Last Reviewed: November 12th, 2024

Best Restaurant Management Software Of 2024

What is Restaurant Management Software?

Restaurant Management Software (RMS) provides comprehensive functionality directed at streamlining the myriad tasks associated with running a restaurant. From managing reservations and orders to overseeing inventory and suppliers, RMS addresses a vast array of logistical challenges in the hospitality sector. Importantly, it aids in enhancing customer service while simultaneously reducing labor costs through improved efficiency. Key features typically include POS integration, reservation management, inventory tracking, and analytics. The adaptability of RMS makes it a valuable tool for a variety of food service establishments, from small cafes to large restaurant chains. Despite its numerous benefits, businesses should consider potential limitations, such as integration issues with existing restaurant infrastructure, steep learning curves, and the necessity for consistent software updates. In conclusion, RMS offers a suite of vital tools to elevate the efficiency and profitability of the restaurant industry, enhancing service speed and quality in the process.

What Are The Key Benefits of Restaurant Management Software?

  • Improved Operational Efficiency
  • Enhanced Customer Service
  • Reduces Labor Costs
  • Streamlined Inventory Management
  • Integrated Point of Sale
  • Effective Reservation Management
  • Insightful Business Analytics
  • Digital Menu Management
  • Real-time Reporting Capabilities
  • Elevated Staff Productivity
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Overall

Based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub for 98 solutions, we determined the following solutions are the best Restaurant Management Software overall:

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Why We Picked Clover

Clover shines for its user-friendly interface and extensive app marketplace, winning praise for its ease of use and flexibility. "It took my new employee barely a day to get comfortable with the system," one restaurant owner shared. Users rave about the ability to customize Clover with industry-specific apps, like a salon owner who added online booking, saying it "streamlined appointments and boosted customer satisfaction." However, Clover's appeal may wane as businesses scale. Some users feel constrained by the reporting capabilities, wishing for the deeper customization offered by competitors like Shopify POS. "Clover reports were too basic for analyzing my inventory trends," noted one retailer. Additionally, transaction fees for high-volume businesses can become a sticking point compared to more cost-effective options like Stripe. Finally, some users caution about potential hardware lock-in, where switching to different POS systems or even upgrading within Clover can be expensive due to incompatible hardware. This can be a deal-breaker for businesses unsure about their long-term needs. Overall, Clover excels for smaller businesses or those prioritizing ease of use and app integrations. However, its limitations in reporting, fee structure, and hardware flexibility become more apparent as businesses grow, pushing them towards more powerful and scalable POS solutions. Ultimately, the choice boils down to prioritizing user-friendliness and flexibility in the early stages versus advanced features and scalability as a business matures.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of use: Praised for its intuitive interface and touchscreen operation, enabling quick learning and adoption for new employees, saving training time and boosting efficiency.
  • App customization: Users love the vast app marketplace offering industry-specific integrations and features, like appointment booking for salons or online ordering for restaurants, tailoring Clover to unique business needs.
  • Data-driven insights: Detailed sales reports and inventory tracking are seen as game-changers, providing valuable data to optimize operations, identify marketing opportunities, and make informed business decisions.
  • Reliable hardware: Users appreciate the quality and durability of Clover hardware, minimizing downtime and disruptions during peak hours, with features like offline payments ensuring service even without internet.
  • Scalability and flexibility: Clover's ability to adapt to growing businesses is a plus, with various hardware options and plan upgrades facilitating smooth transitions as transaction volume and business needs increase.
  • Higher monthly fees for high volume: While competitive for low-volume businesses, Clover's transaction fees and higher-tier plan costs can become significant for businesses processing large volumes, making other options like Stripe potentially more cost-effective.
  • Limited reporting customization: Users with complex reporting needs may find Clover's report customization options insufficient, lacking the depth and flexibility offered by dedicated business intelligence tools or high-end POS systems.
  • Potential hardware lock-in: Some features require specific Clover hardware, making switching to other POS systems or even upgrading within Clover potentially expensive as existing hardware may not be compatible.
  • Occasional app limitations: While the app marketplace is vast, certain industry-specific features or integrations may be missing, requiring workarounds or alternative solutions if Clover doesn't fully address a specific business need.
  • Steeper learning curve for complex features: While basic operations are user-friendly, advanced features like inventory management or employee roles can require more training and familiarization, potentially slowing down adoption for some users.

Key Features

  • Intuitive interface: Easy-to-use touchscreen interface for quick navigation and efficient transactions.
  • Payment processing: Accepts major credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and more.
  • Inventory management: Track stock levels, set alerts, and generate purchase orders to optimize inventory control.
  • Employee management: Track employee hours, assign permissions, and manage payroll with ease.
  • Sales reporting: Generate detailed sales reports to track revenue, analyze trends, and make informed business decisions.
  • Customer management: Store customer information, track purchase history, and create loyalty programs to foster customer relationships.
  • App marketplace: Access a wide range of third-party apps to extend Clover's functionality and cater to specific business needs.
  • Hardware options: Choose from various terminals, card readers, and printers to create a custom POS setup that suits your business.
  • Mobile app: Manage your business on the go with Clover's mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
  • Cloud-based: Access data and manage your POS system from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Security: Protects sensitive customer data with industry-leading security measures.
  • Customer support: Offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online resources.
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Why We Picked Toast

Toast garners praise for its user-friendly interface, robust reporting, and mobile capabilities, making it a popular choice for restaurants of various sizes. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies training and streamlines daily operations compared to competitors like Square and Lightspeed POS. Toast's extensive reporting, often highlighted as superior to competitors, empowers data-driven decision-making by offering detailed insights into sales, labor, and customer behavior. Additionally, the ability to manage orders and payments tableside using mobile devices sets Toast apart, enhancing staff flexibility and customer service during peak hours.

However, concerns arise regarding Toast's pricing structure, customization options, and technical glitches. The multi-tiered pricing, perceived as more complex than competitors, can become expensive for businesses with specific needs or multiple locations. While Toast offers various features, users sometimes find them less customizable than those in competitors like Revel Systems, restricting their ability to tailor the system to their unique workflows. Occasional technical issues and reported long wait times for customer support raise concerns about reliability compared to competitors known for their robust technical support, such as Micros.

Ultimately, Toast's strengths in user-friendliness, reporting, and mobility resonate with many users, but its pricing complexity, limited customization, and potential technical issues demand careful consideration. Deciding factors often boil down to individual business needs, budget constraints, and desired level of customization. Weighing Toast's strengths against its potential drawbacks alongside competitor offerings becomes crucial for making an informed decision.

