The rapid transformation of the Food & Beverage sector is spurring the implementation of restaurant management software. The surveys indicate that the restaurant management systems market reached a value of $4.08 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow at a 15.8% annual rate by 2030.
According to the recent State of Restaurant Tech report, 75% of restaurant owners plan to invest in apps for restaurant management in 2023 in order to boost business efficiency to battle rising food and labor costs.
In this blog post, we will list the various categories of restaurant management applications and delve into the fundamentals of developing restaurant software.
But before we dive in, let’s establish a precise definition of a restaurant management system and examine why its utilization simplifies and improves restaurant operations.
A closer look at restaurant management software
A restaurant management system (RMS) is an application built to automate various operational facets of a diner, bistro, cafe, fast-food outlet, or eatery. It aids owners and managers in the efficient execution of their daily duties, delivers better customer experience, and upgrades general business performance.
Restaurant technology solutions, like RMSs, are instrumental in enhancing efficiency, minimizing errors, elevating client satisfaction, and ultimately increasing profits. These tools provide the means to effectively automate the numerous facets of running a restaurant. The capabilities may vary based on the application provider and the requirements of a particular food and beverage company.
For example, an RMS may empower cafes, diners, and eateries to monitor reservations, assign seats, prevent overbooking, and make sure the available space was utilized effectively.
Other solutions facilitate shift scheduling, attendance monitoring, and performance appraisal. Certain systems even oversee payroll and tip distribution. Moreover, RMS tools adeptly handle bookings made via various channels, be it online or via phone, and successfully manage a waitlist for walk-in clients. This optimization guarantees swift table turnover and minimal wait times.
Workers can access visual dashboards with analytical insights pertaining to various business processes. This invaluable information aids in making well-informed decisions and optimizing operations.
Now that you have a solid understanding of what a restaurant management system is, we will list some of the fundamental characteristics of RMS tools. But first, let’s give a brief overview of their advantages.
Uncovering the pros of a restaurant management system
It’s no secret that digital restaurant management solutions can deliver significant business advantages. Here are some of their primary benefits:
Optimization
Restaurant management software optimizes various facets of operations, such as order fulfillment, supplies supervision, and table reservations.
Excellent service
By controlling table reservations and waitlists, you can provide a superior client experience by minimizing wait times and ensuring a smoother dining experience.
Avoiding inaccuracies
Integrated POS (Point of Sale) systems minimize inaccuracies, guaranteeing that customers receive the correct orders and bills.
Stock tracking
Restaurant software solutions facilitate the instant tracking of supplies, minimizing food wastage and ensuring optimal stock levels. This translates to cost savings and reduced losses.
Expense monitoring
Precisely monitor expenses, including labor costs, ingredient expenses, and other overheads. This empowers better cost control and budget optimization.
Menu updates
Effortlessly update menus, introduce seasonal items, or remove discontinued dishes. This adaptability keeps the menu fresh and appealing to visitors.
Analytics
Powerful reporting and analytical instruments offer valuable perspectives into sales trends, customer inclinations, and crucial data. These observations serve as the foundation for well-informed business choices.
Employee supervision
Software for restaurant management efficiently handles staff schedules, monitors work hours, and calculates payroll, simplifying HR responsibilities.
Customer loyalty programs
Many apps offer controls for establishing and administering loyalty programs, fostering customer retention and repeat visits.
Internet ordering and delivery
Modern RMS apps seamlessly integrate with online ordering platforms and processing systems, streamlining the delivery process.
Legal requirements
Provide compliance with health, safety, and taxing regulations. The processes are automated to eliminate the risk of non-compliance.
Security
These applications safeguard customer details and payment information with secure payment processing solutions, minimizing the risk of data breaches.
Scalability
As your business expands, the software can scale accordingly, accommodating more requests, tables, and staff.
Marketing and promotions
Utilize customer data and insights to execute targeted marketing campaigns and promotions, increasing client engagement and sales.
Customer feedback
Collect and analyze customer feedback to pinpoint areas for improvement and enhance overall client satisfaction.
Time savings
Automation of tasks and reduction of manual entry liberates staff to concentrate on delivering exceptional service and enhancing other aspects of the operations.
RMS software is an invaluable resource for owners and operators looking for ways to improve restaurant management. Not only does it boost efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service quality but also equips companies the tools to remain competitive in a dynamic industry. The benefits of a restaurant management system include enhanced adaptability to shifting client preferences and market trends.
