Nowadays, restaurant owners and managers utilize technology solutions like restaurant management software and apps to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.
This article will cover the pros and cons of the top 30 restaurant management software & apps. Let’s explore the specifics of restaurant software programs and further explore the details.
Key Takeaways
Streamlined Operations: Utilizing top restaurant software and apps can automate processes like order management and inventory tracking, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and boosting sales performance.
Integrated Management: Some restaurant software provides an integrated approach by combining online ordering, menu building, and reservation systems, simplifying restaurant operations and offering a unified business perspective.
Informed Decision-Making: The best restaurant management software includes detailed reports and restaurant analytics, enabling owners and managers to make well-informed decisions for everyday operations.
Enhanced Customer Experience: Effective restaurant management solutions improve the overall customer experience, contributing to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
Scalability and Adaptability: As restaurants undergo restaurant expansion, introducing new locations or varied services, their software can scale and adapt accordingly, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.
What is Restaurant Management Software?
- Order Management: Streamlining the ordering process from customers to the kitchen.
- Inventory Tracking: Monitoring stock levels and automating inventory control.
- Online Ordering Management: Facilitating online sales and delivery services.
- Staff Scheduling: Efficiently managing employee shifts and restaurant labor costs.
- Payment Processing: Handling various payment methods for seamless transactions.
Restaurant software enables comprehensive management of restaurants from start to finish, assisting restaurant owners and managers in overseeing all aspects of their operations.
- According to the Grand View Research Global, market report on the restaurant software market, the global market was valued at USD 4,556.4 million in 2022. It is projected to witness a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% from 2023 to 2030.
- Restaurant Business Online says automation has emerged as the top restaurant industry trends over the past year, and the demand for mobile-based restaurant management apps is rising.
What is the Must-Have Software for Restaurants?
Various restaurant software is used in the restaurant industry, each with its unique purpose.
Some essential software types that restaurants commonly use include the following:
- Online Ordering and Delivery Management Software: With the surge in delivery and carryout services, such software has become necessary. There are portals popularly used for deliveries and in-house online ordering systems.
- Website builder apps: They help create a restaurant website without technical knowledge.
- Restaurant menu management software: It helps create a restaurant menu with attractive photos and menu descriptions.
- Sales Management (POS) Software: Essential for tracking sales and inventory and managing employee timesheets.
- Restaurant Reservation Software: It allows customers to book restaurant tables via online platforms.
- Table Management Software: It helps efficiently manage restaurant seating and reservations.
- Inventory Management Systems: This helps keep track of food inventory to reduce food waste and ensure ingredients are always stocked.
- Restaurant Scheduling Software: Assists with organizing staff schedules, recording work hours and often includes payroll features.
- Restaurant review tracking management software: It helps to observe restaurant reviews and respond to them
- Social media management software: It enables businesses to manage their social media activities across various platforms from a unified dashboard.
It’s essential to remember that many contemporary systems provide multi-functional features. For instance, a restaurant POS system might combine restaurant inventory management, staff scheduling, and analytics.
An online ordering system might include a restaurant website builder, reservation system, and menu management software.
Remember that choosing restaurant management system software that caters best to a restaurant’s specific operational needs is critical.
For the purpose of this article, we divided the restaurant management software programs into categories, and for each category, we described the 3 best restaurant management software programs with their pros and cons.
Online Ordering and Delivery Management Software
This software helps restaurants get orders straight from customers and handle deliveries smoothly.
As more and more people order food online and get it delivered, this kind of software has become famous and essential among restaurants.
Restaurant loyalty programs are a great feature of a good restaurant management platform for online orders.
1. UpMenu
UpMenu is a top restaurant management system dedicated to the restaurant industry. It is an online ordering system that helps restaurants manage their online orders.
The system provides restaurants with custom reports and the possibility to track sales. The ordering process is smooth and quick.
Thanks to a built-in loyalty program and other marketing tools, restaurants can convert their one-time customers into loyal customers.
User-Friendly Interface
A limited number of orders in Basic and Standard subscriptions
Built-in marketing tools
Unbranding is available only in the Premium plan
Commission-free pricing model
2. Square
Square is an online ordering software that allows restaurants to create a personalized ordering website that reflects their brand.
It offers essential features like menu management, order tracking, and integrated payment processing, ensuring a seamless online ordering experience for both restaurants and customers.
Provides restaurants with a comprehensive ecosystem that includes their POS system and payment processing solutions.
High transaction fees if you don’t use Square payment gateway
Inventory management
Limited options of customization
Data reporting tools
3. Cloudwaitress
Cloudwaitress is an online ordering software and reservation platform designed specifically for restaurants.
