asian side of fusion,” explains Raymond. “A lot of fusion spots tend to lean Western, but we wanted to stay true to our roots. MODU captures the magic and vibrancy of old Shanghai, bringing that mix of cultures and traditions into our food, cocktails and atmosphere.” MODU seamlessly blends traditional Chinese cooking methods with modern Western flair, crafting a menu that pairs perfectly with its innovative cocktails infused with Chinese ingredients. As the night unfolds, the venue transforms from an upscale lunch spot for corporate diners into a dynamic bar with live music. It's a destination where people gather, celebrate, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere that’s as refined as it is inviting. A polished solution for a sophisticated restaurant. As a thriving restaurant-bar in the heart of Perth, MODU needed a payment system that matched its style and sophistication. After struggling with traditional bank EFTPOS systems, MODU decided to make the switch to Zeller. “It’s been about a year with Zeller,” says Kwok. “Before that, we were with one of the big 4 banks, but we had so many issues – near-zero customer support, and having to do manual surcharge calculations was an annoying extra step.” One of the biggest selling points was Zeller’s competitive merchant fees and the (optional) built-in surcharging functionality. “With the big 4 bank, we either had to manually calculate the surcharge or press a special button on the POS system. Zeller makes it all straightforward – everything is automatically calculated. We don’t have to mess around with it.” MODU’s success with Zeller even led to Tony Roma’s, another venue owned by Kwok, switching to Zeller as well. Beautifully itemised bills keep the bean counters happy. MODU caters to a significant number of corporate clients who require precise billing transparency for expense claims. “The integration and clarity really help us,” explains Kwok. “Our POS system is Redcat, and having a seamless integration for things like tipping – where it’s clearly displayed on the bill – prevents discrepancies. If a finance department sees a $1,000 bill and there’s an extra 10% unaccounted for, that’s $100. Everything needs to match up, and Zeller makes that easy.” Striking the right ambience into the early morning. MODU’s atmospheric setting makes it an ideal spot for both dining and nightlife. With a 70/30 drinks-to-food sales split, the venue operates like a high-end bar while maintaining a full kitchen setup. “In the afternoon, corporate people come in for lunch. As the sun sets, it becomes a moody dining spot, and later it transforms into a late-night live music bar,” says Kwok. “Some people dine elsewhere and then come to us for after-dinner drinks or work drinks.” A partnership that powers growth. As MODU continues to evolve, Zeller remains a key part of its operations. With smooth payments combined with great customer support, Zeller has helped MODU focus on what it does best – creating an unforgettable dining and nightlife experience in Perth. “Zeller has been great for us,” says Kwok. “The EFTPOS system is seamless, and the customer support has been fantastic. It’s made our whole payment process much easier. I look forward to working with Zeller as we keep growing.”

There’s a lot to think about when starting a business, and how to invoice your clients probably isn’t the most glamorous item on that list. But there’s nothing like getting paid for the first time – and to do that, you’ll need to create an invoice. If you haven’t done it before, making your first invoice can feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry, it’s easy once you know the basics.  In this ultimate beginner’s guide, we’ll explain what an invoice is and why they’re important, plus walk you step-by-step through how to create one from scratch. We’ll also discuss why good invoice design matters, and show how purpose-built invoicing software like Zeller Invoices can make the whole process much easier. By the end, you’ll be invoicing like a pro.  What is an invoice? Understanding the basics for your business. An invoice is a bill you send to a client for goods or services you’ve provided. It details what was provided, how much is owed, who needs to pay whom, and by when. Invoices create a formal record of a sale – they’re not just paperwork, but a critical part of managing your business’s finances. Why are invoices so important? For one, they help you get paid. A clear invoice tells your client exactly what to pay and by when, making it more likely you’ll receive payment on time. Proper invoicing also protects your cash flow, helps you maintain accurate records, and ensures you meet your tax obligations​. If you don’t get your invoicing right, it can result in delays that can seriously impact your business. Research has shown that late payments cost Australian small businesses around $1.1 billion in a year​. Finally, invoices are often required by law for taxes and accounting. They serve as evidence of income when you file your tax returns or Business Activity Statements. In short, a well-made invoice not only gets you paid faster, it helps keep your business organised and compliant. How to create an invoice from scratch. Ready to make your first invoice? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to create an invoice from scratch. You can use a word processor (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs), a spreadsheet (like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), or an electronic invoicing solution like Zeller Invoices. The key is to include all the necessary details and present them clearly. 1. Start with your business details: At the top of the invoice, include your business name (or your own name if you’re a sole trader) and contact information. This typically means your address, phone number, and email. If you have a business logo, add it to give the invoice a professional touch. Crucially, add your Australian Business Number (ABN) on the invoice – we’ll explain why this is so important in the next section. 2. Add your client’s information: Next, list the recipient’s details. Include your client’s name (or business name) and their address. For businesses, it’s good practice to include their ABN as well, especially for larger invoices. Including the customer’s details personalises the invoice and ensures it’s clear who is being billed. It also helps you and the client to keep records. Note that if you’re invoicing another business and the total is over $1,000, Australian law actually requires you to include the buyer’s identity or ABN on the invoice​ – and there’s nothing wrong with including both. 3. Assign an invoice number and date: To help you track payments and refer to specific jobs, every invoice should have a unique invoice number, e.g. INV-01, INV-02, etc. Also include the date of issue (the date you’re sending the invoice). Invoice numbers and dates are crucial for record-keeping. They allow you to track your invoices chronologically and are helpful if you need to follow up on unpaid bills or sort out any confusion. 4. Describe the goods or services provided: Provide a clear, itemised list of what you’re billing for. In a simple table or list form, include each product or service, along with a short description, the quantity, and the price for each item or unit. Being specific here is important – it reminds the client exactly what they’re paying for, and prevents misunderstandings. 5. Calculate subtotals and include GST (if applicable): As you’ll see in the example above, you should show the subtotal (the sum of all item prices) and any GST, if applicable, on your invoice. GST is a 10% tax on most goods and services in Australia. You should indicate the amount of GST included in the price or add it on as a separate line. For a Tax Invoice (an invoice that includes GST), you can either list prices as GST-inclusive and note “Total price includes GST”, or show the GST amount for each item or for the subtotal separately​. If you’re not registered for GST, don’t add GST to your prices (it’s illegal), and don’t mark the invoice as a “Tax Invoice”. Instead, just call it an ‘Invoice’. Learn more about GST here. 6. Show the total amount due: This is the bottom-line figure you’re asking the client to pay. It’s usually in bold or otherwise highlighted for clarity. It’s a good idea to add a word like ‘due’ to subtly reinforce that action is required. 