The 22 Best Restaurant Management Software in 2023 and the Features You Need

The Food & Beverage industry is a constantly evolving playing field. Practices that were acceptable just a few years ago are quickly becoming phased out in favor of faster and more efficient methods of operation.

One aspect of restaurant operation that has seen the most change is that of restaurant management software. Every day new systems pop up that are able to do certain tasks in a fraction of the time and with more precision than what was previously achievable.

Key Takeaways

• Restaurant management software can streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Choose software that meets your needs and budget.
• Implement software to automate tasks and streamline operations.
• Train staff and regularly update the software.
• Utilize analytics and integrations for data-driven decisions.
• Ensure data security and privacy.
• Continuously monitor and optimize software use.

For more details, refer to the blog below.

Restaurant management software, when done the right way, is a surefire way to ensure a restaurant’s success.

Whether it be by choosing the best POS system or even an inventory management software that saves you hours of headache, restaurant management software is something that shouldn’t be skimped out on at your restaurant.

Read on to learn about the 16 best restaurant management software in 2023 and the features you need to make sure they get the job.

Looking for specific restaurant management software? Jump there directly.

Restaurant Reservation Software/Table Management System

For restaurants taking reservations, moving from the ‘pen and paper method of restaurant booking to a restaurant reservation system can make an incredible difference.

Using restaurant reservation software not only makes your day-to-day operation immensely easier but also creates a better user experience for your guests.

Rather than answering phones and having to manually enter information, guests can input their own information through a website interface, mobile app, or web widget.

A good restaurant reservation setup will also feature an intuitive table management system.

This allows restaurants to receive bookings through a multitude of channels and also to visualize their restaurant hour by hour.

Useful Features of a good restaurant reservation system

• Reduce no-shows through custom reminders (SMS updates or time-sensitive push notifications)
• Easily make reservations online
• Manage inventory more efficiently
• Restaurant automation to jumpstart efficiency
• Predict the stock needed for upcoming days
• Allows you to allocate a certain number of tables for reservations to prevent overbooking
• Stores guest information to allow for future marketing activities such as emails, or alerts on special occasions (birthdays and anniversaries)

When choosing a reservation system for your restaurant, make sure to find one that fits your daily needs.

A good system should be easy to use and not require hours of training to master. It should also be scalable and not only just fit the current requirements of the restaurant but also the future volume.

It helps if all restaurant information is stored in the cloud rather than on the system itself to create a faster user experience.

Best Restaurant Reservation and Table Management Systems in 2023

Eat App: Complete front-of-house table management system that runs on the web, tablets and all mobile devices. Price: Starts at $0 per month for restaurants that want a basic reservation system with more feature rich packages available at $69, $139 or $239 per month depending on individual restaurant requirements. 

Click here to book your free Eat App consultation in seconds >>

Point of Sale System (POS)

In the past, a good POS system was inexpensive, easy to use, and had one primary function – processing sales and transactions.

Nowadays, POS systems are one the most powerful forms of restaurant management software a restaurant can have at its disposal.

Modern POS systems act as a computer/cash register hybrid, with the ability to process credit card payments, print receipts, display information on a user-friendly screen and operate as a service station.

With advancements in technology, formerly bulky tabletop POS systems are moving towards tablets such as iPads for increased portability.

Features you need from your POS system are:

• Ability to calculate cash for each order entered throughout the day
• Make note of cash in and cash out
• Create sales reports for various periods of time
• Record payment methods of each guest
• Calculate payroll data
• Record check averages daily
• Keep track of sales metrics
• Record and store information on recurring customers

Each POS system is different from the other based on the software, applications, and hardware.

When looking for a new POS system for your restaurant, make sure to do sufficient research based on the restaurant’s wants and needs. Keep in mind most POS companies will allow you to try the system out for free before purchasing.

A few things to consider when choosing a POS system:

• Ease of use: A POS system that requires extensive training might not be the right one for you. This will lead to frustration from not only the employees but also customers who are left waiting for certain transactions to process.
• Price and quality: Make sure you know your business inside and out before purchasing a POS system. A modern system can be very costly and hence it should be able to handle your business volume and individual restaurant specifications to make it a worthwhile purchase.
• Necessary components: In addition to purchasing the software itself, do not forget to get the necessary hardware components. These include parts such as the screen monitor and any portable terminal that is linked to the main unit.
• Data tracking: Your POS system should contain all the programs required for not only the front-of-house calculations but everything related to the back of houses such as inventory reports and financial tracking.