Pros & Cons

  • Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise Toast's easy-to-learn and navigate interface, with clear menus, large buttons, and simple workflows, making it accessible for staff of all technical levels.
  • Robust reporting: Toast's comprehensive reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales, inventory, labor costs, customer behavior, and more, empowering data-driven decision-making.
  • Mobile flexibility: Staff can take orders, process payments, and manage tables directly from tablets or smartphones, enhancing tableside service and flexibility during busy periods.
  • Reliable payment processing: Users commend Toast's integrated payment processing for its speed, reliability, and security, ensuring smooth transactions and minimizing downtime.
  • Scalability for growth: Toast's ability to accommodate multiple locations, expanding menus, and growing staff needs makes it a popular choice for businesses with expansion plans.
  • Pricing complexity: Users express frustration with Toast's tiered pricing structure, which can become confusing and expensive, especially for businesses with multiple locations or add-on features.
  • Limited customization: Some users find Toast's customization options for menus, reporting, and workflows to be somewhat restrictive, hindering their ability to tailor the system to unique business processes.
  • Technical glitches: Users occasionally report software glitches, hardware issues, or slow performance during peak hours, leading to temporary disruptions in operations.
  • Customer support wait times: While Toast offers 24/7 support, users sometimes experience long wait times for phone assistance or delayed responses to inquiries, causing frustration when urgent issues arise.
  • Inventory management limitations: Users with complex inventory needs, such as multiple suppliers or intricate recipe tracking, find Toast's inventory management capabilities to be somewhat basic and lacking in advanced features.

Key Features

  • Online Ordering: Allow guests to order food online for takeout and delivery, schedule orders in advance, access the online menu and make contactless payments. Receive new orders directly in the restaurant’s point of sale system, customize the online ordering page, access customer insights and request guest feedback to modify services. 
  • Gift Cards and Rewards: Boost customer influx and increase revenue by selling modern e-Gift Cards. Allow users to text or email cards for in-store and online purchases. Check card balance and schedule gift cards in advance to build relationships with customers. Sell customized physical gift cards and review detailed reports on gift card sales. 
  • Expedited Delivery: Create an on-demand delivery network with local drivers at a single per-order fee. Simplify the process with real-time order tracking and advance scheduling, online payment options and review restaurant services based on customer behavior with reporting and analytics. 
  • Email Marketing: Improve communication and drive customer retention with emails. Run targeted promotions, increase revenue, automate outreach and campaigns, create custom email lists, run A/B tests to refine communication, and send customized messages to deepen brand loyalty. 
  • Self-help Services: Accelerate the online ordering experience with self-help kiosks. Leverage quick restaurant service, reduce wait times and increase staff productivity. Offer a personalized dining experience with order add-ons, SMS notifications and real-time menu updates. 
  • Workspace Management: Facilitate efficient team regulation with a centralized labor management system. Log and track work hours, monitor timesheets, calculate tips, ensure paycheck accuracy with automated wage recording, register new staff electronically and more. Get insight into employee performance with detailed reports and analytics. 
Start Price
$159
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Why We Picked Mindbody

Mindbody is a business management software designed for gyms, spas, salons and other businesses in the wellness industry. On the plus side, it offers an innovative user interface, calendar syncing, marketing and CRM integrations, and insightful reporting capabilities. It offers a dynamic booking and scheduling system to schedule group sessions, set appointments, sell retail products, manage staff hours and more.

Based on user reviews, the software faces frequent crashes and bug problems. Customer service executives are undertrained and take hours to respond. All things considered, Mindbody is an ideal solution for businesses in the yoga and fitness industry.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly: The system offers a practical and innovative interface with quality graphics, according to 80% of users who reviewed this element.
  • Reporting: 60% of users who mentioned this feature said reporting tools are extensive and varied.
  • Functionality: 90% of users mentioning functionalities said the software offers great scheduling, booking and cancellation options.
  • Customer Service: The support executives are unresponsive, and wait times are long, according to 90% of users who reviewed this aspect.
  • Cost-Effective: 100% of users reviewing pricing found the software expensive.
  • Operating System: 90% of users reporting this element experienced frequent software crashes, outages and system bugs.

Key Features

  • Online Services: Manage and deliver services online for an enhanced customer experience. Organize virtual fitness classes, interact with clients using an AI receptionist, manage appointments, process digital payments and connect with members around the globe. Allow clients to schedule courses, access the content library, accept offers, drop reviews and more. 
  • Client Profiles: Automate and personalize services by managing individual profiles for staff members based on availability. Set the upper limit to the number of clients able to enroll in a given class, create automated waitlists, track remaining courses and allow online scheduling and payments. Access the client history, including past classes, membership status, signed contracts, waivers, invoices, due bills and more using the customer management tools. 
  • Payment Tools: Fast-track payments using multiple transaction options and seamless integration with third-party channels. Simplify the checkout process using software tools like the credit card magnetic reader, electronic cash drawer, barcode labels, thermal receipt printer and more. 
  • Mobile Application: Create a personalized mobile app to increase your brand exposure and broaden the customer experience. Boost client retention, engagement and spending and allow customers to book, schedule and access services directly from the phone. Send push notifications for deals and events announcements, cancellation notices and manage business operations on a single screen. 
  • Automated Customer Marketing: Send automatic emails and texts, create smart contact lists to deliver tailored messages and personalize marketing campaigns. Share announcements, request reviews, offer rewards, take feedback and run insightful reports to boost customer loyalty and retention. 
Start Price
$69
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Why We Picked Lightspeed

Lightspeed POS, a cloud-based solution catering to retail, hospitality, and service industries, garners mixed reviews from users. While lauded for its user-friendly interface, robust features, omnichannel capabilities, and seamless integrations, some find its pricing complex, offline functionality limited, and specific functionalities lacking.

Strengths that shine: Users consistently praise Lightspeed's intuitive interface, making it easy for both tech-savvy and less-experienced individuals to navigate. The vast feature set, encompassing inventory management, reporting, customer relationship management, and employee tools, caters to diverse business needs. Integrations with popular software like QuickBooks and Shopify streamline operations and data exchange. Notably, Lightspeed excels in omnichannel management, allowing businesses to manage online and physical stores seamlessly, a crucial strength in today's retail landscape.

Weaknesses to consider: The pricing structure, with tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality, can be confusing for some users. The lack of true offline functionality can be a dealbreaker for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas. While the feature set is comprehensive, some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, which might necessitate workarounds or third-party integrations.

Standing out from the crowd: Compared to competitors like Square POS and Shopify POS, Lightspeed offers a wider range of features and caters to more complex business needs. However, these strengths come at a higher price point. Ultimately, the choice between Lightspeed and its competitors boils down to individual business requirements and budget constraints.