7. Specify payment terms and due date: This is a critical part of the invoice. Payment terms tell your client how and when to pay you. Common payment terms for small businesses might be “Payment due 14 days from invoice date” or “Net 30 days” (meaning the client has 30 days to pay). Choose a timeframe that suits your cash flow needs and industry norms – 7, 14, or 30 days are typical for many freelancers and small businesses. Also, do the maths and clearly state the due date by which you expect payment. Along with the due date, include your accepted payment methods. For example, you might write “Please make payment via bank transfer to the account below” and then provide your bank BSB and account number. If you accept other methods – such as credit or debit card or even cheque – list those options as well. Providing multiple payment options can make it easier for the client to pay promptly. 8. Add any additional notes: Many invoices include a short note or memo at the bottom. This could be a polite ‘thank you’ message, which adds a friendly touch. You might also include any other relevant details here, such as “Please include the invoice number as a reference when making payment”, which is helpful for matching payments to invoices. Once you’ve added all the above, give your invoice a final proofread. Make sure names are spelled correctly, amounts are right, and nothing is missing. If everything looks good, your invoice is ready to send! How to simplify your invoicing with Zeller Invoices. Now you know what goes into an invoice and how to create one, and there’s nothing wrong with using a Word template or an Excel spreadsheet and manually filling in all the details as discussed above. However, there are much faster (and easier) ways to send an invoice. Zeller Invoices is an excellent choice for business owners looking to make invoicing more efficient and get paid faster. In fact, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid within just 24 hours. What is Zeller Invoices? Zeller Invoices enable you to create and send professional invoices in just a few clicks. Having a free Zeller Account gives you access to this powerful invoicing solution via your computer, or from your smartphone using Zeller App . This means you can generate an invoice from anywhere – super handy for when you’re doing business on the go. Key benefits of using Zeller Invoices. Fast, easy invoice creation With Zeller Invoices, you can create and send polished invoices in seconds thanks to handy features like pre-population of items. You can then track their status from one convenient dashboard, as well as duplicate existing invoices and schedule invoices to be sent on a future date, if needed. Professional design, effortless compliance Zeller Invoices has three professional templates for you to choose from, Minimal, Strong and Classic. You can easily add your branding, including your business logo and colours, so your invoices will automatically look clean, professional and tailored to your business. Invoice on the go One of the big advantages of Zeller Invoices is that you can use it on your smartphone just as easily as you can on your computer, with all the same functionality. Let’s say you’re a tradie, like a mobile mechanic or a plumber, and you’ve just finished a job for a client. You can simply pull out your phone, tap in the client’s details and send off the invoice before you even leave the site. Get paid faster As mentioned above, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid within just 24 hours, because Zeller Invoices make things extremely simple for both you and your clients. When you click ‘Send’ on a Zeller Invoice, your client instantly receives an email or SMS (or both) with a secure payment link. And the moment they pay, you receive an email and push notification. Automatic invoice tracking and reminders Ever forgotten to follow up on an invoice? Zeller Invoices makes it easy to see which invoices have been sent, and which have been paid. Even better, you can set up automatic payment reminders to politely remind clients who haven’t paid yet. All-in-one business tool Not only is Zeller Invoices free and easy to use, it also gives you instant access to other handy products like a Zeller Business Transaction Account , Zeller Savings Account and Zeller Debit Card . The Zeller product suite is a collection of free, powerful, industry-leading tools designed to make running your business more efficient. Try Zeller Invoices today. In short, Zeller Invoices takes the hard work out of invoicing. It ensures your invoices are professional, compliant with Australian requirements, and it helps to get you paid faster. Why not create an account and send yourself a test invoice now?

If you’re still sending handwritten, Word or Excel invoices, you’re living in the past. These days, more and more Aussie businesses are switching their invoicing to Zeller – and it’s easy to see why. Zeller Invoices makes invoicing easier, reduces time spent on business admin, and helps you get paid faster. In fact, over 75% of invoices sent with Zeller are paid in less than 24 hours. Plus, now that Zeller Invoices is available in Zeller App , you can take care of all your invoicing from wherever you are. Even better, it’s completely free to create, send, track, and manage your invoices. What to look for in a mobile invoicing app. When you’re issuing invoices on the go, there are features you need to look for in your mobile invoicing app to ensure it will save you time, and make the invoicing process easier. Here are 8 questions to consider.  1. Is it faster to send invoices? When you’re sending mobile invoices from Zeller App, you can create and send an invoice in under 30 seconds. From suggesting existing Items and contacts as you type, to enabling scheduled sends, Zeller Invoices has been meticulously designed to make it easier for you to create, design, and send an invoice from the convenience of your smartphone.  2. Can you still customise and personalise invoices?  Convenience shouldn’t have to come at the cost of professionalism or style. With three sleek, customisable templates to choose from, Zeller Invoices look sharp in seconds. Plus you can add your business logo and brand colours, as well as a personalised message, in just a few taps. 3. Does it save you admin time at the end of the day? Traditional online invoicing software keeps you tied to your desktop. But many businesses – such as tradies, freelancers, or mobile vendors – don’t operate from behind a desk during the day. Sending invoices from Zeller App gives you the flexibility to send invoices straight from the job site, saving you time at the end of the workday that you’d typically be spending on business admin. 4. Can you track your invoices in real-time? Whether you’re using a computer or Zeller App, Zeller Invoices enables you to keep tabs on every invoice with a real-time view of what’s been sent, paid, followed up or left overdue – all colour-coded and easy to read at a glance. No more digging through emails or chasing updates. You'll even get a push notification and email to let you know as soon as an invoice is paid. 5. Is it easy and secure for your clients? Every Zeller Invoice includes a 3D Secure payment link, so your customers can safely pay in a few clicks using their preferred card. 6. Does it help you receive your money faster? Zeller Invoice payments are settled nightly to your Zeller Account, or next business day to your own, third-party bank account. While many mobile invoicing apps may have you wait 2-3 days to receive your funds, we’ll make sure you’re always getting your settlements fast. 7. Does it offer automated payment reminders? Zeller Invoices on Zeller App has all these same features as the desktop version, including automatic payment reminders. Say goodbye to the hassle and awkwardness of chasing up slow payers – let Zeller Invoices do it for you. 8. Are there costly subscription fees? Unlike most other online invoicing platforms, it’s free to send unlimited invoices with Zeller. You’re only charged a low transaction fee in the event your client chooses to pay their invoice online via credit or debit card. Compare mobile invoicing apps available in Australia. When you’re selecting a mobile invoicing app, there are many options to choose from. Compare those available in Australia today, and discover why more businesses are switching their invoicing to Zeller. Ready to level up your invoicing? It’s easy to start doing all your invoicing with Zeller.   1. Download the Zeller App Get the free Zeller App from the App Store or Google Play . Sign in with your Zeller Account, or create one online in minutes. 2. Set up your invoice template Head to Invoices in the main menu of Zeller App, then tap Settings. From there you can upload your business logo, add details for your receipts, customise colours, and more. 3. Create and send your first invoice Once you’re ready, click the ‘+ Invoice’ button and follow the steps to create and send your first invoice. You'll receive an email and push notification as soon as the invoice is paid. If you're ready to take the hassle out of invoicing and start getting paid faster, it's time to try the best free mobile invoicing app in Australia. 

