What is Restaurant Management Software?

Restaurant management software (RMS) is an enterprise resource planning software that centralizes key operations like inventory management and table management into a single platform. Centralizing these tools saves time and minimizes errors, ensuring smooth daily operations so you can focus on improving customer experiences.

Top 6 Restaurant Management Software

The right RMS can boost your establishment’s efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and streamline operations. But which systems are worth the investment? We evaluated multiple RMS options on the market and found that these six are some of the best. Here’s what sets each one apart:

1. Toast POS

Toast POS is an all-in-one cloud-based restaurant POS system with multiple features, such as digital order tracking and inventory management. One of its more important core features is tableside ordering, allowing your servers to take orders and process payments directly at the table. It also has seamless menu customization so you can update your menu offerings for guests in real-time.

2. MarketMan

MarketMan can help you keep your costs in check for robust inventory management and seamless supplier integrations. This RMS lets you track your inventory levels in real-time, manage purchasing budgets, and streamline your supplier orders, giving you more insights into costs for ingredients and areas for waste reduction. It’s a must-have for restaurants that need to work on smarter purchasing and inventory control.

3. TouchBistro

TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS system with CRM tools for staff and order management, tableside transactions, and guest engagement. Besides seamless integration with popular platforms such as Xero and DoorDash, TouchBistro provides detailed analytics and easy-to-use tools for reporting to help you save time and money.

4. 7shifts

If you’re having trouble managing employee schedules, consider 7shifts. This team management platform simplifies creating staff schedules using your team’s availability, reducing scheduling conflicts and improving team communication. It also has an auto-clockout feature, automatically detects overtime hours, and keeps records of schedule changes, making it easier for you and your staff to manage time efficiently.

5. Lightspeed Restaurant

Lightspeed Restaurant stands out because of its customizable floor plans if you work best with a more visual interface. This feature can be used to reflect the actual layout of your restaurant or organize your tables into different groups for better, faster service. It also has advanced reporting so you get simple, customizable metrics with detailed information on your restaurant’s performance over a custom period.

6. HotSchedules

Are you worried about communication with your employees on busy days? HotSchedules has excellent scheduling and compliance tracking features that make it easy to manage shifts, swap schedules, and even note an employee’s tenure or required skill level for task assignments. It also has a mobile app that helps managers and staff stay connected even when in the weeds.

Why Do Restaurants Need a Restaurant Management Tool?

Hotel operations are a constant cycle of juggling multiple processes and ensuring they’re streamlined. While this can be done manually, it takes time, money, and manpower. Here’s why you should implement a restaurant management tool:  

• Efficiency: An RMS improves operational efficiency by integrating various functions such as order processing and staff scheduling. This leads to faster service and better coordination between your front-of-house and back-of-house staff, reducing wait times and improving table turnover.

• Cost Savings: Restaurants can significantly reduce food waste and improve cost management by using an RMS for inventory tracking and procurement processes. A centralized system will give you more oversight over which items need to be cut and where to increase spending, enabling you to make more informed decisions and eventually increase profits.

• Improved Customer Experience: An RMS can have features like online reservations, loyalty programs, and personalized ordering options that can greatly improve a diner’s experience. Customers enjoy benefits like greater order accuracy and reduced wait time, which encourages them to become repeat customers and loyal patrons.

Key Features to Consider in a Restaurant Management System

Here are some key features to look for and consider when choosing restaurant management software:

• Inventory tracking: This feature helps managers monitor restaurant stock levels and track ingredient usage to reduce waste. Effective, easy-to-use inventory tracking features will help you ensure that menu bestsellers are constantly available while minimizing losses due to spoilage or overstocking.

• Employee scheduling: A top-notch RMS should have tools for creating and managing employee schedules efficiently. This will allow managers to track labor costs, assign shifts, and always ensure adequate staff during peak hours.

• Point-of-sale (POS) integration: Having seamless POS integration provides you with immediate updates on inventory levels and sales data, which will reduce mistakes and improve overall customer experience.

• Reporting and analytics: Advanced reporting tools can help restaurant managers analyze sales, inventory, and labor costs and use that data to make smarter choices. Consider getting an RMS with comprehensive analytics to help you optimize your restaurant’s menu offerings and monitor metrics like food costs and revenue to improve profitability.

How to Choose the Right Restaurant Management Solution

Not all restaurants are alike – what works for a more intimate, fine dining establishment may not help in a fast casual or family-style place. Choosing an RMS that truly fits your restaurant starts with considering several factors like budget, restaurant size, and operational needs. Here are key steps to help you pick the right one:

• Understanding your business needs and goals: Identify your restaurant's unique challenges. Consider essential features like inventory tracking, employee scheduling, and POS integration. Does your restaurant take reservations? Do you need reporting and analytics to track your restaurant’s performance more closely? Assessing these requirements will help you narrow down your choices.

• Evaluate your options: Look for providers with a proven track record in the industry. Evaluate their features, user interface, scalability, pricing models, and customer reviews to develop a shortlist.

• Look at security and data protection: Because an RMS handles sensitive customer data and financial information, ensure that your chosen system prioritizes security measures like regular backups and data encryption.

• Consider integration: Consider the other systems you use, such as third-party delivery services and accounting software. Smooth data flow between your RMS and these other systems is essential to efficient operations.

• Assess training and support: Implementing a new RMS will require staff training and ongoing support. Check the training resources offered by the RMS provider, such as online tutorials or even on-site sessions. Look for an RMS with a regularly available, helpful customer support team for troubleshooting.

Final Verdict: What is the Best Software for Restaurant Management?

The best RMS for your establishment depends on your unique needs and budget. If fixing your staff shifts is a high priority, try 7shifts or HotSchedules to easily organize your team and keep your restaurant well-staffed at all times. But if you’re concerned about slow table turnover or service efficiency, use Toast POS or TouchBistro to speed up orders.

No matter which features are a must on your list, getting an RMS will vastly improve how you run your restaurant. Dig a little deeper into the six options we’ve reviewed above and see if one is the right fit for your operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Restaurant Management Software Track Food Waste?

Yes, restaurant management software helps track food waste by providing tools for inventory management. They can monitor things like spoilage rate and ingredient usage, helping you identify patterns in food waste.

By analyzing the information provided by RMS inventory management, you can adjust purchasing practices and menu offerings to minimize excess. This will improve your restaurant’s profitability and contribute to any sustainability efforts.

Is Cloud-Based Restaurant Management Software Better Than On-Premise?

Yes, cloud-based restaurant management software is better than on-premise solutions. It has greater accessibility, so you can access the system from any device connected to the Internet, which is especially useful for multi-location operations.

Cloud-based systems also typically have lower upfront costs and need less maintenance, as updates and security measures are usually managed by the RMS provider. While on-premise solutions give you more control over data, they typically have higher initial investments and need dedicated IT support.

Is Training Required to Use Restaurant Management Software?

Yes, training is generally required to use any RMS effectively. Many systems are designed with user-friendly interfaces, but staff will still need guidance for navigating features, understanding system workflows, and using reporting tools. Proper training ensures that your staff will make the most of an RMS’ capabilities, improving operational efficiency and overall performance.