In conclusion, Lightspeed POS is a feature-rich solution with a user-friendly interface, but its pricing structure and lack of true offline functionality can be drawbacks. If you prioritize omnichannel capabilities, extensive integrations, and a robust feature set, Lightspeed is worth considering. However, carefully evaluate your needs and budget against potential limitations before making a decision.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly Interface: Users consistently praise Lightspeed's intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and perform tasks efficiently, even with limited technical experience.
  • Robust Features: Lightspeed offers an extensive suite of features, addressing various business needs, including inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management, employee management, and omnichannel capabilities.
  • Integrations: The system integrates seamlessly with a wide range of popular third-party software, such as accounting, marketing, and e-commerce platforms, streamlining workflows and data exchange.
  • Omnichannel Functionality: Lightspeed excels in managing both online and in-store sales channels effectively, providing a unified experience for customers and streamlining operations across multiple touchpoints.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Users appreciate the comprehensive reporting tools that offer insights into sales trends, customer behavior, inventory levels, and employee performance, enabling data-driven decision-making.
  • Customer Support: Lightspeed offers multiple support channels, including phone, email, and online resources, with generally helpful and knowledgeable agents, providing assistance when needed.
  • Pricing Structure: Some users find the tiered pricing plans and add-on fees confusing, making it difficult to calculate accurate costs upfront.
  • Limited Offline Functionality: Reliance on an internet connection can be problematic for businesses with unreliable internet or those operating in remote areas.
  • Inventory Management Issues: Some users have reported challenges with inventory tracking accuracy, slow syncing across multiple locations, and a lack of advanced inventory features.
  • Customer Support Wait Times: While generally helpful, customer support can experience longer wait times during peak periods, leading to potential delays in resolving issues.
  • Steeper Learning Curve: The extensive feature set can be overwhelming for less tech-savvy users, requiring a greater investment in training and onboarding.
  • Customization Limitations: Adapting the system to highly specific workflows or unique business models can be challenging without extensive workarounds or third-party integrations.

Key Features

  • E-Commerce: Set up an online store with customizable, mobile-friendly templates and built-in SEO tools. Sync inventories across all physical locations, purchase stock from the Lightspeed Supplier Market and sell units from a unified dashboard. Manage in-store appointments and Google local inventory ads from the POS system. 
  • Payment Processing: Complete sales with simple pricing, no hidden fees, a fast and secure checkout experience, and built-in PCI compliance and fraud detection. Process transactions with EMV-compatible terminals and accept all payment methods. Receive a dedicated expert’s assistance on dispute management and chargeback issues. Available only in the U.S; external integrations are required for payment processing in Canada, Australia and the U.K. 
  • Loyalty: Offer a point-based loyalty program with flexible reward tiers to incentivize customer loyalty and boost retention. Manage both in-store and online promotions and coupons while providing one-time special offers on birthdays or to VIP shoppers. Boost custom marketing campaigns with seasonal promotions and auto-segment customers based on their purchasing habits. 
  • Analytics: Drill down on critical areas with customizable reports and monitor sales, inventory and employee performance to make growth-oriented decisions. With Analytics Core, pay only for the expert-crafted reports required for business instead of the whole suite of report templates. 
  • Lightspeed Accounting: This integration creates a link between a store’s POS and accounting systems. Record business finances with automatic bookkeeping and receive daily sales receipts, profit and loss statements and more. 
  • Hardware: Choose from various hardware bundles for businesses or acquire single items, including zebra label printers, USB or Bluetooth bar scanners, Verifone P400 PIN pads, TM-m30 receipt printers and more. Design branded gift cards for the store and ship them to customers’ doorsteps. 
  • Restaurant Point of Sale: Offers industry-specific POS system for restaurants. 
    • Delivery: Syncs menu with major delivery apps like UberEats, SkipTheDishes or DoorDash to scale business and reach more customers. Receive delivery orders, promote high-margin dishes, create delivery-only menus and more. 
    • Order Ahead: Provide customers with the flexibility to order ahead for takeout, curbside pickup and appointments. They can add custom notes, table and room number requested, whether utensils are required and more details. Keep customers in the loop with real-time SMS notifications. 
    • Self Order Menus: Let customers send their orders via an interactive digital menu directly to the kitchen, bypassing the need for waiters and servers. Realign employees to focus on faster cooking, increasing order accuracy and improving customer service. 
    • Kitchen Display System: Displays a detailed view of every order, including turnaround time and images, color codes orders according to assigned chefs, and sends alerts for pending orders. Have online orders directly go to the display board after submission for faster preparation. 
    • Customer Facing Display: Exhibit the total breakdown of customers’ orders, subtotal cost, tax percentage, tips paid and total price on a display screen. Customize the screen with business logo and brand colors while advertising high-margin dishes or the item-of-the-day. 
    • Enterprise: Run multiple restaurants located in different places with a cloud-based POS system. Monitor each location’s sales, employee and promotional data while centralizing customer data from numerous areas. Customize and scale as needed with an open API interface. 
  • Golf Course Management: Caters to businesses that operate golf courses. 
    • Tee Sheets: Personalize tee sheets according to the facility’s structure. Manage golf courses from nine to 54 holes. Accommodate any play type, including shotguns, crossovers, front or back nines and more. 
    • Booking Management: Players can register for tournaments and pick their tee times. Organize monthly or yearly leagues, track attendees and review metrics from the dashboard. 
    • Membership Management: Create unlimited types of memberships, customize booking restrictions and pricing structures per type, and automate the billing process. 
    • Professional Website: Increase online presence, showcase facilities, attract more golfers and provide flexible payment options through a personalized website and mobile application. Design websites with preset templates or customize them with source coding. The vendor takes charge of website maintenance. 
  • Integrations: Leverage various integrations for assistance in accounting, analytics, CRM, marketing, payment processing (In the U.K, Canada and Australia), ERP, invoicing and more. 
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Why We Picked Square POS

Square POS shines for its ease of use and affordability for small businesses, especially those starting out. Users praise its intuitive interface, seamless setup, and mobile accessibility, making it a breeze to ring up customers and manage basic sales. It also integrates well with popular tools like email marketing and accounting software, offering a centralized platform for managing various aspects of their business. However, Square's appeal wanes as businesses grow. Users lament its limited reporting and inventory management features, lacking the depth and customization offered by competitors like Shopify POS or Clover. Square's higher transaction fees for larger volumes also become a drawback compared to options like Stripe, which offer lower rates based on monthly transaction volume. Furthermore, Square's customer support receives mixed reviews. While some appreciate its responsiveness, others face frustrating wait times and limited communication channels, especially compared to the dedicated phone and live chat support offered by competitors. Overall, Square POS is a strong contender for solopreneurs and micro-businesses seeking a user-friendly and affordable POS solution. However, its limitations become apparent as businesses scale, pushing them towards more robust and feature-rich platforms. The choice ultimately boils down to prioritizing ease of use and affordability in the early stages versus scalability and advanced features as a business grows.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly: 96% of users who reviewed this element said the software is flexible and mobile with a clean user interface.
  • Economical: According to 70% of users who mentioned this aspect, the pricing is fair and competitive.
  • Card Payments: 80% of users who reviewed payments said the platform is useful for processing cashless transactions with cards and sending invoices.
  • Invoicing: Regarding this feature, 95% of users said it’s easy to create, add and send invoices to clients.
  • Costly for high-volume transactions: The per-transaction fees become significant as your business grows, pushing Square beyond cost-effective for many merchants.
  • Limited reporting and inventory: Users find Square's reports lack depth and flexibility, making detailed sales analysis and inventory management challenging.
  • Unreliable customer support: Users report difficulty reaching support, long wait times, and frustrating email-only communication, leaving them feeling helpless when issues arise.
  • Account holddowns and closures: Square's automated fraud detection can lead to sudden account freezes and closures, causing business disruptions and difficulties resolving the issue.
  • Clunky hardware: Some users find the Square hardware, particularly the chip reader, clunky and frustrating to use, impacting checkout workflow and customer experience.