What began as a creative outlet during Melbourne’s 2020 COVID lockdowns has now evolved into a thriving – and award-winning – distillery for Gavin and Amy Shaw. From their picturesque five-acre property in Plenty, Victoria, the father-daughter duo have grown Hillmartin Gin to now be stocked in over 120 bars, restaurants and pubs around Melbourne. A seven spiced chai gin? A single vineyard pinot noir gin? Why not! Gavin and Amy are on a mission to make everyone a gin lover. A serendipitous start. When Gavin Shaw was chatting with one of his friends on the phone during COVID, he didn’t realise he was about to take the first step towards a dramatic career change. Despite a background in science and a passion for good food and good drinks, the idea of creating a gin brand wasn’t really on Gavin’s radar to begin with. “The business started off really as a hobby,” he recalls. “Prior to Hillmartin Gin, I had another business, and it meant I traveled a lot. When COVID hit and we couldn’t travel, I was spending a lot more time at home and looking for a way to keep busy.” Gavin’s passion for crafting unique gins started to take shape during a conversation with a friend. “I was lamenting the fact that if I were to plant grapes with the intention of making wine, I’d be dead before I made anything decent,” he laughs. “And my mate said, ‘Why don’t you buy a gin still? You can run it in the morning and drink the gin in the afternoon if you want.’ What a great idea, I thought. Because who doesn’t love a good gin?” Once he’d acquired his shiny new still, Gavin started out experimenting with different botanicals in the family shed, but admits his first few batches weren’t to everyone’s taste. “I was thinking I was making fabulous gin and Amy told me I was going to kill somebody. Thankfully, it’s come a long way since then.” A family affair. With a background in finance and digital customer acquisition, Amy was busy working in the corporate world until a less-than-polished Instagram post made her realise her father needed her marketing assistance. “Before Amy joined, I did a post on Instagram one day, and I reckon about three seconds later the phone rang,” Gavin chuckles. “Amy said, ‘Dad, I have a plan. Step away from the computer. I’ll handle the Instagram from now on.’ So I’ve left it to her since then. She pretty much runs the business these days. I just make gin and do what I’m told.” Crafting excellence. Hillmartin Gin has made its mark on Australia’s spirits scene with a lineup of gins that range from timeless classics to contemporary twists and unique innovations. For example, The Seven Spice Chai Gin combines traditional botanicals with warming spices to create a one-of-a-kind blend that’s smooth and aromatic. “Instead of milk like you’d have in a chai latte, we finish it off with a wildflower honey. It really does taste like chai,” explains Gavin. Gavin and Amy’s dedication to quality and innovation has now earned them national and international recognition. “Last year, our Seven Spice Chai Gin was judged Australia’s Best Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards in London,” Gavin says. “We also picked up gold for our London Dry Gin at the same event the previous year. That was a bit of a shock to us – it’s a big award to win.” Work hard, play hard. Building a brand in the craft spirits industry is no small feat, and Gavin and Amy have embraced the challenges head on. “You work really hard,” Gavin says. “Starting out, it’s almost hard not to work seven days a week in this industry because a lot of the promotional stuff is on weekends. So throughout the week, we’re making gin and running the business, and on weekends, we’re often at food and wine shows, gin shows, markets, promotional events, you name it. Good thing it’s a really fun industry. We’re fortunate to call our passion our profession.” To help manage the workload, Gavin and Amy have recently expanded the team. “We’ve hired a full-time sales rep and someone to do the markets for us,” Gavin shares. “You can’t work seven days forever. It’s important to get a break.” Smiling and saving with Zeller. From humble experiments in the backyard shed to now winning international awards and being stocked all over Victoria, Hillmartin Gin’s growth has been exceptional. Alongside this expansion came the need for efficient systems to keep the payments side of things running smoothly. “We were using a competitor for payment processing, but Amy came back from an event one day and said, ‘Hey Dad, one of the other vendors said he’s paying much lower fees than we are. We should look into it.’ That’s when we switched to Zeller,” Gavin explains. “The fees are significantly lower, and the terminals are very easy to use, so it’s a win-win.”

