What Changes When You Switch to Layout Mobile?

If you’re already running on Square, switching to Layout Mobile does not mean rebuilding your business. In fact, the goal is the opposite. Layout is built to sit on top of your current Square setup, not replace it.

Most things stay the same. The customer experience gets stronger.

The Big Picture

Layout Mobile generates a branded iOS ordering app for your business. That app connects directly to your Square POS. Your menu stays synced. Orders flow into your existing workflow. Your team does not need to learn a completely new system.

You keep Square. We add the mobile layer.

What Stays the Same

1) Your POS System

Layout currently works directly with Square. You do not switch POS providers. You do not re-enter your menu. You do not rebuild modifiers, pricing, or locations from scratch.

Everything pulls from Square.

If you change an item in Square, it updates in the app.

2) How Orders Are Handled

Orders placed in your app still route into Square.

From there, your team can:

• Use Square KDS (if you already have it and are on a paid Square plan)

• Or use our built-in Layout Kitchen Panel

Our kitchen panel is included and free to use inside your Layout dashboard at app.layoutmobile.com. It shows live incoming orders and lets staff update statuses in real time.

You are not forced into new hardware. No extra tablets are required if you do not want them.

3) Your In-Store Flow

Your in-store ordering stays the same. Staff still use Square as usual. Layout only affects mobile pickup orders placed through your branded app.

We are not changing how you ring up customers at the counter.

What Actually Changes

There are only a few real differences when you switch to Layout.

1) You Now Have a Branded Mobile App

Customers can download your app from the App Store and order ahead for pickup.

That means:

• Fewer people waiting at the counter

• More repeat ordering

• A direct channel to your customers through push notifications and announcements

Instead of relying on third-party marketplaces, you now own your own ordering channel.

2) Square's Online Processing Fees Apply

This is important to understand clearly.

Square charges different processing fees for in-store and online transactions.

Typical Square in-store processing:

• 2.6% + $0.15 per transaction (tap, dip, swipe)

Typical Square online processing:

• 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Mobile orders placed through your app are processed as online transactions. That means they use Square’s online rate.

This is not a Layout fee. It is Square’s standard online processing structure.

If you are on a paid Layout plan, there is also a monthly subscription for the platform. That covers the branded app, syncing, updates, and support.

Those are the main cost differences.

What Improves

1) Customer Retention

Mobile ordering is not just about convenience. It is about frequency.

With Layout, you can use:

• Square Loyalty (when applicable)

• Push notifications

• Announcements

• Order history and accounts

That gives you a direct way to bring customers back without paying third-party commissions.

2) Brand Control

Customers order from your app, not a marketplace app with competitors listed next to you.

Your logo. Your colors. Your experience.

Over time, that becomes valuable because you control the relationship.

3) Operational Simplicity

We designed Layout to reduce friction, not add it.

You are not learning a brand-new POS.

You are not managing separate menus.

You are not juggling five different dashboards.

Square remains the backbone. Layout adds the mobile experience on top.

What You Should Not Expect

You should not expect:

• A full POS replacement

• A complicated migration

• A massive operational overhaul

• New hardware requirements

If you are already comfortable running your shop through Square, you will still be comfortable after adding Layout.

Who This Works Best For

Layout Mobile is built for Square-based businesses that want mobile ordering without chaos.

Common fits include:

• Coffee shops

• Cafes

• Quick-service restaurants

• Owner-operators

• Multi-location Square brands

If your team is busy and you want mobile ordering that feels simple and controlled, this is built for you.