Best POS systems in 2023

Harbortouch: Provides POS software and hardware with no upfront cost and free installations. Price: $89 per month, per terminal.

micros by Oracle: Leader in restaurant POS system worldwide. Price: Set up cost starting from $5,000.

Square POS: Quick set up, and very social media and marketing friendly. Price: $169 for hardware, and 2.75% per transaction.

Revel: Easy to use interface, built-in loyalty, and gift card programs. Price: Around $139/month depending on restaurant size.

Food Costing Software

As a restaurant operator, the number one priority is to ensure profitability. In the scope of a restaurant, the primary source of revenue is the food itself, and hence it’s important to know the food cost of each menu item.

Food costing software facilitates the entire process by automating all calculations. A good food costing software will help keep track of your inventory in addition to providing detailed analytics for each dish.

Must-have features from your food costing software

• Understand profit margins for each dish to assess the profitability
• Highlight the money-making dishes to increase demand
• Takes labor cost and fixed costs into consideration
• Allows you to experiment with different price points to achieve maximum profitability

Best Food Costing Software in 2023

FoodCo: Fully integrates into your existing accounting software. Intuitive controls make for easy use. Price: Starting at $4,000.

CostBrain: Real-time food costing, allowing you to scan invoices directly. Price: From $0-$40 depending on the plan.

Alternatively, download this free food cost calculator excel sheet.

Inventory Management Software

A proper inventory management system gives restaurant operators a crystal clear image of the current state of their inventory.

This eliminates the need for regular inventory checks, which in turn reduces the number of human errors involved.

With software automating the process, restaurants have more time to focus on running their business rather than completing menial tasks and are guaranteed the right stock at the right time.

Must-have inventory management software features

• Improves the accuracy of inventory orders (Never overstock or understock)
• Help keep the business organized
• Saves time by automating the inventory process
• Saves money by providing insight into which products are selling and which aren’t
• Can be integrated with POS and accounting software

When choosing an inventory management system, it is important to have a budget in mind as some products can be incredibly costly but unnecessary for your size restaurant.

It is also essential to understand the inventory challenges you face in your restaurant before making a decision.

Best inventory management software in 2023

SimpleOrder: Exports directly into accounting software. Helps control food costs. Price: $19 or $65 per month.

Orca: POS compatibility and financial tracking. Price: $129/ month.

WISK: An all-in-one liquor inventory app. It Helps restaurant managers organize and order bottles more efficiently. Price: Starting at $124/ month. 

Waitlist Software

If you are running a popular restaurant, or just having a busy night, then you know the importance of implementing a waitlist system.

Waitlist software allows restaurant operators to quickly add guests onto a waiting list when a restaurant is full, which are then alerted when a table frees up.

This is achieved through either a portable buzzer that the guest carries or with more modern waitlist systems, an SMS is sent when a table is ready.

Must-have Features in your waitlist software:

• Automate the waitlist process
• Gain insight into your client base
• Quick SMS functionality to send alerts to guests

Best waitlist software in 2023

WaitWhile: Create a waitlist from anywhere and inform guests through SMS updates. Create check-in stations to allow guests to sign themselves in. Price: From $0-$149/month depending on restaurant volume.

Queupad: Can handle multiple waitlists, no internet needed. Price: Free

Waitlisted: Integrates with a multitude of other services. Allows guests to refer friends to move up the line. Price: $60/year.

Restaurant Accounting Software

Running a restaurant can be one of the most exciting and rewarding endeavors, but this will come at a price.

It is easy to overlook one of the most important elements of restaurant operation – restaurant accounting. Without proper accounting practices set in place, restaurants are destined to fail.

But what do you do if your budget doesn’t allow you to hire a restaurant accountant?

Restaurant accounting software is often cheap (sometimes even free) and easy to learn how to use. In no time you’ll be balancing your books like a pro.

Must-have restaurant accounting software features

• Gives you real-time insights into your restaurant’s finances
• Shows you both accounts payable and receivable
• Can connect with other restaurant software (POS and payroll system)
• Can be accessed easily from wherever you are

Best restaurant accounting software in 2023

Zipbooks: Perfect for small business owners, customizable emails and invoices. Price: Free

QuickBooks: Accessible anytime on any device, has the ability to create accounting reports. Price: Starting from $5 per month (1-month free trial)

Cash Flow Management Software

In the restaurant industry cash is king and to keep a steady flow of money coming in to balance the money going out, you are going to need to manage your cash flow.

Just being profitable is not enough for a small restaurant, you’re going to need the right cash flow to make that a reality.

Despite it being one of the most important aspects of financial business stability, it’s often the first element restaurant owners overlook in favor of other business offerings.