It's been a big start to 2025, and we’ve been hard at work building and releasing your most requested features. This month has seen a major new feature release – Zeller Bill at Table – as well as several other exciting enhancements and updates to help you get paid more smoothly when using Zeller POS Lite . Read on to learn more about what’s new at Zeller this April. Accept cash payments with Zeller POS Lite. While card transactions are by far the preferred payment method for most Australians, we’ve now enabled you to also record physical cash sales when you’re using Zeller POS Lite from Zeller Terminal or App. To record cash as the tendered option in a transaction, simply select the items to be sold as usual, and then select “cash” as the tender for payment. Key in how much has been paid in physical cash, and provide customers with an itemised receipt. If your customers choose to tip with physical cash (e.g. “You keep the change”), this can now be recorded too. The option to record cash sales in Zeller POS Lite is controllable by site, and turned off by default. Simply activate this option in ‘Settings’ on both Zeller Terminal 2 and Zeller App . Also, watch this space – more features related to how you manage and report cash payments are coming soon! Process 100% discounts on items sold with Zeller POS Lite. Applying a discount to an item sold using Zeller POS Lite is now even easier, as we’ve added the ability to offer a 100% discount (or a $0 sale) in the event you’re supplying a giveaway, offering a free gift with purchase, or issuing warranty receipts. By being able to record items discounted by 100% with Zeller POS Lite on your terminal or Zeller App, you’ll benefit from clearer inventory reconciliation and a much more accurate view of your total items sold in any time period. Present the bill and accept payment tableside seamlessly with Zeller Bill at Table. Restaurants can now present diners with itemised bills displayed directly on Zeller Terminal 's large digital screen, and then instantly accept payment tableside. Zeller Bill at Table allows customers to settle their bill quickly, split payments effortlessly and tip with ease, making for happier diners and faster table turnover. In fact, Zeller Bill at Table is proven to help restaurants turn tables up to 73% faster from bill request to out-the-door. As Ben Hickey from The Roosevelt in Sydney  said, “More covers means more revenue". Learn more about Zeller Bill at Table here . Enhanced site management from Zeller App. Merchants with multiple business locations can now manage their sites directly from within Zeller App, including site-specific features such as surcharging, GST, tipping, receipt and terminal customisation. This makes it easier for you to make instant changes to site settings – for example, enabling tipping for a pop-up restaurant, or switching off tipping prompts when the lunch rush hits – when you’re on the go, rather than having to log into your Zeller Dashboard from a desktop computer. Smarter item management with Zeller Invoices. Time-saving functionality that was originally developed for Zeller POS Lite (and proved very popular) has now also been added to item management on Zeller Invoices. This includes improved handling of attributes and discounts, plus new support for item modifiers, too. The navigation of Zeller Invoices has also had a refresh, with a sleek new side menu that allows you to browse or create items, complete with unit price, quantity, and description. You can also now toggle GST on or off, apply discounts, and reorder items on your invoice via drag and drop, making it easier than ever to create and send customised invoices that help you get paid faster. Try out these new features today. To test these new additions, simply log in to your Zeller Dashboard , or try them out with Zeller POS Lite from Zeller Terminal or App. If you have ideas for other features, send them through to us at feedback@myzeller.com . We love to hear what our merchants would like to see from us, and are proud to say that the majority of this month’s releases have been developed and launched based upon feedback we’ve heard from you.

First opened in 2022, Awaken Pilates and Yoga is a boutique fitness business that has already grown to three locations across Perth’s northern corridor – Yanchep, Ashby, and Mindarie. Founded by husband and wife duo Matthew and Gemma Taylor, the studios offer a mix of reformer Pilates, mat Pilates, yoga, meditation, and infrared sauna. We sat down with Matthew to learn the story behind the business and how Zeller has been able to play a small but positive role in its impressive growth. Building a boutique fitness community. “My wife and I have been involved in the fitness industry for almost 20 years now,” Matthew explains. “About three years ago, we started Awaken, a chain of boutique Pilates studios. We do everything from reformer Pilates to yoga and meditation, so we’re a fitness and wellbeing business.” Beyond instructor-led classes, Awaken offers 24/7 access so members can train independently. “We’re one of only a few in the country who do it,” Matthew says. “People get a 24/7 tag just like a gym. We’ve got screens set up where they can do on-demand classes, and the sauna is 24/7 as well.” At its core, Awaken aims to help members build a stronger connection with themselves, physically and mentally. “What we’re trying to achieve with the members is getting them to fall in love with fitness and focus on themselves,” Matthew says. “We’ve seen over the years how powerful it can be to have a positive relationship with yourself from a wellbeing perspective.” Making retail sales effortless with Zeller POS Lite. While most of Awaken’s revenue comes from membership fees billed weekly through their CRM system, retail sales (like grippy socks, apparel and protein powder) also provide an important secondary revenue stream to the business. Managing these sales efficiently, however, was a little tricky – until Awaken introduced Zeller POS Lite across all three studios. “A lot of our instructors are contractors who work across different studios.” Matthew explains. “So we needed a system that was super intuitive with no real training involved. Zeller POS Lite couldn’t be simpler. When someone wants to buy socks or some protein, the instructor just clicks on an image and it comes up straight away on the machine. They don’t have to work the computer or any sort of complicated point-of-sale system.” Stretching sales while reducing admin. The simplified sales process has made instructors more confident in processing transactions, leading to an increase in retail purchases. “Having that visual point-of-sale system on the EFTPOS machine itself just makes it a lot easier,” Matthew says. “Because it’s so easy to use, we find that the instructors are much more confident in selling the product for us instead of avoiding it because they don’t know how to use the machine or they don’t know the pricing of the product.” When the end of the month draws near, Zeller POS Lite’s in-built reporting function proves very useful. “We utilise the reporting function to gain a deeper insight into how our retail products are performing, what products are resonating with our members and where to better invest in our product offering for the future at each studio. This allows us to maximise the efficiency of our product management and also helps drive our marketing with relation to our retail products,” explains Matthew. Switching from Commbank to Zeller. Before switching to Zeller, Awaken used Commonwealth Bank terminals, but the fees and complex pricing structure quickly became a frustration. “I would never set up another business with a traditional bank again, because you’re paying a monthly fee and then all of your costs on top of that when you go above a certain amount. It actually is just a lot easier to have something like Zeller, which takes a little percentage on each transaction and has a nice, easy portal to navigate.” Beyond transaction fees, Matthew also found the process of upgrading or canceling bank terminals unnecessarily difficult and expensive. “They make it so hard for you,” he says. “You’ve got to pay for someone to collect it and all this sort of stuff. There’s fees and charges all the way through the journey.” A flexible, scalable solution. With transparent pricing, ease of use and a seamless experience for both instructors and members, Zeller POS Lite has helped Awaken eliminate banking frustrations while streamlining their operations. “We’ve got it sectioned into three categories – merchandise, casual sales, and supplements,” Matthew says. “It’s so simple for the instructors to navigate that, it works perfectly.” By choosing Zeller POS Lite, Awaken Pilates and Yoga has found a flexible solution that strikes the perfect balance between simplifying sales, empowering staff, and supporting business growth.