It helps restaurants to process online orders, manage pickups, deliveries, QR code-based tableside ordering, and table reservations.
The platform allows small business owners to create branded websites and menus for personalized online presence.
Ease of use and the ability to customize your product or service
Lack of loyalty program
Integrated POS system
Lack of inventory management
Gives access to data on sales, customer behavior, and order trends.
Extra features like the iOS & Android app are expensive
Website Builder Apps
These apps are user-friendly tools that enable restaurant owners to create and customize restaurant websites without extensive technical knowledge.
These apps provide ready-to-be-used restaurant website templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and many customization options to build a restaurant website.
1. UpMenu
UpMenu is an excellent restaurant management system that provides restaurants with a website builder.
It requires no technical knowledge and enables a restaurant owner to create and customize a website consistent with the restaurant brand.
A user needs to choose one of the available predesigned restaurant website templates, add images and content, and then publish it on their domain.
2. Wix
Wix is a user-friendly cloud-based software for web development that empowers users to create and design restaurant websites.
With Wix, users can access key features like website-building tools, reliable website hosting, and domain registration services.
Drag-and-drop tools
Limited customization
Ready-made templates to choose from
E-commerce functionality is limited
Websites are mobile-optimized
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder app and hosting platform that equips users with various tools for creating and managing their websites.
Users can access diverse customizable templates, an excellent starting point for building a personalized website.
High-quality templates
Limited customization
Drag-and-drop tools
Expensive compared to other website builder apps
Responsive and Mobile-Optimized Design
Restaurant Menu Building and Management Software
Restaurant menu management software offers a centralized platform dedicated to creating, adjusting, and managing menu items.
This software helps to save time and minimize errors when creating a restaurant menu.
1. UpMenu
UpMenu is among the best restaurant management software thanks to its comprehensive restaurant menu app module that simplifies the process of adding and editing digital menus.
Users can easily add menu items, and incorporate modifiers, detailed descriptions, and visually appealing photos.
A selection of free menu templates enables users to create professional-looking menus quickly.
Menu modifiers
No paper menu templates
Free menu templates
QR code menu
2. iMenuPro
iMenuPro is a restaurant management solution for creating menus with customizable templates and design tools.
It allows easy editing to keep menus current and offers features like menu printing and website integration, streamlining the design and management process for restaurant owners.
Drag-and-drop tools
Lack of modifiers management module
Ready menu templates
Custom menu design is paid extra
It’s possible to create tent cards from a restaurant menu
3. MustHaveMenus
MustHaveMenus is an online restaurant management platform dedicated to assisting restaurants in creating and managing their menus.
With a wide range of configurable free menu templates, design tools, and printing services, MustHaveMenus helps businesses effectively showcase their dishes.
Professional menu templates
Lack of modifiers management module
Photos editing and adding effects feature
A free version doesn’t have all features
QR code menu
Sales Management (POS) Software
For seamless functioning in any restaurant, Sales Management or Point of Sale (POS) software plays a critical role.
These systems handle sales operations, monitor inventory, and frequently come equipped with supplementary features like customer relationship handling and workforce planning.
1. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is a mobile POS system specifically designed for restaurants, combining the features of traditional point-of-sale systems with the convenience of a mobile app.
It helps manage inventory, offers order management, and allows for customizable menus and staff scheduling, making it an effective solution for food service businesses.
A wide range of features for restaurants
May require technical expertise to use advanced features
iPad-Based Mobility
Limited Third-Party Integrations:
An intuitive and user-friendly interface
2. Toast POS
Toast is one of the restaurant management solutions that integrate POS system, front-of-house, back-of-house operations, and guest-facing technologies into a single restaurant management software.
It provides third-party integrations, and Toast empowers restaurants to enhance operations, drive revenue growth, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Toast offers a unified and efficient approach to restaurant management.
Good POS system with tableside ordering
You must use its payment processing services and cannot use a third party
Built-in reporting and analytics tools
Customized tipping
3. Lightspeed Restaurant POS
Lightspeed Restaurant POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed for restaurants and retailers.
This restaurant management solution offers advanced inventory management, integrated payment processing, customizable menu and helps to manage a restaurant’s floor plan.
Great inventory interface
More advanced configurations may require technical knowledge, or additional support
Calculates food costs
Higher pricing compared to some other POS systems, especially for small businesses
Reporting feature
Restaurant Reservation Software
This software is a digital tool that customers use to reserve tables at eateries online.
Additionally, it serves as an organizational tool for restaurants, helping them efficiently manage these reservations.
