Practical answers
Plan the equipment. Understand the setup.
Clear answers for restaurant owners choosing tablets, printers, payment hardware and a practical starting configuration.
Do I need proprietary HospiEdge hardware?
No. HospiEdge works with supported standard computers, tablets, printers, cash drawers, and payment readers.
Can I use my existing router?
Yes, provided it offers reliable coverage and enough connectivity for the equipment used by the restaurant. Add a Gigabit network switch when more wired ports are needed.
How many tablets do I need?
A smaller restaurant can combine roles and begin with approximately three tablets. A typical full-service setup may use five. A dedicated-station setup uses seven core tablets, with more for individual kitchen stations or servers when needed.
Which stations can use tablets?
Register, host, kitchen, expo, bar, server, manager, pickup, and individual production stations can use an assigned tablet. Choose the screens that match each person’s permissions and work.
Do I need a separate tablet for every kitchen station?
No. Use one main kitchen display or assign separate KDS displays to grill, sauté, fry, pantry, pizza, or other production stations.
Can servers use phones?
Compatible browser-capable phones can be used for appropriate server and manager workflows. Fixed register, host, and kitchen stations normally benefit from mounted tablets.
Why is Stripe used when I buy HospiEdge?
Stripe processes the HospiEdge software subscription. That billing relationship is separate from the restaurant’s guest-payment merchant account.
Which payment hardware can I use?
Stripe Reader S700, S710, and BBPOS WisePOS E are countertop choices for the restaurant’s connected Stripe account, subject to country and merchant eligibility. Each exact reader still requires setup validation; a model name is not a physical acceptance claim. Square and mobile-reader availability are explained on the Payments page. A cash-only configuration needs no card-payment device.
How does the cash drawer connect?
The printer-driven cash drawer connects to the supported receipt printer’s drawer port using the correct drawer cable. It normally does not connect directly to the tablet or router.
Why are there two printers?
The Epson receipt printer produces full guest checks and receipts, supports configured reprints, and controls the cash drawer. The optional food-label printer produces prep, date, and product labels.
Do I need a Label printer?
Only when using physical labels. Choose a compatible Brother-style label printer, Zebra/ZPL printer, configured browser printing, or an approved QZ desktop route. Label can be added after initial setup.
What does the Hybrid computer do?
The Windows Hybrid computer supports local POS and HETable services, configured printer communication and cash-drawer control. Supported POS and HETable work continues on that computer during an internet interruption.
Do the other tablets work through the Hybrid computer during an internet outage?
No. Separate tablets use the cloud and require internet. Hybrid continuity is available on the installed Windows computer. Card processing and connected cloud services also require internet.
Does HospiEdge store card numbers?
No. Card information is handled by the selected payment provider and its supported reader or payment technology. HospiEdge does not store full card numbers, security codes, magnetic-stripe data, or PINs.
Can I add hardware later?
Yes. Add registers, KDS stations, payment devices, printers, and tablets as the operation grows. Plan power, Wi-Fi coverage and wired ports for each new station.
Do I need a Windows computer for cloud-only use?
No. Ordinary cloud operation uses compatible browser devices and reliable internet. Add a supported Windows Hybrid computer when your restaurant wants eligible local POS and HETable continuity.
Can my restaurant choose Square instead of Stripe?
HospiEdge supports a separate Square merchant connection as an alternative to Stripe. Stripe customer setup is available today. Square customer activation is not currently offered; confirm its availability with HospiEdge before buying Square equipment. Your business owns its merchant account and receives its own payouts.
Does HospiEdge use the same Stripe account for subscriptions and guest payments?
No. Stripe bills your HospiEdge software subscription separately. For guest payments, your restaurant connects and controls its own supported merchant account. Your restaurant receives its payouts through that provider; ordinary guest revenue is not paid to HospiEdge.
Does changing guest-payment providers change my HospiEdge subscription?
No. Your HospiEdge software plan is separate from your guest-payment provider. Provider processing fees, merchant eligibility and payment equipment are handled separately.
Which Square devices work?
The Square connection includes a Square Terminal setup path, but customer activation and physical validation remain outstanding. Square Terminal is not currently offered as a HospiEdge customer configuration. Square Reader for contactless and chip also requires a customer release of HospiEdge Station and physical validation.
Which lower-cost reader works?
Stripe Reader M2, BBPOS WisePad 3 and Square Reader for contactless and chip are not currently offered for customer use with HospiEdge. Their mobile workflows still need a customer release and physical validation. Compare the available Stripe countertop setup paths or use cash and approved manual tenders.
Is HospiEdge Station available?
HospiEdge Station is not a customer release or customer download. Mobile-reader setup must wait for its signed customer release and the appropriate provider and physical-device checks.
Does HospiEdge support Tap to Pay?
Tap to Pay is not currently offered. A phone or tablet with NFC does not by itself enable a supported HospiEdge payment path.
Can AI build my menu?
AI-assisted menu import is not currently offered in customer setup. Use the available app setup screens to enter your menu. Restaurant owners remain responsible for reviewing prices, taxes, fees, allergens and other important details.
Can I upload a PDF or spreadsheet?
PDF and spreadsheet import for AI-assisted restaurant setup is not currently offered to customers. Prepare your existing menu and restaurant information, then use the available app setup screens or ask for optional migration help.
Does AI automatically decide my taxes?
No. The owner must confirm applicable taxes, prices, fees, tipping, alcohol policies and other high-impact details. AI proposals are not tax-law determinations, and unknown information must be reviewed before use.
Do I have to schedule a call with the founder?
No. A founder call is not a requirement. Use the app guidance and setup checklists; optional human help can assist with menu migration, hardware planning, training and go-live questions.
Can I set up HospiEdge myself?
Yes. Start with your account and the available setup screens in your selected apps. Enter and review restaurant records, assign devices to staff roles, and practice the workflows before the owner approves launch. Optional onboarding help is available. The additional AI-assisted guided setup is not currently offered to customers.
What happens to my tablets when the internet goes down?
Separate tablets use cloud applications and need internet. Supported POS and HETable workflows continue locally on the installed Windows Hybrid computer. Card processing, hosted applications and communications may require internet. Cash or approved manual tenders can remain available on that computer according to restaurant policy.
Does every tablet connect to the Hybrid computer?
No. Separate tablets connect through Wi-Fi to cloud applications. They do not automatically switch to the Windows Hybrid computer during an outage. Local POS and HETable continuity is limited to that Windows computer.
Is the Star TSP100 supported?
Star TSP100 is not currently listed as a supported HospiEdge customer configuration. Do not treat a browser print route or a printer preview as proof of a successful physical installation. Confirm the exact model and installation with support.
Does the external hard drive back up the complete HospiEdge suite?
No. An external drive does not automatically back up HospiEdge. The customer Hybrid package contains POS and HETable only. Local business data needs a configured recovery plan, and hosted application records need separate protected recovery arrangements.
Is Master AI available?
Master AI is an optional $149/month add-on available only to eligible accounts with an active package or Full Platform plan in the same restaurant account. It is not a standalone signup. Sign in to review eligibility and available billing options, or contact support.