Running a restaurant isn’t always a piece of cake. As an owner or manager, you’re juggling more tasks than a busy chef at Sunday brunch – from slicing up food costs to dousing the flames of customer complaints. In the fast-paced Australian hospitality scene, knife-thin margins and unpredictable rushes are all in a day’s work. How can you keep your cool in the kitchen? The secret sauce is tracking the right restaurant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). By keeping an eye on these metrics, you’ll know exactly what’s cooking in your business so you can whip up improvements before things boil over. In this guide, we’ll serve up 28 essential restaurant KPIs you need to monitor. We’ve grouped them into four main categories – financial performance, operational efficiency, staffing and productivity, and customer experience – so you can digest them in courses. Let’s dig in! The bread and butter of restaurant KPIs – financial performance. Let’s start with the financial KPIs, the metrics that determine if your restaurant is bringing home the bacon or just small potatoes. Keeping tabs on these money matters ensures your business has enough dough to thrive (and not just survive). Here are the key financial indicators and why they matter for your restaurant’s success: 1. Gross profit margin Gross profit margin measures the percentage of your sales revenue that remains after paying for the direct costs of producing your menu items – primarily ingredients, a.k.a. your Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). In plain terms, it shows how much of each dollar from a customer’s bill you actually get to keep to cover overhead and profit. This KPI is the meat and potatoes of profitability – a healthy gross profit margin means you’re not working for peanuts. If your gross margin is slim, you might need to adjust menu prices or portion sizes, or find cheaper suppliers. 2. Net profit margin Net profit margin shows how much of each dollar in sales is pure profit after all expenses are accounted for. This metric goes beyond the kitchen costs – it factors in everything from staff wages and rent, to utility bills and marketing. In other words, net profit margin is your true bottom line, the final slice of the pie that you get to take home. By keeping an eye on net profit margin, you can make decisions like cutting unnecessary expenses or finding efficiencies so your business stays financially sustainable. 3. Food cost percentage Food cost percentage represents what portion of your food sales revenue is spent on ingredients for those dishes. It’s a critical metric in the restaurant world – if this percentage is too high, it means your kitchen is eating too much of your profits. You calculate it by comparing the cost of all the food ingredients used to the revenue from food sales. Keeping food cost percentage in check ensures your pricing is on point and that portion control and sourcing are managed well. For example, if your food cost percentage is creeping above, say, 30%, you might need to negotiate better prices with suppliers or tweak menu items. 4. Beverage cost percentage Beverage cost percentage is the drink-side counterpart to food cost percentage. It tells you how much of your beverage sales are spent on beer, wine, spirits, coffee beans, and any other drinks you serve. This KPI is especially important if your restaurant has a bar or cafe component, since margins on beverages typically are healthier than those on food. By monitoring beverage cost percentage, you can see if that fancy cocktail or flat white is delivering a solid margin or if you’re over-pouring and over-spending. 5. Menu item profitability Not all menu items are created equal – some dishes are big earners and others are just along for the ride. Menu item profitability measures how much profit each dish or drink brings in, helping you identify the stars (high profit, popular items) and the black holes (low profit or slow sellers). To find a menu item’s profit, you simply subtract its ingredient cost from its selling price. Tracking this for each item matters because it lets you engineer your menu for maximum profit. 6. Inventory turnover ratio Inventory turnover ratio tells you how quickly you’re going through your stock of food and beverages in a given period. It’s like the heartbeat of your pantry – a high turnover means ingredients are flying off the shelves (fresh and fast), while a low turnover means items linger longer (risking spoilage or tying up cash). To calculate your inventory turnover ratio, divide the cost of goods sold by the average inventory value. This KPI matters because freshness is king in the kitchen – you want ingredients to move before they expire, but you also don’t want to run out mid-service. By monitoring inventory turnover, you can adjust your ordering. If turnover is too low, you might be over-ordering. If it’s too high, you may need to stock up more to avoid disappointing diners with popular dishes being sold out. 7. Waste and spoilage costs Waste and spoilage costs track how much money you throw in the bin due to expired ingredients and mistakes, or plate waste. Every scrap that goes uneaten – whether it’s veggies gone bad in the fridge or a steak that got burnt and tossed – had a cost. This KPI shines a light on those hidden expenses. While no restaurant can avoid waste entirely, keeping waste costs low is key to not chopping up your profits. Track the dollar value of food you discard and compare it to your total food cost or sales. A rising waste cost is a red flag that you might need better portion control, improved training (to reduce mistakes), or smarter purchasing. Reducing waste and spoilage directly improves your bottom line and is good for the planet too. 8. Discount and promotion effectiveness Offering discounts, coupons, or special promotions can spice up sales, but how do you know if these promos are worth their salt? This KPI measures how effective your discounts and promotions are at driving business. There are a few ways to gauge effectiveness – you might look at the redemption rate of a promotion (what percentage of customers used that 10% off coupon), or the sales uplift during a promo period compared to normal. A common measure is the return on investment (ROI) of a promotion, essentially comparing the additional revenue a promotion brings in against its cost (like the discounts given or advertising spend). Tracking this helps you see which deals bring in new or repeat customers and which ones just eat into your margins. By measuring promotion effectiveness, you can focus on the deals that truly pay off, and leave the lacklustre promotions on the backburner. 9. Takeaway vs dine-in ratio These days, many customers choose to enjoy their food from the comfort of their couch instead of dining in the restaurant. Your takeaway vs dine-in ratio compares revenue from off-premises orders (takeaway and delivery) to on-premises dining. It’s basically showing you where your bread is buttered, and this ratio matters because it can influence your staffing, packaging costs, and even menu (maybe your burgers sell like hotcakes for takeaway, while dine-in patrons go for steaks, for example). By keeping an eye on this KPI, you can adjust operations and marketing. 10. Peak vs off-peak hour revenue Almost all restaurants have rush hours and quiet times. Peak vs off-peak hour revenue compares the sales you rake in during your busiest periods with those in your slowest periods. This KPI matters for scheduling, promotions, and even menu offerings. A big gap between peak and off-peak might mean you’re consistently overstaffed or underutilised during slow times. By analysing this, you might decide to run specials to bring in a crowd during off-peak hours or adjust your staffing to save on labour when it’s quiet. Ultimately, understanding the sizzle and simmer of revenue throughout the day ensures you make the most of the rush and don’t burn cash during the calm. Service please! Operational efficiency restaurant metrics. In the hustle of hospitality, smooth operations are what keep your business cooking with gas. Operational efficiency KPIs help you understand how well your restaurant runs behind the scenes – from portion sizes and table turns to order accuracy and guest wait times. These metrics aren’t just about speed, they’re about consistency, quality, and making sure every shift runs like a well-oiled machine. Tracking them helps you find and fix bottlenecks, improve workflows, and serve up a seamless experience that keeps guests and staff smiling. 