Building the Optimal Restaurant Technology Stack
In today's fast-paced restaurant industry, leveraging the right technology stack is critical to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. The optimal restaurant tech stack consists of various software solutions designed to manage different aspects of a restaurant's business, from order management to accounting. Below, we explore key categories that every restaurant should consider when building their tech ecosystem.
Restaurant Tech stack Ecosystem
To help restaurant operators navigate the complex landscape of technology solutions, we have created a Restaurant Tech Stack Ecosystem. This ecosystem highlights the top-performing companies across various categories in the restaurant technology space. The companies featured were extracted from G2.com based on the highest rankings according to their G2 Score, ensuring that only the most trusted and highly rated solutions are included.
By leveraging these top-rated tools, restaurant owners and operators can optimize their operations, streamline processes, and enhance overall efficiency in areas such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, accounting software, inventory management, and customer engagement platforms. This Restaurant Tech Ecosystem serves as a valuable reference for making informed decisions when selecting technology partners.
Restaurant Teck Stack by Over Easy Office
Cloud Kitchen Management Software
Cloud kitchen management software is essential for dark kitchens or ghost kitchens that focus solely on delivery operations. These solutions aggregate orders from multiple sources, optimize kitchen workflows, and provide real-time data insights. With integration capabilities for payment platforms and delivery software, cloud kitchen management tools ensure seamless operations and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Key features include:
Aggregating food orders from third-party services, websites, and call centers.
Monitoring inventory and sales data for performance analysis.
Tracking food orders from preparation to delivery.
Integration with payment and delivery applications.
Top Companies:
Restroworks: A global cloud-based restaurant management software providing solutions for front and back-of-house operations.
Foodics: An all-in-one POS and management solution with third-party integrations, financial services, and analytics.
UrbanPiper: Provides white-labeled websites and apps with an intuitive dashboard for managing online sales.
Apicbase: A comprehensive F&B management platform centralizing inventory, procurement, and analytics.
DeOnDe for Business: Provides restaurants with an affordable, easy-to-use platform to launch their own online ordering and delivery app.
Restaurant Business Intelligence & Analytics Software
Business intelligence software provides restaurant owners with valuable insights into their business performance through data visualization and analysis. By consolidating data from various sources such as POS systems, inventory management, and accounting software, these tools enable data-driven decision-making.
Key features include:
Generating detailed reports and analytics using restaurant data.
Importing data from various restaurant software platforms.
Providing restaurant-specific insights such as menu analysis and recipe costing.
Integration with POS, accounting, and inventory management systems.
Top Companies:
Supy: A supplier management platform that enhances restaurant operations by streamlining procurement processes, tracking supplier performance, and providing analytics to reduce costs and inefficiencies.
Bikky: A guest data platform that consolidates information from delivery apps, POS systems, and marketing tools, providing actionable insights to improve customer retention and marketing ROI.
Avero: Specializes in restaurant analytics with tools for revenue and labor optimization.
MarginEdge: Offers real-time cost tracking and forecasting capabilities.
Fourth: A workforce and inventory optimization platform with predictive analytics.
Bloom Intelligence: A guest data and marketing analytics platform that leverages Wi-Fi and customer data to provide insights into guest behavior, loyalty, and engagement for better marketing strategies.
Restaurant Inventory Management Software
Effective inventory management is crucial to controlling food costs and reducing waste. Restaurant inventory management software tracks stock levels, automates purchase orders, and digitizes purchasing records for easier bookkeeping.
Key features include:
Maintaining up-to-date inventory records.
Digitizing invoices and receipts.
Tracking ingredient costs against revenue.
Organizing supplier information and purchase history.
Top Companies:
MarketMan: A cloud-based inventory and purchasing system for restaurant operators.
Craftable: Integrates inventory management with purchasing and sales analytics.
xtraCHEF: Automates invoice processing and food cost tracking, contributing to better Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) management for restaurants.
Backbar: A solution for restaurants and bars to manage inventory, place orders, track history, and train staff on menu offerings.
BevSpot: Helps the food and beverage industry make data-driven decisions with technology for better business management.
COGS-Well: Provides inventory control, recipe management, and menu analysis, with easy implementation and minimal maintenance.
Special Mention:
Meez: We are including Meez as an honorable mention due to its design to simplify recipe management, inventory tracking, and cost control, providing a seamless experience for culinary teams.
Restaurant Management Software
Restaurant management software offers an all-in-one solution for overseeing front and back-of-house operations. These systems provide tools to manage inventory, payroll, accounting, and employee performance across multiple locations.
Key features include:
Inventory management, order processing, and payroll tracking.
Employee scheduling and onboarding.
Comprehensive reporting and analytics.
Integration with POS and accounting software.
Top Companies:
Restaurant365: A comprehensive accounting solution designed specifically for restaurants.
Crunchtime: A powerful back-office operations platform for restaurants, focusing on inventory, workforce, and supply chain management to help optimize costs and streamline operations.