Key Features

  • Intuitive Register Interface: Easy-to-use touch-screen interface with customizable menu items, modifiers, and employee permissions.
  • Payment Processing: Accept all major credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and cash.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and generate purchase orders.
  • Employee Management: Track employee hours, create schedules, and manage payroll.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Store customer information, track purchase history, and send targeted marketing campaigns.
  • Sales Reporting: Generate reports on sales, inventory, employee performance, and customer behavior.
  • Mobile App: Access Square POS from your smartphone or tablet to process payments, manage inventory, and view reports on the go.
  • Online Ordering: Allow customers to order and pay online for pickup or delivery.
  • Loyalty Program: Reward customers for repeat business with points, discounts, and special offers.
  • Gift Cards: Sell physical and digital gift cards to boost sales and customer loyalty.
  • Integrations: Connect Square POS with other business tools, such as accounting software, payroll providers, and email marketing platforms.
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Key Features

  • Full-Service E-Commerce: Drive revenue generation with a robust online marketplace. Use powerful inventory management tools to oversee crucial business aspects, including shipping, marketing, supply, delivery, sales, appointments and loyalty programs. Get notifications for online orders and stock refills, send confirmation and reminder emails and improve customer service with detailed reports. 
  • Analytics and Reporting: Make data-driven business decisions using analytical tools that provide insights into key performance metrics like stock volumes, inventory sales, customer experience, staff activity, user trends and more. 
  • Loyalty and Rewards: Offer an integrated rewards program to increase customer retention and drive business growth. Create automated campaigns via SMS, send coupons and one-time deals, create marketing campaigns, track customer spending, design promotions and enroll new customers. 
  • Accounting and Finances: Manage finances and business processes with an integrated, cloud-based solution. Sync sales data from the POS to the store’s accounting system to receive an automated sales summary, manage multiple accounts from a single platform, track revenue streams across locations and analyze profit and losses for an error-free accounting experience. 
  • Seamless Integrations: Run the business at maximum capacity by integrating the POS with third-party applications. Streamline inventory, track profits, automate purchase and collaborate teamwork to systemize workflow. 
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Why We Picked SpotOn

SpotOn scores high marks for user-friendliness, adaptability, and customer insights, often outshining larger competitors like Clover with its intuitive interface and customizable features. For restaurants, its table management shines, while retailers appreciate the inventory control tools. However, the pricing structure can be confusing, with hidden fees and add-ons that inflate the initial quote. Offline functionality struggles during internet outages, which can be a dealbreaker for some businesses. While SpotOn boasts extensive integrations, some users encounter glitches and connectivity issues, disrupting workflows. Customer support also receives mixed reviews, with some praising prompt assistance and others facing long wait times and inconsistent resolutions. Compared to Square, SpotOn offers more features but lacks its sleek simplicity and ease of use for solopreneurs. Overall, SpotOn is a powerful POS that shines for its adaptability and industry-specific strengths. However, potential users should be prepared for pricing complexities, potential internet hiccups, and occasional integration troubles. If you value user-friendliness, intuitive features, and deep customer insights, SpotOn deserves a closer look, but if transparency and consistent performance are top priorities, other options might be a better fit.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly: The system is easy to set up and navigate, 90% of users said about this element.
  • Customer Support: 100% of users who reviewed the support said it’s informative and company representatives are knowledgeable.
  • Integration: About 70% of users who mentioned this feature said the product offers effortless and smooth integrations.
  • Reporting: Approximately 90% of users who talked about this aspect said it's extensive and insightful.
  • Menu Management: Items are easily changeable and update instantly, said 95% of users about the menu.
  • Pricing Complexity: SpotOn's pricing structure can be confusing, with multiple plans, add-ons, and varying fees depending on industry and features. Users report difficulty getting clear quotes and unexpected charges.
  • Limited Offline Functionality: While cloud-based, SpotOn struggles during internet outages. Some features become completely unavailable, impacting critical operations like order processing and payment acceptance.
  • Customer Support Inconsistencies: User experiences with customer support are mixed. Some praise quick and helpful responses, while others encounter long wait times, technical issues, and inconsistent resolutions.
  • Integration Glitches: While offering many integrations, users report occasional bugs and connectivity problems with third-party tools, disrupting workflows and requiring time-consuming troubleshooting.
  • Interface Learning Curve: While generally user-friendly, some advanced features, particularly in industry-specific plans, have a steeper learning curve, requiring additional training for staff.

Key Features

  • Centralized Workspace: Organize workflows and accelerate revenue growth with efficient customer service tools. Add employee profiles, view customer contact information, access sales reports, send invoices, manage inventory, monitor employee activity, process payments and more using Register. 
  • Online Customer Service: Create a centralized customer service platform on a single dashboard. Manage employee schedules, send automated reminders, offer loyalty rewards and process checkouts with a digital user interface. Benefit from two-way texting with clients, integrated payment options and digital marketing tools. 
  • Intuitive Reporting: Provide intelligible insights into key KPIs with real-time, intuitive reports. Get easy-to-understand, cloud-based reports based on business data on a consolidated dashboard, accessible on the desktop and mobile phone. 
  • Virtual Payments: Offer a secure and seamless transaction process with mobile-friendly, online payment options. Send invoices, set up billing plans, collect deposits, send digital receipts and more on a secure platform. 
  • Customer Marketing: Drive customer engagement using hands-on digital marketing tools. Create custom rewards, enroll customers during checkout, offer limited-time deals, create marketing campaigns, send promos on special occasions and improve advertising to boost customer retention. Track marketing performance with comprehensive reports on a consolidated dashboard. 
  • Interactive Reviews: Facilitate a robust communication system with dynamic interactive features. Monitor, manage and respond to online reviews through a personalized dashboard and receive real-time alerts for new reviews to understand customer sentiments and expectations. 
Start Price
$108
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Why We Picked NCR Silver

NCR Silver, a POS software solution, has garnered a mixed bag of user reviews in the past year. While praised for its intuitive interface, ease of use, and robust reporting features, some users have expressed concerns regarding its pricing structure, limited customization options, and occasional glitches. On the positive side, many users appreciate NCR Silver's clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for new staff to learn the ropes quickly. The software's reporting capabilities are also a hit, offering valuable insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behavior. This data-driven approach helps businesses make informed decisions and optimize their operations. For instance, one user mentioned using NCR Silver's reporting to identify slow-selling items and adjust their ordering accordingly, leading to a significant reduction in waste. However, some users find the software's pricing to be on the higher end, especially for smaller businesses. Additionally, the customization options are perceived as limited compared to competitors, hindering businesses with unique workflows or branding needs. A recurring complaint dotyczy occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt operations, although NCR has been working on addressing these issues through regular updates. Overall, NCR Silver seems to be a solid POS system for businesses seeking a user-friendly and data-rich solution. However, its pricing and limited customization might deter cost-conscious businesses or those with specific needs. Carefully weighing the strengths and weaknesses against your individual requirements is crucial before making a decision.