11. Portion consistency rate It’s no secret people don’t like stingy serves, but food wastage is something to be avoided wherever possible. Portion consistency rate measures how often your team sticks to the standard portion sizes for each dish. Keeping this consistent helps control food costs and ensures that every diner gets what they’re paying for – no more, no less. 12. Table turnover rate Table turnover rate shows you how many times each table is used during a service period. A higher table turnover rate means you’re seating more guests without needing more real estate – which is key to squeezing more juice from the same lemon, so to speak. The goal is to increase revenue per table without compromising the guest experience. 13. Average cover per table Knowing how many covers (AKA diners) you're serving per table helps you understand how efficiently you're using your dining space. It gives insight into table turnover and seating optimisation, which can help you identify opportunities –  like consistently underfilled tables at certain times –  to increase revenue by adjusting table configurations. 14. Order accuracy rate This one tracks how many orders are delivered exactly as requested – no missing sides or mixed-up mains. A high accuracy rate makes for happy diners and less wastage. It also reduces the likelihood of customer complaints and comped meals, improving both satisfaction and profitability. 15. Order preparation time How long does it take from an order being placed to when it’s ready to be served? This KPI gives you a read on kitchen speed and efficiency. A consistently optimal prep time means your team is operating smoothly, which helps improve service flow and guest satisfaction. Many point-of-sale systems can help you track your order preparation time, by electronically measuring the time stamp from order input, to when it’s delivered from the kitchen to the diner. The Zeller Sales team can help recommend the best restaurant POS options, if you’re in the mood for an upgrade. 16. Guest wait time This tracks how long guests are waiting to be seated or served. Long waits might mean it’s time to review your seating strategy or staffing levels, because no one likes to be kept waiting awkwardly at the door or for a menu. Reducing wait time can also increase table turns and enhance the overall customer experience. 17. Reservation no-show rate When guests book and don’t show, it can mean an empty table and revenue lost. This KPI tells you how often that’s happening – and whether you might need to introduce confirmation processes or deposits. Reducing no-shows ensures better table utilisation and smoother service planning. 18. Average spend per guest (ASPG) Also called average check or cover, this shows how much each guest is spending on average. Increasing ASPG – through upselling, menu design, or specials – is a surefire way to boost revenue without increasing foot traffic. 19. Pay at table usage rate This tracks the percentage of guests who use digital pay-at-table options, like Zeller Bill at Table . A higher rate usually means faster table turns, smoother service, and a better experience for guests (especially those in a hurry). Merchants using Zeller Bill at Table can turn tables much faster from bill request to diners out the door –  up to 73% faster, in fact. On top of this, they report improved diner satisfaction and increased tipping. It’s a win all round. Teamwork makes the dream work – staffing and productivity restaurant KPIs. It almost goes without saying that managing your team well can make or break your bottom line. Staffing and productivity KPIs shed light on how effectively your team is performing, how much they cost, and how well they’re selling. These metrics help you optimise schedules, reduce staff turnover, and boost morale, all while ensuring every hour worked contributes to your restaurant’s success. By monitoring these numbers, you can build a stronger, more efficient team that delivers great service and supports sustainable growth. 20. Upsell success rate This restaurant metric tracks how often staff successfully persuade customers to add extras – drinks, desserts, sides – to their orders. It’s a direct way to drive revenue and gives you insight into how confidently your team is selling. A high upsell rate can also indicate strong staff engagement and menu knowledge. 21. Staff turnover rate Staff turnover rate tells you how frequently team members are leaving and needing to be replaced. A high rate could mean poor working conditions, lack of engagement, or more appealing (or higher-paying) jobs elsewhere – all of which are opportunities for you to improve. High turnover can be expensive too, as it can drive up training costs and impact service consistency, so it’s definitely something to watch. 22. Staff labour cost This KPI helps you understand how much you’re spending on wages, superannuation, overtime, and benefits. Keeping labour costs in proportion to revenue is crucial for profitability in such a people-powered industry. Key customer experience KPIs for a restaurant. At the end of the day, it’s your guests who decide whether your restaurant is a hit or a miss. Customer experience KPIs measure how satisfied your diners are, how loyal they stay, and how likely they are to spread the word. These metrics give you a pulse on what your customers really think and where there’s room to improve. A great dining experience doesn’t happen by accident – it’s the result of intentional decisions that keep guests coming back for more. 23. Customer retention rate Your regulars are your restaurant’s lifeblood. This restaurant metric shows what percentage of your customers keep returning – a strong indicator of satisfaction and loyalty. Tracking retention can help you spot trends, assess the impact of loyalty programs, and identify at-risk segments. 24. Customer satisfaction score (CSAT) Usually gathered through surveys, your CSAT score reflects how satisfied customers are with their overall experience. A consistently high score means your service, food, and atmosphere are all hitting the spot. 25. Net promoter score (NPS) Your net promoter score tells you how likely customers are to recommend your restaurant. It’s a powerful metric for gauging reputation – the higher your score, the more fans you’ve won over. A solid net promoter score signals strong word-of-mouth marketing and customer trust. 26. Online review rating Your average star rating on platforms like Google, TripAdvisor and Facebook gives prospective guests a first impression before they even walk through the door. This KPI can be a great pulse check on the public perception of your restaurant. 27. Complaint resolution time Mistakes happen – what really matters is how quickly you fix them. This restaurant KPI measures how fast your team responds to and resolves customer issues, which can make the difference between a loyal customer and a lost one. 28. Loyalty program participation This KPI tracks how many customers actively use your loyalty program. High participation signals strong engagement and gives you more chances to further influence behaviour – through personalised offers, reward prompts, and regular interactions that keep your brand top of mind. It’s also a sign that your program is delivering value to members, making it worthy of future investment and promotion.

