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With many commodity prices hitting new highs and food costs overall expected to rise by 3 percent to 5 percent this year, many operators recently raised the white flag in their battle to hold the line on menu price increases.

It’s not quite an avalanche, but iPad point of sale software is unfurling out into the marketplace at a heightened pace. Touting wireless connectivity, anywhere, anytime access and quick response to menu and room changes, the field is crowded with options, as newcomers to the market, like Lavu and Breadcrumb, join more established POS vendors like Micros, Revel Systems and Aloha.

Ken Calwell’s read on the challenges confront chains’ C-suites.