Explore our expertise in restaurants app development
Looking to develop restaurant management system that would boost your restaurant operations and sales? Discover how we at Eastern Peak can help you reach your goals with our professional software development services.
Solutions for running a restaurant: A comprehensive overview
There are several types of software for running a restaurant, each serving specific purposes within the industry.
Here is a list of some existing types:
1. Table management
Restaurant table management software helps food outlets efficiently manage reservations and table assignments. The software capabilities include online and phone reservations, waitlist management, and may even contain guest profiles with info on dietary restrictions and seating preferences. Such apps may also include CRM integrations for analytics and insights.
Popular options are OpenTable, Resy, and EatApp.
2. Restaurant Point of Sale software
POS systems tailored for restaurant operations are indispensable tools that manage a multitude of tasks associated with order handling, processing of payments, and the overall functioning of a business. These apps are equipped with an extensive array of functions for overseeing orders, tables, menus, and supplies.
Restaurant POS software encompasses capabilities to simplify staff supervision and provide comprehensive reporting and analytics. Additionally, these tools may offer the option to implement self-ordering kiosks, enabling visitors to independently place their requests.
Examples include Toast, Square, Revel and Harbourtouch.
3. Waitlist software
Waitlist management software for restaurants is a valuable resource that effectively manages waitlists, maximizes table turnover, and elevates the overall quality of the guest experience. These applications for restaurant reservation control encompass an array of functionalities, including the establishment and upkeep of digital waitlists for customers anticipating a table.
Furthermore, they gather crucial guest details like party size and special requests, all the while delivering precise wait time estimates derived from table availability and turnover rates.
Notable examples are WaitWhile and Queupad.
4. Internet ordering
Online ordering software is specifically created to manage the procedure of receiving and overseeing orders made via different online avenues. These channels encompass the restaurant’s own website, mobile application, and third-party delivery platforms.
These software applications offer functions for placing and overseeing requests, notifying customers about the status of their orders, gathering feedback and reviews, and seamlessly synchronizing with the restaurant’s Point of Sale software. Furthermore, such software is capable of efficiently working with multiple restaurant locations through a centralized nexus.
Examples are ChowNow, DoorDash, and Upmenu.
5. Food costing
Food costing software is a specialized tool employed within the food and beverage industry to compute and oversee the expenses related to the preparation and serving of food and beverages in various food service establishments, ranging from cafes to catering companies.
This software serves as a valuable resource for owners, chefs, and managers, enabling them to scrutinize and govern their expenditures, fine-tune menu pricing, and enhance overall profitability. Some prevalent features encompass the tracking of ingredient costs, the handling of recipes, in-depth menu analysis, menu engineering, and the provision of allergen and nutrition information.
Additionally, this software often includes capabilities for effectively handling supplier data, monitoring deliveries, and comparing supplier prices to identify cost-efficient options.
Examples include: ChefTec, MarginEdge, and Parsley.
6. Stock control
Inventory management software for restaurants serves as a crucial tool in the effective monitoring and governance of stock, encompassing items such as food, beverages, supplies, and various other resources. These solutions play a pivotal role in helping simplify operations, curtail wastage, avoid shortages, and fine-tune stock-related expenses.
Key characteristics of restaurant inventory software comprise real-time monitoring of stock levels, oversight of supplies and vendors, control over purchase requests, barcode scanning and labeling, management of stock rotations, alerts for low stock levels, monitoring and analysis of waste and spoilage, and the utilization of historical data to predict future requirements and optimize the ordering process.
Examples encompass Orca, Toast Inventory, and MarketMan.
7. Accounting instruments
This type of software is designed to help owners efficiently monitor and control their finances, track expenses, and ensure compliance with tax regulations. Common functionalities include general ledger administration, managing accounts, spendings and income tracking, financial reporting, payroll, and tax management.
These apps integrate with POS systems, monitor cash and credit card cost flow, and assist with forecasting and budgeting.
Notable options include Quickbooks and Zipbooks.
8. Rewards program administration
Customer loyalty program software for restaurants is created to assist companies in building strong, lasting relationships with their customers by offering incentives, rewards, and personalized experiences. These software solutions come with a range of features such as member profiles, point accumulation, tiered loyalty levels, customization of rewards and benefits, purchase tracking and referral programs, etc.
Examples include Belly and FiveStars.
9. Restaurant analytics software
These are potent instruments that enable users to make informed decisions, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency, as well as client experiences and profitability. These platforms gather, analyze, and visualize information from various sources, providing valuable insights including sales analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting capabilities.