When Luke Stringer told people he was opening a new restaurant in an area surrounded by construction sites in the early days of COVID-19, people thought he was crazy. But fast forward four years and his modern Australian bistro brainchild is now a Sunshine Coast favourite, recognised by Delicious magazine as one of Queensland’s top steakhouses. We sat down with Luke to learn about the journey he’s been on with Market Bistro, and how Zeller has helped play a small but important role in that journey. Two hospitality veterans combine forces. When COVID forced Luke to return back to Australia from Indonesia, where he’d been running Mason, Fishbone Local and The Back Room for The Brett Hospitality Group, a chance conversation with famed Sunshine Coast restauranteur Tony Kelly paved the way for a future collaboration between the two industry stalwarts. "After long stints in high-profile venues in Melbourne and Brisbane, I moved to Indonesia to run some great fine dining restaurants over there” explains Luke. “But when COVID hit, I came back to Australia, and, being friends with Tony [Kelly] on Facebook, he saw that I was on the Sunshine Coast. He asked me to come on board to manage one of his other restaurants, Spero Greek.” “Within a short period of time we realised we were compatible and we wanted to do more together and he mentioned he wanted to open a bistro. As luck would have it, I actually had a bistro concept that I'd worked on a couple of years ago. So I showed him the idea I’d been working on and he said ‘Exactly that’. So we got to work to make it a reality.” Elevating dining in Maroochydore. Opting for local produce wherever possible, Market Bistro’s menu can best be described as a modern Australian take on a quintessential European-style bistro, specialising in woodfired steaks, fresh seafood, and house-made pasta. The vibe is casual yet stylish, elegant yet unpretentious. Staying true to classic bistro style, the restaurant doesn’t close between lunch and dinner, so guests can drop in anytime for a steak, caviar, crayfish, or a hearty bowl of pasta. The restaurant seats between 120 and 140 patrons and boasts a loyal clientele who return time and again. "The community has really embraced us and we’ve seen many of our regulars grow with us. First the wife is pregnant, then they’re in with a baby, then the baby is running around the restaurant. “I honestly hope in my heart that Market Bistro is the sort of venue that's still there in 20 or 30 years' time, because it feels like it could be. I want to see it become that reliable inner-city style institution where people go there, then their kids go there and so on. It’s very rewarding to grow with the community.” Ditching the ‘big 4’, switching to Zeller. After starting out with a traditional ‘big 4’ bank for EFTPOS payments, Market Bistro switched to Zeller competitor Tyro, but their widely-publicised outage in 2021 caused the business to reconsider its options. "Initially, we were with National Australia Bank. Back in the day, everyone went with a bank because that’s just what you did,” Luke explains. “But then new options popped up, like Tyro. This opened the door for people to stop going with banks by default. But when Tyro went down for three-weeks, we lost confidence in them and temporarily went back to using NAB.” “As a restaurant where 90% of transactions are through EFTPOS terminals , you need to know that if something goes offline, it’ll come back quickly. That’s where Zeller has really excelled for us. Their uptime and the ease of tipping within the Zeller system has been fantastic." Zeller – Australia's most reliable EFTPOS. With built in WiFi and SIM connectivity, Zeller Terminal boasts industry-leading uptime, plus: Fast nightly settlement to Zeller Transaction Account Built-in option for zero-cost EFTPOS Seamless tipping and digital receipts Integrate with Xero and 600+ point-of-sale platforms Low rates, no lock-in contract or monthly rental fees Learn more Reaching a tipping point. The move to tableside payments has been excellent for both restaurants and customers as it speeds up the process considerably, but a poorly-integrated tipping process meant diners were tipping a lot less. Thankfully, Zeller’s tipping function solved this problem seamlessly. "Tipping became difficult when people stopped signing at the table and started just pressing a keypad – it got lost. It’s just awkward to stand there after someone’s spent $500 and ask for a tip. A lot of tips were missed because of that – not because people didn’t want to tip but because they forgot or they felt like pressing the bank keypad was going to extend the awkwardness.” “I saw another restaurant using Zeller’s tipping function and thought, ‘Why aren’t we doing that?’ The NAB terminal we were using didn’t have that functionality. You had to awkwardly ask, ‘Would you like to leave a tip?’ which no waiter wants to do, especially not the business owner.” “Since switching to Zeller and using the tipping function, we’ve noticed a massive uplift in tips, at least 20-25%. It’s been amazing for my team, many of whom are career waiters. I’m in my 50s, and several of my key employees are too. We’ve been doing this for a living for years, and it’s nice to be rewarded for what we do." "Another phenomenal feature is the ease of splitting bills. We often get tables of 12 who want to split the bill at the end of the night, which can be a nightmare. Zeller makes it simple. You just key in the total amount, divide by the number of people, and take payments. It’s seamless." Luke also highlights the intuitive nature of the Zeller Dashboard, which makes it simple to track transactions and manage payments. "I’m not super tech-savvy, but it’s simple to log in and find what I need. That level of simplicity is invaluable."