1. SevenRooms
SevenRooms is a restaurant management system for the hospitality industry.
This hotel restaurant management software platform integrates features such as reservation management, waitlist management, guest communication, table management, and online ordering.
Google and social media integrations
High cost for a reservation system
Reservation reports
Feedback software to measure customer satisfaction
2. OpenTable
OpenTable is a restaurant management system that provides a comprehensive reservation and guest management solution accessible from both office and mobile devices.
It automates table status updates and tracks key restaurant metrics like average guest spending per shift, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Guest CRM
A restaurant doesn’t own customer data
Reporting and analytics tools
No pre-payments
3. Resy
Resy is one of the most popular restaurant management systems that help restaurants manage guests and tables.
It is a dining platform that offers real-time availability, efficient waitlist management, and personalized recommendations.
Commission free pricing model
Lack of guest CRM
Pre-payments feature
Lack of marketing automation
Reporting and analytics tools
Table Management Software
This software is essential for restaurants to manage seating and bookings effectively.
It offers a clear overview of seating arrangements, handles waiting lists, manages guest flow, reduces wait times, and enhances overall workflow.
1. Eat App
Eat App is one of the most popular restaurant management systems that help restaurants manage tables.
It provides cloud-based applications to restaurants with the aim of boosting efficiency and revenue.
Its key features include real-time restaurant reservations, automation capabilities, comprehensive guest data, and customer relationship management (restaurant CRM) tools.
Guest Relationship Management
CRM, marketing and reports are included in the Pro version only
Marketing tools
Real-time updates and notifications
2. Tock
Tock is a table and guest management software designed for the hospitality industry, enabling restaurants to efficiently manage reservations and implement pre-paid bookings.
It enhances the guest experience and provides tools for personalized promotions, gift card management, and detailed reporting.
It specializes in pre-paid reservations
Expensive compared to other table managements systems
Ownership of all guest data
3. NexTable
NexTable is a user-friendly platform that helps restaurants manage reservations and optimize table usage effectively.
It provides real-time updates, automatic notifications, and detailed reporting to enhance customer service and streamline operations.
Real-time updates
Two-way text messaging in Pro version only
Automatic notifications
Building guests database with every reservation in Pro version only
Reporting and analytics tools
Inventory Management Systems
Inventory management systems track all ingredients and supplies, preventing excess or shortages and ensuring order accuracy while minimizing food waste.
These systems can be integrated with point-of-sale and accounting software to streamline operations.
1. BlueCart
BlueCart is a web and mobile platform that enables you to easily order from your suppliers and efficiently manage your inventory using your smartphone.
This restaurant management application enables you to browse through their network of suppliers or add your own, simplifying the ordering process.
It also lets you return excess or damaged products.
It simplifies the ordering process by providing a centralized platform to order from multiple suppliers
Access to the entire BlueCart platform available in the more expensive platform version
Users can manage orders and inventory directly from their smartphones
It reduces the chances of overstocking or wastage
2. MarketMan
MarketMan is a cloud-based inventory management platform supporting all sizes of restaurants.
It offers a range of features, including menu planning, budgeting, supplier management, and system-suggested ordering.
It helps streamline operations and optimize restaurant inventory management, helping reduce food cost.
Real-time inventory tracking
Recipe management & digital cookbook not available in Operator plan
Reporting tools to track restaurant’s performance
Inventory waste tracking not available in Operator plan
Recipe costing software to accurately calculate food cost
3. Upserve by Lightspeed
Upserve by Lightspeed, now called Lightspeed Restaurant (U-Series), is a comprehensive restaurant management platform offering various features, including a point-of-sale system, online ordering, inventory management, staff scheduling, and robust analytics.
This all-in-one solution supports restaurants in streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.
It gives low stock alerts and helps you review inventory in real-time
Loyalty programs are available in the Advanced version only
It eliminates manual stock counting and spreadsheets
The possibility to integrate your POS with accounting software
Food Safety Management Software
This software can streamline and automate the monitoring, documentation, and compliance processes related to food safety standards and regulations within the food industry.
1. FoodDocs
FoodDocs is a customizable HACCP Food Safety System designed to simplify compliance and monitoring for food businesses, contributing to restaurant digital transformation.
This innovative solution enables food service and production companies to save quality managers and teams 20% of their time on repetitive tasks each week.
14-day free trial, including the mobile app
Limited third-party integrations
Easy HACCP builder to start your business fast
Basic auditing system
Pre-set monitoring tasks with full customization capabilities
Staff Scheduling Software
Effective management of restaurant staff schedules is facilitated by tools that accommodate shift changes and time-off requests while ensuring compliance with labor regulations.
