Restaurant management tools have been around for a while, but they are now more widely used and more sophisticated. Restaurant management tools are mostly software that can help you run your business more efficiently. These tools can be used to manage menu items, inventory, staff schedules, customer feedback, administrative tasks, real-time reports, and more.
The restaurant management tools that you choose will depend on the size of your restaurant and the level of sophistication you need. There are many restaurant management tools available in the market today, and choosing the right one for your business might be a daunting task. We have compiled a list of some of the best ones in the market to help you make an informed decision.
It’s All About Saving Time And Cutting Costs
A restaurant is a business that needs to be run with efficiency. There are many ways to streamline restaurant operations and make them more efficient. We will, therefore, focus on the most daunting tasks and solutions to turn them into a fresh breeze.
Real-Time Kitchen Inventory
You have to know how many burger breads you have at any given time of the day, the same goes for tomatoes and everything else that goes into preparing your dishes. If you run out of tomatoes, you can’t serve the burger just because you’re missing a few slices of tomatoes, even if you have all the other ingredients ready to go. It’s, therefore important to stay on top of your kitchen inventory and preparation.
Too many restaurants still do Excel checklists. If there’s an easy way to save you time and eliminate human error, it’s wise to opt for that option. Some restaurant software can help you with real-time kitchen inventory management. Accept the help and have a coffee break in your spare time.
Menu Changes
Restaurant tablets provided for guests can be turned into digital menus so that you can streamline your waiters’ upselling process with restaurant tablets that recommend extras and add-ons for each menu item. You'll also save time and money by not having to print paper menus. Did you make a mistake? Is there a last-minute dish you wish to add to your menu? Simply make a fast digital edit on one of your restaurant tablets instead of reprinting.
The majority of these software solutions are compatible with POS systems or restaurant table tablets.
Staff Scheduling and Management
As restaurant owners and managers, we all need solid scheduling, payroll, and timesheet solutions. Raise your hand if you dislike last-minute changes and your staff switching shifts without your knowledge. Timetables and shifts are time-consuming to prepare and can easily be ruined by sudden changes.
Therefore, using software or an app that acts as an interactive tool among your team members where they can move around shifts when they have to, is the way to go. No one goes to the kitchen to see their shift on the weekly timetable anymore. At the end of the day, digitalizing what you do can save you time and/or money as the owner.
Reservation Management
You should ideally offer an online reservation system so that guests have the option to book their table ahead of time. You can control your restaurant seating and avoid last-minute surprises by making online reservations available. Systems that work best alert guests who reserved a table a few days before and on the day of their booking. You can also set it so that your management in charge of reservations receives alerts as well.
Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to keep track of your frequenters so that you can provide them with a more tailored service.
To have a reservation management tool handy is really the new black unless you want to dedicate a staff member just to take reservation calls and manage bookings pen and paper style.
Recommended Tools
FineDine is the new discovery of food businesses as the new way to create their menu and run the business. Bakeries, food trucks, coffee shops, and restaurants in the US have been trying it out to come to the conclusion that FineDine’s mobile ordering and fast checkout increase average order value by 20%, save 15 minutes per table, and generate 40% more tips.
Behind their success lie many reasons and solutions designed specifically for the industry. To name a few of FineDine’s features, FineDine Tablet and QR Mobile ordering solutions simply improve the guest experience. To minimize errors and save time, allow your customers to examine your customizable digital menu, place orders, and pay their bills.
Who doesn’t want to spend less time settling and splitting the bills, turn the tables faster, and collect more tips? Integrated with the world’s leading POS and payment systems, you don’t even need an app to use FineDine. As we mentioned above, there are many reasons why FineDine became the new standard for food businesses. It has many features to save time and money, which could not have been possible in traditional restaurant management systems.