OpenTable for Restaurants: A restaurant reservation and guest management platform, providing tools for table management, customer relationship insights, and seamless integration with other management systems.
Connecteam: A versatile employee management app designed for deskless workers, offering scheduling, task management, training tools, and internal communication features tailored for the hospitality industry.
Petpooja: A POS and restaurant management system widely used in India, featuring inventory management, billing solutions, and integrations to manage online orders and third-party delivery services.
Toast: A restaurant management system with built-in payroll and employee management features.
Lightspeed: Offers cloud-based solutions for managing multiple locations.
Square for Restaurants: Provides end-to-end management tools for restaurant operations.
If you opted for Restaurant365 (R365), avoiding common mistakes during the R365 implementation can help restaurants optimize their workflows and improve financial accuracy.
Restaurant POS Systems
A restaurant point-of-sale (POS) system is the backbone of daily operations, helping staff take orders, process payments, and manage table service efficiently. Modern POS systems also provide advanced features such as menu management, inventory tracking, and analytics.
Key features include:
Order entry and payment processing.
Secure data access to protect customer information.
Integration with other restaurant systems.
Reporting capabilities for tracking sales trends.
Top Companies
SpotOn: A robust restaurant management platform offering POS systems, reservation management, and marketing tools, designed to streamline operations and enhance customer experience.Toast: A comprehensive restaurant POS system with online ordering and delivery capabilities.
Square for Restaurants: A flexible POS solution with payment processing and team management features.
Clover: Provides scalable POS solutions for restaurants of all sizes.
Lightspeed: A cloud-based POS system with robust inventory management and analytics.
Revel Systems: Offers an iPad-based POS solution with extensive customization options.
Aloha Cloud By NCR Voyix: A cloud-based POS and restaurant management system that integrates seamlessly with payment processing, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs.
Honorable Mention:
GoTab: A flexible restaurant management solution focusing on contactless ordering, payment, and guest communication, ideal for improving customer convenience and operational efficiency.
Talking about POS Systems, learn more about the 6 essential POS features to keep your restaurant thriving and how they can impact day-to-day efficiency.
Restaurant Scheduling Software
Scheduling software simplifies workforce management by automating shift planning and communication. These tools allow managers to create schedules, track employee hours, and send updates in real time.
Key features include:
Calendar-based employee scheduling.
Shift tracking and clock-in/clock-out functionality.
Communication tools for notifying staff of schedule changes.
Integration with payroll and HR systems.
Top Companies:
7shifts: A restaurant-focused scheduling tool with labor optimization features.
Harri: An end-to-end workforce management platform offering scheduling, applicant tracking, and onboarding tailored for the hospitality industry.
Jolt: A comprehensive operations management tool that combines scheduling, task management, and employee accountability features, ideal for multi-location restaurants.
Schedulefly: A simple, user-friendly scheduling software for independent restaurants.
HotSchedules: Provides employee scheduling, labor management, and communications tools.
Homebase: Offers free employee scheduling and team communication tools.
Tip Distribution Software
Tip distribution software automates the process of fairly distributing tips among restaurant staff based on hours worked and roles performed. These solutions minimize errors and ensure transparency.
Key features include:
Automatic calculation and distribution of tips.
Integration with POS and payroll systems.
Secure bank transfers for employees.
Multi-location management capabilities.
Top Companies:
TipHaus: Automates tip distribution and enhances transparency.
Kickfin: A real-time digital tipping solution.
Accounting Software
Accounting software is essential for managing financial transactions, cash flows, and compliance. These systems streamline accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and financial reporting.
Key features include:
Automated bookkeeping and reconciliation.
Financial reporting and tax preparation.
Budget forecasting and expense tracking.
Integration with restaurant management systems.
Top Companies:
NetSuite: A robust ERP solution with restaurant-focused accounting modules.
Sage Intacct: A cloud-based accounting software designed for growing businesses, offering strong financial reporting and automation capabilities.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: An all-in-one business management solution with integrated accounting features, ideal for businesses needing CRM and operations management alongside financials.
QuickBooks: A widely used accounting software with restaurant-specific features.
Xero: A cloud-based accounting platform with easy integrations.
If you opted for QuickBooks, many restaurants benefit from expanding their accounting capabilities with top QuickBooks add-ons that enhance efficiency in expense tracking and financial performance.
Special mention:
Restaurant365: While primarily a comprehensive restaurant management system, Restaurant365 deserves recognition here for its robust accounting module tailored specifically to the needs of restaurants.
Conclusion
Building the right restaurant technology stack is just the first step. To truly maximize your investment, you need the right people to manage it effectively. That’s where Over Easy Office (OEO) comes in.
Our restaurant-trained talent can help you get the most out of your tech stack by handling data entry, bookkeeping, inventory management, and onboarding tasks. We work with leading platforms like Restaurant365, QuickBooks, and Toast to keep your operations running smoothly while you focus on delivering an exceptional dining experience. Contact us today to add trained staff to your operation.