You can create your own restaurant schedule template using these apps to maximize efficiency.
1. 7shifts
7Shifts is an employee management software designed for the restaurant industry that tackles common scheduling challenges.
The mobile app enables employees to view upcoming shifts, manage availability, and submit time-off requests, while managers can oversee shift swaps and communicate with staff directly through the app.
It simplifies the scheduling process
Advanced features are not available in a Free plan
The platform offers labor cost tracking and forecasting features
Integrated with POS systems
2. HotSchedules
In 2019, HotSchedules merged with Fourth and became part of its technology ecosystem, offering a cloud-based solution for the restaurant and hospitality industry.
This software provides comprehensive scheduling, labor management, and communication tools to streamline employee management and optimize operational efficiency.
Labor forecasting and budgeting tools
The mobile app for staff is paid extra
It reduces labor costs
It reduces the time a manager spends on creating and managing schedules
3. Zenefits
Zenefits is an HR software platform designed to simplify and streamline HR operations for businesses of any size.
It offers features such as benefits administration, payroll management, time tracking, and employee onboarding, providing a comprehensive solution to improve efficiency and reduce administrative tasks.
All-in-one HR software including recruiting, onboarding, time, and scheduling
You are charged for a minimum of 5 employees for each of the products and services you use, even if you have fewer employees
User-friendly interface
It automates many HR processes, reducing manual data entry
Restaurant Review Tracking Management Software
This tool enables restaurants to efficiently track and manage customer reviews from various platforms by gathering and analyzing feedback from websites and social media.
It simplifies the review management process for restaurants.
1. ReviewTrackers
ReviewTrackers is an app that allows restaurants to monitor their reviews from various platforms in one central location, aggregating feedback from sites like Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Foursquare.
This simplifies the tracking and management of your restaurant’s online reputation by providing a comprehensive overview of customer feedback.
A centralized platform to monitor and manage reviews from multiple sources
Pricing might be higher compared to other review tracking software
Real-time notifications for new reviews
It helps restaurants improve their sales performance by listening and responding to guests in real-time
2. Reputology
Reputology is now part of ASG MarTech’s suite under the Grade.Us brand.
It provides comprehensive solutions for managing customer feedback, monitoring reviews, and conducting text analysis.
Using a centralized dashboard, helps businesses respond to customer reviews across various restaurant review sites.
Monitoring and analyzing customer reviews from various online review platforms
Management system dedicated to marketing agencies, not restaurants
Real-time alerts for new reviews
Reporting and analytics features
3. Yelp
Yelp is a well-known platform where diners can submit reviews, allowing restaurants to respond publicly or privately.
With over 80 million monthly visitors, restaurant owners can actively manage their presence on Yelp to engage with customers and maintain a positive reputation, ultimately enhancing sales data and overall business performance.
Positive reviews can act as social proof, and increase the number of guests visiting your restaurant
Yelp Ads are paid extra
It increases your restaurant's visibility and exposure to potential customers
Advertising options and promotional features
Social Media Management Software
Social media management software is essential for effective restaurant social media marketing, allowing businesses to create, schedule, and analyze content across various platforms.
These tools enhance customer engagement by providing performance insights and streamlining communication strategies to strengthen online presence.
1. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a highly regarded social media management app and platform that simplifies the management of multiple social media accounts for restaurants.
It allows restaurants to handle all social media activities in one place.
The platform offers post-scheduling, trend monitoring, and performance tracking features, empowering restaurants to engage effectively with their audience and optimize their social media presence.
One centralized dashboard to manage many social media platforms
Saved replies and auto-resolve conversations are not available in Professional and Team plans
You can plan and schedule social media posts in advance
Analytics and reporting tools
2. Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a platform designed to assist businesses in efficiently managing and enhancing their social media presence.
It provides valuable features like content scheduling, social media analytics, and collaboration tools, enabling businesses to streamline their social media efforts, effectively engage with their audience, and assess the success of their strategies.
Social content calendar
5 social plans only in Standard version
Social CRM
Profiles, keywords and locations monitoring
3. Buffer
Buffer is an app that centralizes social media management for your restaurant, allowing you to plan and schedule posts in advance, saving time and effort.
It also provides performance insights to help you track engagement and make data-driven decisions, all accessible from your phone or laptop.
You can schedule and publish posts across various platforms from one place
In a Free plan, you can schedule only up to 30 posts
You can plan and schedule social media posts in advance
Limited capabilities for social media monitoring and real-time engagement
It provides analytics on your restaurant social media performance