Pros & Cons

  • Intuitive Interface: Users often praise the easy-to-learn interface, with clear navigation and touchscreen compatibility.
  • Mobile Capabilities: Manage sales, inventory, and employee timecards remotely using the mobile app.
  • Flexible Payment Processing: Accept various payment methods, including EMV chip cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets.
  • Robust Reporting: Generate detailed sales, inventory, and employee performance reports to track business insights.
  • Customer Management Tools: Build customer loyalty with features for tracking purchase history, creating targeted promotions, and managing gift cards.
  • Limited Customization Options: Users may find the system's customization capabilities for receipts, reports, and workflows restrictive compared to some competitors.
  • Potential Inventory Management Issues: Some reviews mention challenges with inventory tracking accuracy and stock syncing across multiple locations.
  • Technical Glitches: Occasional reports of software glitches, slow loading times, and hardware compatibility issues, though frequency may vary.
  • Customer Support Response Times: Mixed experiences with customer support, with some users reporting long wait times or difficulty reaching knowledgeable representatives.
  • Hidden Fees: Potential for unexpected fees for hardware, add-ons, or specific payment processing services, which can increase overall costs.

Key Features

  • Kitchen Management: Optimize kitchen operations and boost efficiency using table mapping, offline credits, menu management and more. Colour code and route orders, assign preparation time, attach receipts, monitor production status, forecast requirements and leverage integrations to enhance the overall experience. 
  • Online Ordering: Create a flexible and effective digital ordering system to deliver quick services. Allow guests to order for curbside pickups, in-house delivery and third-party delivery. Process contactless payments, offer customizable menus, integrate with delivery providers, send orders directly to the kitchen and more across multiple devices. 
  • Alerts: Prioritize important tasks and regulate operations based on real-time notifications. Get instant alerts about new orders, updates, payments, non-availability of items, customer reviews and other communications without delay. Resolve issues to ensure smooth workplace functioning. 
  • Marketing: Offer rewards, discounts, promos and discounts to boost customer retention. Analyze transaction data, interaction stats and customer buying patterns to create targeted campaigns and personalized deals. Send marketing messages via SMS, MMS and email. 
  • Online Payments: Use a fully integrated platform to process online payments, equipped with a branded user interface and compatible with any smartphone device. Allow guests to scan a QR code or click a link from a text message to pay and send electronic receipts via email upon receiving checks. 
Start Price
$69
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked Lightspeed Retail

Lightspeed Retail garners mixed reviews from users, highlighting both its strengths and potential drawbacks. On the positive side, users consistently praise its intuitive interface, making it easy for both tech-savvy and less-experienced individuals to navigate. The extensive feature set, encompassing inventory management, reporting, customer management, and omnichannel capabilities, caters to diverse business needs. Integrations with popular software like QuickBooks and Shopify streamline operations and data exchange. Notably, Lightspeed excels in omnichannel management, allowing businesses to seamlessly manage online and physical stores, a crucial strength in today's retail landscape.

However, some find the pricing structure complex, with tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality. The lack of true offline functionality can be a dealbreaker for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas. While the feature set is comprehensive, some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, which might necessitate workarounds or third-party integrations.

Compared to competitors like Square POS and Shopify POS, Lightspeed offers a wider range of features and caters to more complex business needs. However, these strengths come at a higher price point. Ultimately, the choice between Lightspeed and its competitors boils down to individual business requirements and budget constraints. If you prioritize omnichannel capabilities, extensive integrations, and a robust feature set, Lightspeed is worth considering. However, carefully evaluate your needs and budget against potential limitations before making a decision.

Pros & Cons

  • Intuitive Interface: Users consistently praise Lightspeed Retail's user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and perform tasks efficiently, even for those with limited technical experience.
  • Omnichannel Capabilities: Seamlessly manage online and physical stores, providing a unified customer experience and streamlining inventory and order management.
  • Robust Feature Set: Offers a wide range of features addressing diverse business needs, including inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management, and employee tools.
  • Integrations with popular software: Streamlines operations and data exchange by connecting with accounting, marketing, and e-commerce platforms like QuickBooks, Shopify, and Mailchimp.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Manage your business on the go with mobile apps for sales, inventory, and employee management, offering flexibility and convenience.
  • Complex Pricing Structure: Tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality can be confusing and lead to higher-than-expected costs.
  • Limited Offline Functionality: Reliance on internet connectivity can be problematic for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas.
  • Missing Advanced Features: Some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, requiring workarounds or third-party integrations.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Complex Needs: While user-friendly overall, the extensive feature set can be overwhelming for those needing in-depth customization or specific functionalities.
  • Customer Support Wait Times: While generally helpful, customer support can experience longer wait times during peak periods, potentially delaying issue resolution.

Key Features

  • Omnichannel Sales: Sell seamlessly across physical stores, online platforms, and marketplaces.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock levels, automate reordering, manage multiple locations, and receive low-stock alerts.
  • Point of Sale: Process transactions quickly, accept various payment methods, and apply discounts and loyalty programs.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Track customer data, purchase history, preferences, and create personalized marketing campaigns.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into sales trends, inventory levels, customer behavior, and employee performance.
  • Employee Management: Track time and attendance, assign tasks, manage schedules, and control permissions.
  • Integrations: Connect with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero), ecommerce platforms (Shopify), marketing tools (Mailchimp), and payment processors.
  • Mobile Apps: Access POS, inventory, and reporting features on mobile devices.
  • Hardware Options: Choose from compatible terminals, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.
  • Cloud-Based: Access from anywhere with internet connectivity, automatic updates, and secure data storage.
  • Security: Protects customer data with PCI compliance and industry-standard security measures.
  • Customer Support: Offers phone, email, and online resources for assistance.
Start Price
$29
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked Shopify POS

Shopify POS emerges from user reviews as a user-friendly and reliable option for basic POS needs. Its tight integration with the Shopify ecommerce platform syncs inventory and customer data seamlessly, saving time and streamlining operations. Users particularly appreciate the mobile app flexibility for pop-up shops and on-the-go sales, a feature lacking in some competitors like Square. However, Shopify POS's limited free tier and transaction fees for non-Shopify payments might deter smaller businesses. While praised for its ease of use, Shopify POS can feel restrictive for advanced features like gift cards and discounts, requiring more technical know-how compared to Square's intuitive setup. Additionally, while offering themes, Shopify's customization options might not satisfy businesses seeking a truly unique storefront aesthetic, especially when compared to Wix's design freedom. Overall, Shopify POS shines for its user-friendliness, ecommerce integration, and mobile flexibility. However, its pricing structure and learning curve for advanced features might push smaller businesses or those with specific industry needs towards competitors like Square or Wix. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual priorities and business size.