They may also work in sync with the point-of-sale (POS) system to capture transaction information on the go and analyze long-term traits in customer behavior.
The options include CrunchTime, and Fishbowl.
10. Restaurant menu-building tool sets
Restaurant menu software offers an array of capabilities to aid in creating, designing, and managing menus effectively. These features are designed to streamline the menu creation process, enhance the visual appeal of menus, and provide flexibility for customization. The functionalities include a drag-and-drop editor, template and image library, and a range of customization tools.
Options include MenuDrive, and iMenuPro.
11. HR systems
Employee management software for restaurants is intended to simplify various HR and workforce-related tasks specific to the food service industry. These tools help managers efficiently manage their staff, schedules, payroll, and other HR processes.
The functionalities include scheduling, shift control time, attendance tracking, payroll integrations, performance evaluation, task and workflow monitoring, etc. They also integrate with restaurant payroll management platforms to perform salary and wage calculations, tax deductions, and direct deposit payments.
Examples are 7shifts, Deputy, and When I Work.
12. Sales scheduling and forecasting
Sales forecasting software for restaurants is designed to help predict future sales accurately based on historical data, trends, and various factors affecting business performance. These tools provide valuable insights for effective planning, staffing, and stock control. Popular functionalities include data integration and historical data analysis, customizable forecasting models, and real-time updates.
Some notable examples include Altametrics and Lineup.
How to create restaurant software?
Building an RMS involves several steps, from planning and design to development and testing.
Here’s a simplified overview to help you understand how to develop a software solution for restaurants.
- Do market research – Research existing applications to understand their characteristics and identify gaps that your system can fill. Determine your target audience and market niche.
- Decide on the system type – Using the guide above, determine the type of system you need. Clearly focus on your business goals and objectives to decide on the right type of digital platform for your RMS system.
- Decide on the features – Clearly define the objectives and requirements of your RMS. Identify what functions you want the system to perform, such as order control, table reservations, stock monitoring, and staff supervision.
- Ensure ease of use – Develop a system architecture and design the user interface (UI). Create wireframes and mockups to visualize the system’s layout and functionality. Decide on the database structure that will ensure better usability.
- Add scaling capabilities – Before you build a restaurant management software, plan for scalability to accommodate future growth and changes in your company needs.
- Integrate external services – Integrate third-party services if needed, such as payment gateways, digital payment registers, and online reservation platforms.
- Select a software development partner – Developing an RMS system is a complex project that requires careful planning, development, and ongoing maintenance. Collaboration with experienced restaurant software development partners with working knowledge of how to develop a restaurant management system can help secure the success of your RMS project.
Our experience in building solutions for restaurants
At Eastern Peak we have developed a solution for restaurants and bakeries called All-Eat-One that covers every front of house digital interaction between them and their customers.
A platform allows restaurants to improve their production by anticipating orders, manage reservations and waiting lists in case of cancellations, speed up the service in high traffic occasions, attract new customers and build a customer database, increase their sales and average check, and many more.
The main features of the platform:
- Online table booking from any device
- Ordering (delivery, pick-up, in-dinner)
- Waste management
- On-site waiter interaction
- Online payment
- Loyalty programs
- CRM
Conclusion
The world of HORECA is evolving quickly, and adopting next-gen tech is a necessity for withstanding competition. The digital tools available today empower restaurant owners to simplify and automate operations, improve the quality of services, and drive profitability.
In some cases, however, pre-packaged software solutions might not be capable of completely fulfilling all the specific needs and demands. Unique business models and operations, regulatory compliance, adaptability for growth, security prerequisites, and the necessity to guarantee trouble-free integration with a range of business-specific tools can necessitate the creation of a tailor-made RMS solution.
When facing such circumstances, it is strongly recommended to seek guidance from software development experts experienced in crafting personalized restaurant software tailored to your requirements.
Ready to start your journey towards efficient and successful restaurant management software development? Contact us now for a free consultation!
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About the author:
Alexey Shalimov, CEO at Eastern Peak
As CEO at Eastern Peak, a professional software consulting and development company, Alexey ensures top quality and cost-effective services to clients from all over the world. Alexey is also a founder and technology evangelist at several technology companies. Previously, as a CEO of the Gett (GetTaxi) technology company, Alexey was in charge of developing the revolutionary Gett service from ground up and deploying the operation across the globe from New York to London and Tel Aviv.
