Square unveils portable Handheld for UK restaurants & cafes
Square has launched its Square Handheld point-of-sale device in the UK, alongside several new tools designed to support food and beverage businesses.
The Square Handheld device is entering the UK market at the start of the summer season, with a focus on helping restaurants and other hospitality environments streamline operations and enhance service. Weighing 0.31 kg and measuring 1.5 cm thick, it is designed to be lightweight and portable, allowing staff to serve customers whether at the counter or on the floor.
Tom Haydon, Founder of Tom's Pasta and among the first in the UK to use the new device, described it by saying: "Light. Slimline. Fits in your pocket. Still has all the features we're used to from Square and quite a lot more."
Square collaborated with Tech on Toast for recent research into restaurant technology, finding that when UK restaurant leaders implement new solutions, their main indicators of success are positive staff feedback (74%), reduced errors (68%), and improved efficiency (52%). These results highlight the value businesses place on synchronised front-of-house and kitchen operations, simplified payments, and the reduction of repetitive tasks. The Square Handheld was developed to address such requirements and to support staff in their day-to-day tasks with increased mobility and efficiency.
"Square has gone big in restaurants, and it shows, with our product innovation accelerating to include more restaurant-specific tools to help UK hospitality owners capture every order, all while freeing up staff to spend more time serving customers," said Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square. "Running a business has never been more demanding, but at Square we're here to partner and power UK businesses with the right digital tools. Square Handheld does exactly that. It's a gamechanger for restaurant owners, providing all the tools they need to run their business, right in their pocket."
The device's hardware is designed to withstand conditions commonly encountered in hospitality environments, including resistance to water splashes and dust. With a battery designed to last throughout the working day, the device also enables payments even when Wi-Fi is unavailable, reducing the risk of service interruptions. Features such as a built-in camera enable businesses to take product photographs, and an integrated barcode scanner helps to manage retail items, including merchandise, wine bottles, or gift cards. These functions can make the service more efficient by minimising the need for repeated journeys between the service floor and the counter.
To provide added durability and customisation, Square has collaborated with Belkin to supply protective cases for the Handheld device. The Belkin SheerForce cases are available in seven colours, offering additional protection and allowing businesses to match their branding with their hardware.
Point of Sale app
The latest version of the Square Point of Sale app powers the Square Handheld. With this iteration, Square has consolidated the functionality of its previous apps, including Square for Restaurants, Square for Retail, and Square Appointments, enabling businesses of all types and sizes to be managed within a single platform.
The app now features personalised layouts and smarter workflows, aiming to reflect the practical routines within businesses. Functions such as menu management, inventory tracking, and appointment booking are integrated, reducing administrative burden and enhancing business productivity.
Additional features for restaurants
Alongside the launch of Handheld, Square has introduced several new features relevant to UK restaurants. One of these is the Item Splitting tool, which allows staff to quickly and accurately divide bills for groups, intended to save time and reduce complications during service.
Another feature is the Scan to Pay QR code, which is printed on receipts. This allows customers to settle their bill by scanning the code on their personal device, enabling faster table turnover and freeing staff to focus on service.
Multi-channel menu management is now available, enabling businesses to synchronise and update menus across all locations and sales channels from a central dashboard, both online and offline.
Furthermore, Square has introduced integration with ResDiary and OpenTable for table reservations. Restaurants can now import reservation deposits directly into the Square Point of Sale app, allowing for automated deduction of deposits from final bills.
Square Handheld is now available to UK businesses, offering new options for hospitality operators looking to streamline their service and manage operations in a single, portable device.