Pros & Cons

  • Simplified Inventory Management: Shopify POS automatically tracks inventory levels, reducing manual updates and preventing overselling. Users reported a 40% decrease in time spent on inventory reconciliation thanks to this feature.
  • Seamless Payment Processing: Accept a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and popular digital wallets, for faster checkouts. This flexibility helps reduce abandoned carts and boosts customer satisfaction.
  • Mobile POS Flexibility: Manage your store from anywhere with the mobile app, ideal for pop-up shops or on-the-go sales. This allows for greater business agility and caters to diverse sales environments.
  • Valuable Sales Insights: Generate detailed reports on sales, product performance, and staff activity to make data-driven decisions. Users highlighted the ability to track individual staff performance as particularly helpful for sales training and staff motivation.
  • Easy Customer Management: Create customer profiles, track purchase history, and offer targeted promotions for improved customer loyalty. This personalization fosters stronger customer relationships and repeat business.
  • Limited Free Tier Options: Access to basic POS features requires at least the Basic Shopify plan, which may not be budget-friendly for small businesses with low transaction volume.
  • Transaction Fees for Non-Shopify Payments: Using third-party payment processors alongside Shopify POS incurs additional transaction fees, potentially outweighing the benefits for low-volume merchants.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic functionality is user-friendly, unlocking advanced features like gift cards or discounts can require extensive setup and troubleshooting, especially for non-technical users.
  • Limited Customization Options: While themes offer some customization, heavily branded businesses may find the Shopify interface lacks flexibility for achieving a truly unique storefront aesthetic.
  • Integration Challenges with Specific Industries: While Shopify integrates with many apps, businesses with specific needs like restaurants or salons may experience limitations or require additional paid integrations.

Key Features

  • Online Inventory: Sell products online from a scalable, fully-featured eCommerce website. Generate purchase orders, categorize products, adjust stocks, transfer inventory, accept returns, process exchanges and access updated information across stores instantly. 
  • Reporting: Use daily reports based on in-store and online business data on a single dashboard. Gain actionable insights into total orders, customer buying patterns, staff performance, inventory sales, returns, taxes, payments and more to make strategic decisions. 
  • Payments: Track credit and debit card payments, accept multiple payment types for a single transaction, sell gift cards, create custom payment options and integrate with third-party payment providers. 
  • Customizations: Responsive and customizable templates are available for the website with varied layouts, colors, fonts, content and more. 
  • Smooth Checkouts: Provide rebates, BOGO discounts, gift card redemption and other offers at the time of checkout using the smart grid that adapts to actions in the cart and avoids manual calculations. Add taxes, create discount codes, set prices and more for a quick checkout experience. 
  • Staff Management: Track staff performance, assign unique PINs, add new employees, attribute commissions, define job functions, send approvals and grant control permission with on-the-go labor management tools. 
  • Marketing: Boost customer retention and improve sales with robust marketing strategies. Use innovative collections to automatically sort products, start Google Ads campaigns, send customer-specific emails, offer exclusive promotions, optimize campaigns and more. 

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All Restaurant Management Software (98 found)

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Erply

by ERPLY
Erply
Erply is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed to streamline operations for retail businesses of all sizes. It offers features like inventory management, sales tracking, customer relationship management, and reporting. While it caters to a broad range, its strengths lie in its affordability, scalability, and ease of use, making it ideal for startups, small businesses, and franchises. Erply boasts a user-friendly interface and mobile accessibility, allowing for quick setup and on-the-go management. Inventory control is a highlight, with features like barcode scanning, purchase orders, and stock level alerts minimizing stockouts and optimizing ordering. Sales tracking and reporting provide valuable insights into customer behavior and product performance, aiding informed decision-making. Compared to similar POS systems, Erply often stands out for its transparent pricing structure, typically starting at a lower monthly fee per user than competitors. However, its feature set might not be as extensive as some enterprise-level solutions. User reviews generally praise its intuitive interface, helpful customer support, and value for money, but some mention limitations in advanced reporting and customization options. Ultimately, Erply's suitability depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize affordability, ease of use, and core POS functionalities, it's a strong contender. However, if you require in-depth reporting or extensive customization, exploring other options might be prudent. Pros Affordable Easy to use Mobile accessible Good inventory control Helpful support Cons Limited reporting Basic customization Not ideal for large enterprises May lack some advanced features Occasional integration issues
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Bindo

by Bindo Labs, Inc
Bindo
Bindo, a cloud-based POS system, caters primarily to small and medium-sized brick-and-mortar retailers. It streamlines operations through features like inventory management, customer profiles, and omnichannel sales. Users praise its intuitive interface, mobile accessibility, and built-in e-commerce functionality. However, concerns exist regarding pricing tiers and limited customization options compared to competitors. Bindo empowers retailers with iPad-based registers, simplifying transactions and offering flexibility. Inventory control helps manage stock levels and automate purchase orders. Customer profiles enable targeted promotions and loyalty programs. Notably, Bindo integrates with online stores, syncing inventory and facilitating online purchases fulfilled from physical stores. Pricing starts at around $79 per month per register, making it competitive for basic needs. However, additional features and functionalities incur extra costs, potentially exceeding competitor offerings for complex businesses. While user-friendly, Bindo's customization might not cater to specific workflows or branding needs. Overall, Bindo's cloud-based approach, omnichannel capabilities, and mobile accessibility make it a strong choice for small and medium retailers seeking a user-friendly POS system. However, pricing considerations and limited customization should be weighed against individual business needs compared to the broader POS landscape. Pros User-friendly interface Mobile accessibility (iPad app) Omnichannel capabilities Inventory management Customer profiles Cons Limited customization Tiered pricing (can get expensive) Not ideal for complex needs Lacks some advanced features Fewer integrations compared to competitors
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Incentivio

by Incentivio
Incentivio
Incentivio offers a comprehensive software solution tailored for restaurant management, focusing on streamlining operations and enhancing customer engagement. This platform is particularly well-suited for restaurant owners and managers seeking to optimize their workflow and improve customer loyalty. The software integrates various functionalities such as online ordering, customer relationship management, and marketing automation, making it a versatile tool for modern eateries. Key benefits include increased operational efficiency, personalized marketing campaigns, and enhanced customer experiences. Popular features encompass loyalty programs, detailed analytics, and seamless integration with existing POS systems. Users often highlight the intuitive interface and robust support as standout aspects. Compared to similar products, Incentivio is praised for its user-friendly design and comprehensive feature set, which collectively contribute to its effectiveness in restaurant management. Pricing for Incentivio typically varies based on the size and specific needs of the restaurant, with options for monthly or annual payments. This flexibility allows establishments to choose a plan that aligns with their budget and operational requirements.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
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Buyer's Guide

Restaurant Management Software Is All About Organizing Business Operations 

Restaurant Management Software BG Intro

Do manual inventory counts take too much time? Facing online order tracking troubles? Need to inform customers about menu changes? Have trouble with manual payment processing? Introducing offers for the holiday season? Restaurant management software is the ideal solution to everyday operational problems and the perfect tool to add fuel to your food business with tech-powered features and time-saving automation. Bars, restaurants, cafes, food trucks, bakeries, pizzerias, food trucks, eateries and other food businesses use it to function. The solution reduces the time spent performing manual tasks, streamlines the ordering process to enhance guest experience and works seamlessly to deliver efficient services.

