Byte

Cloud-based catering system for schools, trusts and caterers.

From pre-ordering and meal selection to service, reporting and trust-wide management, our intuitive platform brings every part of school catering together.

Byte cashless catering: EPOS screen showing waiting for customer scan, with students at a school servery

About Byte

Byte by North27 is a modern, cloud-based catering system built for schools, trusts and caterers. Formerly known as LunchClub, the platform has been developed over the past few years and is now used by hundreds of schools, with strong adoption across Ireland and growing interest internationally.

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Designed specifically for education, Byte brings together pre-ordering, meal selection, service, reporting and management in one connected platform. It supports primary and secondary schools through to further education and universities, and scales from single sites to multi-school trusts.

With flexible identification methods - QR codes, MIFARE cards, biometrics and PIN - wide-ranging integrations, AI-assisted reporting and a continuously evolving SaaS platform, Byte gives schools and caterers a reliable, future-ready system that adapts to their needs.

Ask AI about Byte#

Copy a ready-made prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or your preferred assistant - then ask your questions.

Who is Byte for?

Explore features and workflows for schools and colleges, trusts and MATs, and caterers - single site and multi-site.

Components

Eight core components, one connected system

Byte EPOS on a tablet: current sale with meal grid and centred allergen alert for Eggs

1. EPoS (Electronic point of sale) #

A fast, reliable till experience built for high-throughput school environments. Byte supports web, Windows and iOS platforms, with native capabilities on each to deliver optimal performance, flexible device-independent deployment and seamless integration with identification systems.

  • QR, MIFARE card, biometric or PIN patron identification
  • High-speed, high-throughput service
  • Flexible, device-independent deployment
  • Uninterrupted service, even with low or no connectivity

2. Kiosk ordering #

Kiosk ordering gives schools a fast option at busy service points - focused on confirming or collecting what is already known, not browsing a full menu on screen.

For catering teams, the familiar self-service feel can reinvigorate pupils' enthusiasm for ordering and may help improve uptake. Configured per site, it works alongside app and web pre-ordering, where pupils and parents choose meals in their own time, and with EPoS at the till.

  • Optional collection pre-ordering, configured per site
  • Built for school lunch service - confirmation and collection at speed
  • In their default state, screens act as digital signage for menus, promotions and catering messages
  • Oxhoo kiosk hardware - desk-mount or floor-standing, with peripheral options such as MiFare and fingerprint
Byte pre-ordering app and web screens: top-up and meal ordering interfaces

3. Pre-ordering app and web #

Flexible app and web pre-ordering for every setting - from parent, student and staff ordering to classroom-based workflows. Byte supports both canteen collection and in-class delivery models, helping schools manage catering in a way that fits their day.

  • App and web ordering for parents, students and staff
  • Classroom ordering via interactive whiteboard or teacher-led interface
  • Supports both canteen collection and classroom delivery
Byte back office on tablet: pre-orders dashboard with student list and order detail

4. Back office (administration) #

The back office (as shown here on an iPad) is where teams configure and run the catering operation - schools, users, menus, pre-orders, tills and more. One central platform with access tailored by role.

  • Manage schools and site structure
  • Manage users, groups and permissions
  • Manage menus, items and pre-orders - including print labels
  • Manage EPOS tills and service settings
Byte dashboard and reporting: operational overview, Ask AI queries and tabular results

5. Dashboard and reports #

The dashboard gives catering managers a single-pane view of day-to-day operations - compare performance, spot trends and export what you need.

When you need to go deeper, Byte offers tried-and-tested curated reports and the ability to create your own using AI.

  • Single-pane operational dashboard for catering managers
  • Compare sites, periods and metrics at a glance
  • Export reports to Excel, CSV and PDF
Developer view: syntax-highlighted integration and scripting code on a dark editor background

6. Integrations #

Connect Byte to the systems you already use so data flows automatically and teams spend less time on manual processes. Powered by Fusion, our integration platform, Byte is designed to fit seamlessly into your existing ecosystem.

  • MIS integrations including SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom, iSAMS and others
  • Payment and cashless integrations
  • API-first and extensible, with support for custom integrations
  • Support for integrations
Lunch Club payment terminal with contactless reader

7. Payments #

Payment workflows are a key part of Byte, with Stripe and Stripe Connect (managed by us) supporting online payments, in-person terminal payments and flexible settlement models. Where schools already use other ecosystems, Byte can integrate through partners such as Pebble, including routes into ParentPay and other cashless or finance workflows where needed.

Transaction fees (through Stripe) are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We usually aim for a blended fee across online and in-person payments, which can be as low as 1.275% + VAT depending on payment volume and setup.

  • Stripe-powered online and in-person payment flows
  • Stripe Connect support for flexible settlement and platform payment handling
  • Integration routes through Pebble for ParentPay and other payment workflows
  • A choice of terminal hardware - including cellular-capable models such as the Stripe Reader S710 with built-in 4G/LTE for sites without reliable WiFi
CR-80 card and keyfob dieline showing bleed, trim and safety zones
Example template

8. Card Bureau services #

North27 can supply Card Bureau services alongside Byte, covering CR-80 plastic and more eco-friendly card options, printing and encoding, with pricing from £2.00 per card depending on volume and finish.

  • Colour front and back printing, with mono back options available
  • Read and write support for MIFARE and other RFID/NFC technologies
  • Single cards, three-app snap-off cards, fobs, holders, cases and lanyards

Implementation

Planned around your catering operation, data and rollout needs.

1

Discovery & scoping

We map your sites, service models, integrations and rollout priorities before configuring Byte around how you actually operate.

2

Data migration & integrations

Our integrations team uses Fusion to help extract, transform and import existing data, then connect MIS/SIS, payment and identity systems.

3

Training & go-live

We support launch planning, team training and go-live readiness so catering staff, administrators and stakeholders know what to expect.

Support and continuous improvement

Flexible updates and expert support designed around how your school or organisation operates.

Flexible updates

Byte is a modern SaaS platform with a flexible release approach. Choose to adopt the latest features as they're released, or follow a more structured, termly update cycle to align with your operational needs.

Dedicated support

Get support from a team that understands education catering, with email-based ticketing, phone support when needed, and on-site assistance where required. Access guides and resources to help your team get the most from Byte.

Pricing

Every school is different - so pricing is built around your setup, integrations and scale.

Byte is a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution - total cost of ownership is typically lower over time, with no hidden costs or licensing surprises.

Use our quote generator to explore options and get a clear, realistic estimate, helping you understand what Byte could look like in practice and whether it's the right fit for your organisation.

Get Started with Byte

Start your journey with Byte today - explore ballpark pricing or talk to us about your rollout.

Ready to get started?

Join hundreds of schools and trusts already using Byte to streamline their operations. Get a ballpark quote or contact our sales team to discuss your rollout.

Accreditations & memberships

Crown Commercial Service Supplier
CRESCENT Purchasing Consortium Supplier
enFrame ICT Framework
Cyber Essentials Plus
BESA - Building Engineering Services Association