If this is the case at your restaurant, find out how you can easily get your cash flow managed by using affordable cash flow management software.

Must-have cash flow management software features

• Multiple cash flow views to monitor flow on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis
• Ability to connect to your accounting software for seamless viewing of data
• Project future cash flow
• Export data to process externally

Best cash flow management software in 2023

Pulse: All in one cash flow solution, connects to QuickBooks. Price: Starting from $30 per month (1-month free trial)

Online Ordering Software

In the post-Covid world, restaurants are needing to rely on online ordering software more than ever. With restrictions preventing regulars from visiting their favorite establishments, it’s important to offer easy to use alternatives that still allow your guests to enjoy your offerings. 

As a result of the shift in consumer preferences, we’ve seen more online ordering software providers pop up that challenge the conventional approach to online ordering with all-in-one systems. 

If you’re struggling to get customers through the door in 2023, it might be time to think about online ordering software at your restaurant. 

Must-have online ordering software features

• Website ordering

• Loyalty program

• Integrated marketing

• Order management

• POS integration

• Payment integration

Best online ordering software in 2023

UpMenu: A to z online ordering system with built in loyalty, restaurant website builder and branded restaurant apps. Price: Starting from $49 per month (7-day free trial)

Restaurant Analytics Software

Restaurant efficiency is the main driver of profitability in your business. Restaurant analytics software will help you identify different opportunities to improve efficiency.

Whether your goal is to sell more, improve employee productivity, cut costs, or even reduce fraud and deter theft, analytics software will allow you to deep dive into your restaurant to see all aspects of operations.

Important restaurant analytics software features:

• Creates a custom profile for each guest to help you understand your clientele
• Better understand your menu and make decisions based on the data
• Know what each server is doing and how well they are doing it

Best restaurant analytics software in 2023

Fishbowl: Econometric pricing, menu optimization, competitor auditing. Price: On request

Restaurant Menu Building Software

A well thought out menu is one of the most crucial elements of any restaurant. Without a menu there is no way for customers to know what they can order and at what price. It is essential though to have a menu that not only follows menu engineering best practices, but also accurately reflects the personality of the restaurant.

What do you do if you don’t have any restaurant menu design experience and can’t afford to hire a professional designer? Lucky for you, the internet is full of both paid and free online restaurant menu makers that can easily do the job for you. 

Important restaurant menu building software features

• Drag & drop menu builder

• Support for daily menus

• Fully customizable

• Promote special offers

• Support for QR code menu

Best restaurant menu building software in 2023

iMenuPro: Online menu maker that lets you instantly create your restaurant menus like a pro. Price: Starting at $9.75 per month.

Restaurant PMS Integration Software

It is simple to see how every facet of your operations contributes to your success whether you own a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or any other type of lodging property. Guests are checked in and out quickly with a well-run front desk. Cleanliness and comfort are maintained in rooms by a competent housekeeping staff. Travelers can make reservations without issue thanks to a well-designed online booking agent. But just because you know how each of these components interacts with the others to enhance the guest experience doesn’t mean the software you use to automate them does, too.

Your property management system (PMS) may be operating effectively enough to maintain the efficiency of your daily operations, but unless you integrate it with other tools, you won’t be getting the full benefit. Information is automatically shared between systems when a PMS is integrated, saving you time and removing problematic redundancies. 

Important Restaurant PMS Integration Software features

• Two-way communication between your PMS and your integration software
• Your integration collects key information about your guest: stay duration, number of guests, room number and any special tags assigned on your PMS
• Easy-to-use guest facing interface. Important to consider if you are integrating with booking channel and want to maintain the guest experience

Best restaurant PMS integration software in 2023

Cloudbeds: This platform has over 500 third-party digital tool integrations in addition to end-to-end reservation management and accounting capabilities. The extensive list includes well-known programs like Google Docs, MailChimp and Salesforce.

Eat App: Utilize Eat App’s PMS integration to address some of the most significant issues facing hoteliers. To give your guests the most memorable experiences possible, cut down on time spent on administrative tasks and connect the customer journey’s from check-in to check-out.

Additional Restaurant Management Systems

Employee Management System

A simple solution to managing employees that take into consideration everything from payslips to requesting time off. Allows restaurant owners to ditch the old-fashioned excel or paper-based method in favor of a faster and most likely cloud-based service.

Customer Satisfaction Software

Allows restaurant owners to get valuable information from guests which in turn will help make strategic decisions to increase customer satisfaction.

Customer Loyalty Software

Gives guests an incentive to return to your establishment by providing them with discounts and free meals after a certain number of visits. It also helps boost the restaurant’s reputation through word of mouth.