The restaurant industry has marked a considerable increase in growth over the past decade. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry's output has increased by over 50 percent since 2007, reaching an all-time high of approximately 283 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. Rising customer demand and market competition have created the need for efficient restaurant management backed by next-gen technology. Mainstream restaurant operations require time-saving, cost-effective functionalities to simplify and enhance business services.

Executive Summary

  • Restaurant management software organizes tasks, improves communication, enhances performance, manages finances and simplifies restaurant operations with the help of automation tools and robust integrations.
  • It offers time-saving, productive solutions for online ordering, table management, restaurant POS, inventory tracking, kitchen display system, labor management, loyalty programs, point-based reward system, mobile application, feedback system and customer relationship management.
  • Answer vital questions concerning requirements, the software and the vendor. Include the total budget, must-have features, scalability, support options, subscription plans, updates, customer reviews, integration options and other essential aspects for business growth.
What This Guide Covers:

What Is Restaurant Management Software?

Restaurant management software simplifies and helps complete organizational tasks using technology-backed tools and third-party integrations. Regular restaurant operations require adequate staffing and strategic time management with fewer manual and more technology-based labor. The software assists with payment and billing, table reservation, inventory management, menu setup, workforce regulation, sales tracking, customer relationship management, stock updates, accounting and more.

Comprehensive data insights and detailed reports update users on the business performance. Intuitive tools and user-oriented functionality help save time and automate vital tasks without manual intervention. Determine profit, track revenue, manage employees, analyze sales and review key business aspects on a consolidated dashboard.

A unified online ordering system can accept orders, collect payments, generate offers, run marketing campaigns and enhance the customer experience by catering to specific needs and demands. Guests can make a table reservation from the website to avoid waiting in long lines. A coherent POS system processes secure transactions and completes the billing process without errors. Use the kitchen display system to view orders on a digital screen, assign delivery executives, add instructions, send messages and supervise the ordering process. Track employee attendance, process payrolls, manage holidays and time-off, grant access controls and more with worker management tools. The accounting software tracks sales and profit, manages taxes, reviews accounts, calculates expenditures and stays up to date with business finances.

Save time, boost productivity and run your business with minimal manual intervention. Intuitive features like customer relationship management, marketing tools, social media management, reporting and analytics, POS, labor management and more to streamline restaurant operations and improve business competitiveness. The right software adds fuel to everyday restaurant operations, meets customer expectations and materializes your business plan in full swing.

Primary Benefits

Primary Benefits of Restaurant Management Software

Saves Time and Money

Smart restaurant management software helps you run a successful business with reduced management costs and minimizes time spent on manual labor. Real-time alerts keep you from overstocking inventory, performance reports help assess total revenue and expenditure to manage finances, and automated billing procedures eliminate the need for manual handling of payments. The kitchen display system makes it easier to access the menu, and a user-friendly interface allows customers to enjoy a smooth ordering experience.

Improves Services

The business reporting ability of restaurant management software provides data-backed, comprehensive reports that give you valuable insight into staff performance, inventory sales, profits earned, sales trends and more. Performance data about user-defined business aspects help devise business plans, manage stocks, regulate finances and address crucial issues that hinder business growth. If left alone, these problems are detrimental to the organizational potential.

Refines Customer Experience

A solution helps retain the existing user base and generate new customers. Loyalty programs, campaigns, discounts, promotions and personalized rewards serve as selling points to keep customers happy. It’s easier to offer clients appealing perks and build lasting loyalty based on their personal preferences and buying patterns.

Enhances Security

Keep your data protected from unauthorized breaches, malware, privacy threats and data leaks with enhanced security standards. Effective controls such as user-specific permissions, PCI compliant payments, end-to-end encryption, integrated credit card processing, theft control and other solutions keep data safe and protect against security risks.

Key Features & Functionality

Inventory Management

Oversee current stocks, order status, cost of goods, manage pricing and control inventory movement. Real-time alerts help keep a tab on the movement of goods and complete time-bound actions. Carry out menu changes, insert recipes, keep a check on raw materials, balance stock levels and analyze insightful reports to get a comprehensive overview of product-specific and overall performance.

Customer Relationship Management

Strengthen customer relationships and grow your business by expanding the customer base. Delight guests with personalized discounts, digital gift cards, occasion-based coupons and promo codes. Request feedback to understand and analyze user sentiment and segment customer data to build marketing campaigns based on personal information like purchase history, most-selling items, age, gender, job profile and other personal data. Send customized emails on special occasions, run loyalty offers and build attractive reward programs based on client preferences on an all-in-one platform.

Reporting and Analytics

Access detailed and configurable reports based on actionable data and evaluate the key performance indicators of your business. The KPIs include, sales trends, top-selling items, best-performing employees, sales forecasts, profit and loss statements, menu analytics, marketing campaign metrics and more on a single dashboard. Real-time reports keep you updated with vital business statistics and improve services by navigating loopholes, eliminating futile business practices, monitoring inventory performance, tracking sales and reviewing employee activity.

Employee Management

Maintain a productive workflow with the help of labor management tools to control and oversee crucial workplace activities and manage staff operations. Automated management tools track clock-ins and clock-outs, record daily work, assign tasks, monitor overtime, rotate job functions, grant user permissions, evaluate employee performance, track leave and holidays, process payroll, schedule meetings and help increase efficiency for staff communication.

Accounting

Accounting, payroll and business intelligence software are crucial operations of restaurant. Get financial records for your restaurant and manage key accounting activities on an integrated platform.

Restaurant management software provides tax and credit card reconciliation, translation summary, profit and loss statements, fund allocation details, sales data, payable taxes, financial reporting and more on a secure system. Simplified accounting tools mitigate calculation risks, and powerful automation facilitates a labor-saving workflow.

Delivery

According to the 2022 ??State of the Restaurant Industry report, 54% of adults say “purchasing takeout or delivery food is essential to the way they live.”

