Groupon has announced the widespread roll out of “Breadcrumb”, a new point-of-sale platform that allows restaurants, bars and cafés across the U.S. to run their business via Apple’s iPad, which is bundled into the system.

Breadcrumb gives merchants the ability to merge or split checks, add or adjust menu items, specify guest notes and modifiers, set employee access levels, move tables with a swipe of their finger, manage time clocks and view real-time sales and labor reports.

Groupon is quick to note that Breadcrumb does not require integration with computer servers, adding that all software updates are free and automatic.

Groupon offers Breadcrumb at prices starting at $99 per month, with no upfront fees or long-term contracts. Services include free installation assistance and 24/7 technical support and businesses that sign up for the service receive Groupon’s Breadbox, which includes an iPad with stand, cash drawer, credit card swipe, printer, router, wireless access point and cables.

Groupon also offers the Breadcrumb App, available as a free download from the App Store.

Further, Breadcrumb is fully integrated with GrouponPayments, the new mobile transaction system introduced by Groupon last month. With GrouponPayments, any U.S. merchant that runs a Groupon deal can accept credit and debit payments by swiping the customer’s card through a small dongle (similar to Square) that plugs into their iOS device’s audio jack.

Retailers and restaurateurs can also leverage the app to scan and redeem Groupon offers, add tips, apply taxes, process refunds and email customer receipts.

Groupon’s move into the point-of-sale arena, shows how lucrative the service is seen to be and how simple it is to setup in many businesses using only an iPad as your primary piece of hardware.

Breadcrumb will compete directly with Square Register, an application paired with a credit card reading accessory that allows vendors to make transactions with customers easier.

 

[Bloomberg]

---