In an industry where every dollar counts, optimising your restaurant profit margins can mean the difference between feast and famine. Like baking a delicate soufflé, if the conditions aren’t maintained perfectly, you run the risk of ending up with a flop. The key is to find ways to chop your costs and make your revenue more flavourful without compromising quality or the diner experience. Let’s explore some of the most effective strategies to keep your restaurant serving up success for years to come. 1. Upskill for the upsell. Your team plays a huge role in increasing profitability. Proper training helps waitstaff serve diners more efficiently, upsell effectively (without being pushy), and create an experience that encourages repeat visits. Make sure your team knows the menu inside out and can confidently recommend high-margin items to boost sales with minimal effort. But don’t stop there. Host regular tasting sessions so staff can speak authentically about the dishes. Share the story behind ingredients or the chef’s inspiration – people love a narrative, and it can nudge diners toward higher-margin options. Consider introducing friendly competitions between staff around upsells or rewards for top performers. A motivated, informed front-of-house team is one of your most powerful revenue tools. 2. Keep food costs from boiling over. Your cost of goods sold (COGS) is one of the biggest expenses in running a restaurant. Keeping a close eye on things like supplier prices and portion sizes can help you maintain healthy margins. Buying in bulk and focusing on seasonal ingredients can lead to significant cost savings while maintaining quality. Dig into your data and calculate plate costs for every dish. Are you pricing accordingly? Another important aspect is wastage. Waste logs are extra effort, but they're useful for tracking what gets tossed and why, enabling you to tweak your processes to reduce it in the future. Even a 2% reduction in food waste can significantly impact your bottom line. 3. What’s on the menu? Don't think of your menu as just a list of your dishes – see it as a tool designed for maximising your restaurant's profit margin. Menu engineering allows you to prioritise high-margin items, remove dishes that aren’t selling well, and set prices strategically. Place your best-performing items in spots where diners’ eyes naturally go (top-right corner first, then moving to the centre), and consider drink pairings to increase your average order value. Be liberal with provenance descriptors for example the region or farm. Diners love to know where their food has been sourced from, so add detail here to satisfy their curiosity and whet their appetite. Another thing to consider is removing currency symbols. A study conducted at the Culinary Institute of America's St. Andrews Café explored this phenomenon. The researchers found that when menus omitted currency symbols, customers tended to spend more compared to when menus included the dollar sign or the word "dollar." This suggests that a simple typographical change can have a measurable impact on consumer behaviour. 4. Negotiate with your suppliers. Every supplier you work with, from your butcher to your electricity provider, is an opportunity for negotiation. Regularly reviewing your contracts and shopping around for better deals can lead to big cost savings over the course of a year. Even your wine supplier, waste management service, and EFTPOS terminal provider may be open to custom pricing. At Zeller, if your business is processing over $250K per year in card payments, our sales team will work with you to explore a custom solution for your business. 5. Speed up table turnover (without rushing your diners). More diners means more revenue, but the trick is to improve efficiency without making patrons feel hurried. Things like optimising your seating layout (placing bigger tables closer to the kitchen, for example), training staff to repeat orders back to diners to cut down on mistakes, and (if appropriate) reducing wait times with digital ordering can all help to speed up the process. One easy way to improve table turnover is to enable diners to pay at the table. Zeller’s innovative Bill at Table allows customers to settle their bill quickly, split payments effortlessly and tip with ease, making for happier diners, faster table turnover, and, consequently, increased revenue for you. On top of this, Zeller Bill at Table allows you to provide your diners with digital receipts via SMS, email or QR-code, saving you money on receipt paper. And because Bill at Table is exclusive to Zeller Terminal , you’ll pay no monthly rental charges or complicated processing fees to use it – plus you can switch on surcharging to easily pass on the flat 1.4% transaction fee to your diners with zero-cost EFTPOS. 6. Put your money to work. There’s more to maximising profits than cutting costs and selling more stock – your money should also be working for you in the background. With a high-interest savings account like the Zeller Savings Account , you can earn interest on your takings while keeping funds easily accessible for operational expenses. Whether you’re setting aside money for expansion, new equipment, restaurant renovations, emergency repairs or seasonal fluctuations, having a dedicated savings strategy is a smart move that improves restaurant profitability long-term. Another thing to consider is expense management. Zeller Corporate Cards make it easy to monitor spending on things like expansion, new equipment and renovations, helping you stay on budget. With detailed transaction insights and spending controls, you can ensure every dollar is accounted for to keep your operations running smoothly. 7. Consider offering delivery and takeaway. These days, more diners than ever are opting for delivery and takeaway instead of dining in, and if your restaurant doesn’t offer these options, you could be leaving money on the dining table. Expanding your reach through third-party platforms (like UberEats and Deliveroo) or your own in-house system can create an additional revenue stream. Just be sure to factor in delivery costs and adjust your menu pricing accordingly to ensure you maintain profitability. Also consider simplifying your menu for off-premise dining. Not all dishes travel well, so curating a smaller list of top-performers that hold up in transit could be a sensible move. 8. Trim fat from your roster. Optimising staffing is one of the most effective – and most often overlooked – ways to boost profit margins. Use historical sales data to build smarter rosters that match staffing levels to peak demand. Cross-train team members to cover multiple roles, which helps reduce the need for additional hires and improves operational flexibility. This way, you keep service levels high while trimming unnecessary labour costs. Consider using scheduling software that tracks labour-to-revenue ratios and allows for easy forecasting. Communicate clearly with your team about expectations and availability, and foster a culture where efficiency is rewarded, not just clocked hours. 9. Turn one-time diners into regulars. Loyal customers typically spend more and visit more often. Implementing a loyalty program – whether it’s points-based, tiered rewards, or surprise incentives – can drive repeat visits and increase average order values. Also remember many modern POS systems allow for seamless loyalty program integration, making it easy for both staff and diners to participate. Beyond loyalty programs, regular engagement helps. Use email newsletters to share specials, events or behind-the-scenes content. Spotlight staff and regulars on social media and offer birthday perks. Make guests feel like part of your restaurant family. 10. Make your online presence as tasty as your food. Before anyone walks through your doors, they’re likely checking you out online. Make sure your Google My Business profile is accurate, your menu is current, and your website is mobile-friendly. Encourage happy diners to leave positive reviews on Google, TripAdvisor and Facebook, and take the time to respond to feedback. A strong digital presence builds trust and increases foot traffic from first-time visitors. Invest in high-quality photography and video content. Focus on your most photogenic dishes and highlight your restaurant's personality. A great online impression sets the stage for an even better one in person. 11. Serve up some data. Use your POS analytics to understand your best-sellers, identify slow nights, and see where margins are highest. Track which promotions drive traffic and which ones tend to fall flat. Data-driven decisions take the guesswork out of growth. Keep an eye on metrics like table turnover time, average ticket size, and staff productivity. Even reviewing customer feedback over time can reveal patterns worth addressing. 12. Don't just set the table – set the mood. How your restaurant feels impacts how much guests spend – and how likely they are to return. Music, lighting, scent, seating comfort, decor and even acoustics all influence diner psychology. Create an ambience that matches your brand and encourages lingering, indulging and returning. Low-cost updates like mood lighting or seasonal decor can make a big difference. Ambiance doesn’t need to break the bank, but it shouldn’t be an afterthought. The ultimate recipe for tastier profit margins. Maximising your restaurant’s margins requires a strategic approach that balances cost control with revenue growth. By training your staff to upsell, optimising your menu and negotiating with suppliers, you can boost profitability without sacrificing quality. On top of this, finding ways to improve your table turnover and make your money work harder for you – plus potentially adding new revenue streams in the form of delivery or takeaway – can help futureproof your business. Add in a pinch of data, a splash of ambiance, and a generous helping of loyal regulars, and you’ve got a recipe for long-term success.