The rise in off-premise spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased online ordering. Restaurateurs are bound to offer services that streamline the home delivery process. A Statista report suggests that the online food delivery market should show a revenue growth of 16.6% in 2022.

Restaurant software enables guests to access online menus, include add-ons with orders, give special instructions, track delivery rider movement, rate restaurant services, add tips, make online payments and more. Special discounts, free delivery, tier-based membership, better packaging and special offers help drive sales and increase revenue.

Integrated Payments

PCI-compliant payment options help process secure checkouts and complete transactions with reduced manual labor. According to the 2022 Future of Restaurants report by Square, In fact, 94% of restaurants surveyed say they currently offer contactless payment options.Accept modern methods of payments like credit cards, Apple pay, gift cards, Google Pay, loyalty points, Mastercard, mobile wallet and more. Use integrations to create a smooth payment processing experience.

Software Comparison Strategy

Choosing the right restaurant management software for your business involves plenty of research. While different software offers various intuitive tools and functionalities, your requirements and total budget demand a detailed evaluation. Choose wisely from the restaurant management software ecosystem to improve the guest experience, manage front and back-office operations, improve organizational workflow and increase business performance based on real-time data.

Before making a list of the software available in the market, outline your top capability requirements and industry-specific needs. Top features to consider include, inventory management, reporting and analytics, customer marketing tools, fully integrated payment processing, technical support, cloud-based management, automated tracking, mobile app functionality and employee management. Other crucial factors to consider are offline functionalities, delivery options, customizable reports, third-party integrations and security standards.

Create a comparison chart and study the features offered by each software and shortlist the best options. Then, evaluate the top choices with greater detail and attention to the pricing structure and make the right call.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

Based on your budget and must-have requirements, take these vital factors into account before finalizing your decision. Essential costs to consider include payment processing, POS installation, implementation fees, software updates, payroll management, delivery, customer support, subscription costs, staff training and maintenance. Key hardware requirements include routers, cash drawers, terminals, printers, kiosks, card readers and kitchen display systems.

The Most Popular Restaurant Management Software

Selecting one solution from an ocean of feature-packed restaurant management software to help your business bloom is quite a task. To make the process easier and help you find the best selection, we’ve compiled a list of our top three restaurant management software picks.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a point-of-sale and eCommerce provider that combines intuitive, modern tools and robust functionalities to facilitate smooth business management. It provides POS solutions for retail and restaurant businesses, including inventory management, reporting and analytics, eCommerce, accounting, loyalty programs, secure payments and dynamic integrations. For restaurants, it offers user-friendly functions like tableside ordering, pick-up, delivery and dine-in options, contactless payments, faster checkouts, restaurant layout services and other hospitality essentials.

Lightspeed

A fully-equipped eCommerce website helps retailers sell around the clock.

Erply

Erply is a cloud POS software that offers inventory management technology to retail businesses of all sizes. It provides a comprehensive retail management platform with services including, but not limited to, eCommerce management, email marketing, loyalty program, inventory optimization, forecasting, employee management, barcode scanning, reporting, customer relationship management, secure payments and third-party integrations. Expand your customer base with attractive promotions, manage multi-store operations, view the table layout, print kitchen orders and more on a user-friendly interface to maximize profits and deliver the best service.

Erply

The self-checkout option reduces wait time and drives sales.

NCR Silver

NCR Silver is a point-of-sale software platform that helps businesses receive payments and assists in effective business management with a single POS solution. The cloud-based software is designed for Apple devices, specifically the iPad. Aloha POS, the NCR restaurant POS system, offers a transparent, intuitive platform to drive business growth. Track and review sales, manage inventory, review access reports, manage employees, accept orders, maintain records, send marketing emails and more with the ease of integrated capabilities and intuitive user interface. Insightful analytics help view transactions, analyze profits and carry out vital business operations on a straightforward platform. It offers live support, training and a subscription-based pricing model.

NCR Silver

Efficient hardware solutions help strengthen and simplify business solutions.

 

 

Questions To Ask Yourself

Before striking up a conversation with the vendor, you must prepare questions for what you’re looking for in restaurant management software. After getting a better understanding of the features and specifications required for your business, it’s to look for the ideal solution. Listed below are some questions that may provide clarity:

  • What are my must-have requirements?
  • What is my total budget?
  • Do I need to scale my business in the future?
  • What are my hardware and software requirements?
  • What are my support requirements?
  • What marketing tools do I need?

Restaurant Management Key Questions to Ask

Questions To Ask Vendors

After you have a solid picture of what problems a new restaurant management software can solve and its additional capabilities, making a choice becomes clearer. Mentioned below are some questions you must ask the vendor about the services and software:

About the Software

  • What support options does the software provide?
  • Is the software designed specifically for restaurants?
  • Is the interface user-friendly?
  • How are software updates released?
  • Which types of payments does it support?
  • Does the software provide offline functionalities?
  • Are reporting and analytics included in the software?
  • Does it generate customer reports?
  • Which marketing channels does the software offer?

About the Vendor

  • How often do you update the software, and when was it last updated?
  • Will you be able to provide customer reviews?
  • Do you provide free or paid updates?
  • Is your POS in-house or outsourced?
  • What are your pricing models?
  • What customer support channels do you offer?
  • What is the total cost of ownership?
  • Do you provide customization options?

In Conclusion

Finding the right restaurant management software is a complicated task given the availability of features and corresponding options in the market. With a remarkable boom in modern technology and budding management capabilities, it’s clear a suitable software helps manage restaurant operations and grow the business effectively. It's time you choose the right solution that provides quality software, support and services to revolutionize your business.

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Technical Content Writer
Ishani is a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub who covers LMS, workforce management, telemedicine and POS. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and is passionate about translating complex technical concepts into engaging and accessible content for readers. Along with keeping the professional spirit hydrated, she likes petting dogs, looking up random facts and listening to any Lumineers song on repeat.
Technical Research By Mohit Hariramani
Senior Analyst
Mohit has a degree and Master in Finance from Mumbai, India, his years of professional market research experience started in 2019. His expertise lies in categories such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Facility Management Software (FMS), POS Systems (Point of Sale) and more. Through his academic and professional background, he honed skills in attention to detail, navigating ambiguity, and analytical prowess, which uniquely equip him to manage and thrive in the dynamic landscape of these diverse categories. He's passionate about leveraging his knowledge and experience to contribute effectively to the assigned technology areas.
Technical Review By Kankana Kalita
Principal Analyst
A seasoned business and research analyst, Kankana Kalita specializes in ERP, CMMS, manufacturing, construction, supply chain, HRMS and CRM. Prior to joining SelectHub, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, an MBA in Operations and Marketing, and worked in email marketing and logistics.
Content Editor
As an editor, Dianna Dragonetti leads a team of five writers in writing about a variety of software, with an emphasis on how these tools empower businesses. Categories include accounting, learning management systems, content management systems, supply chain management, and electronic data interchange.