From Back Office enhancements to POS updates and more, here’s what’s been added or improved.
Some features take effect automatically, but others require an update. To access everything new, update the Lightspeed Restaurant app via the App Store outside of business hours on all POS devices.
Update
Spotlight of the month: Instant operational insights on the go
Chat directly with Lightspeed AI inside the Pulse app to access live performance metrics anywhere, anytime. Managers can query real-time sales, staff performance, and checklist data using full-screen chat on their mobile devices, eliminating the need to log in to a desktop browser and enabling faster, data-driven decisions right from the restaurant floor.
How to set it up
No setup required. This feature is available directly within the Pulse app via a single-tap on the chat icon.
POS and KDS updates
New
Lock prep station displays to avoid accidental bumps
Prevent accidental ticket clearing in fast-paced kitchens with a new view-only toggle for designated cooking stations. By locking touchscreen interactions on prep screens, line cooks retain full visibility over incoming order details while leaving ticket bumping and completion control exclusively to expediter and pass stations.
How to set it up
- Open Quick Settings on the relevant KDS cooking station.
- Enable the toggle Disable cooking station interactions.
- The station will now display tickets in view-only mode; bump, complete, and status actions are now locked.
Update
Gain total visibility across your floor at a glance
The modernized floor plan refresh gives staff immediate, at-a-glance visibility across the restaurant floor. With prominent table status colors, server ownership badges, and customizable table tiles, staff can quickly track live metrics like status, covers, seated times, total checks, and active courses.
Improved ergonomics, featuring a new panning gesture that allows swiping between floor plans, smooth pinch-to-zoom navigation, and an expanded floor layout view, speed up tableside service without disrupting existing operational workflows.
How to set it up
- Ensure POS handhelds and iPads are updated to iOS / iPadOS 26 or above. Check your compatibility here.
- Existing users must enable the new POS Navigation in the Beta Center. Access the Beta Center in the Back Office by navigating to Business > Beta or clicking here.
- This update is enabled by default for all new locations.
Update
Keep active orders visible while browsing menus
Navigate complex orders effortlessly with a new slide-out menu layer on handheld POS devices. The menu opens over the active order tab, allowing staff to pull up or collapse the view to check added items while browsing, reducing screen toggling and speeding up service during busy shifts.
How to set it up
No setup required. This update is enabled automatically on handheld POS devices running the Composable Layout if you are already using the new POS Navigation.
New
Prevent kitchen errors with item-specific instructions
Attach allergen warnings and custom notes directly to individual menu items on the POS register screen. Rather than applying notes to the overall order, staff can tag specific items so dietary instructions print clearly on physical kitchen tickets and display directly on KDS screens, improving food safety and reducing dish remakes.
How to set it up
- On the POS register screen, tap the three dots (...) on an individual line item.
- Tap Add Allergen, Add Note, or both.
- The tags appear on the screen and route automatically to kitchen printers and KDS screens.
Reservations updates
New
Optimize dining room capacity and seat larger groups effortlessly
Take total control over your booking limits with advanced capacity settings in Lightspeed Reservations. Define reservation caps as a percentage or choose specific bookable tables to preserve space for walk-ins during busy shifts.
Automatic table combinations let you seamlessly welcome larger parties, while flexible limits give you the power to apply capacity rules solely online or across all internal POS and Back Office bookings.
How to set it up
- Navigate to Reservations settings.
- Open Online reservations > Reservation availability.
- Choose Set available capacity by percentage or Select bookable tables.
- Select whether limits apply to online reservations only.
- Under Table combinations, click Add combination to define tables that can be booked together.
Order Anywhere updates
Update
Scale online ordering and track ROI across Google
Connect multi-location Google Groups to Order Anywhere and gain deeper visibility into online ordering performance. Multi-location businesses can now connect Google Business Profiles in bulk, set up ordering links directly from the main homepage dashboard, and measure customer discovery using an upgraded Insights dashboard with custom date ranges and Search vs. Maps performance graphs.
How to set it up
- Go to the Order Anywhere Homepage in the Back Office.
- Click the new Google Integrations tab to connect your Google Business Profile (including Google Groups accounts).
- View real-time order and traffic analytics under Google Business Insights.
Payments updates
New
Accept meal voucher payments in Belgium
Give your guests the payment options they expect. Lightspeed Payments now accepts Monizze and Pluxee meal vouchers in Belgium, giving you the flexibility to accept vouchers while keeping your sales and payments in one unified system.
How to set it up
- Activate Lightspeed Payments in the Back Office if you haven’t already.
- Register directly with Monizze and Pluxee. Activation takes about two weeks.
- Start accepting vouchers once you receive confirmation from each provider.