Restaurant management systems (RMS) are software applications that help restaurants manage various aspects of their operations, providing a centralized platform for managing customer orders, menus, inventory, staff, and finances.
From managing delivery orders, reservations, and inventory to online menu management, payroll, and real-time data analytics, restaurant management systems help restaurants operate more efficiently, reduce waste, and increase profitability, allowing owners and managers to focus on customer service, and creating delicious food that sells!
Common features of restaurant management software
Point of sale (POS) system: Take table side and counter orders, process payments, and track sales data.
Inventory management: Track inventory levels, order supplies, and manage food costs.
Table management: Manage table reservations, waitlists, and seating arrangements.
Employee management: Manage employee schedules, track time and attendance, and manage payroll.
Menu management: Easily update and manage menu items and pricing.
Reporting and analytics: Provides real-time data and analytics to help owners make better business decisions.
What Is a Restaurant Management System?
A restaurant management system is something that helps restaurants manage their work more efficiently with the help of some online tools and software.
In simple language, a RMS is a collective term for various operational software packages that can help you manage your work related to reservations, bookings, inventory, staff, and orders.
As a restaurant operator, you’re busy with the inner workings of your restaurant’s day-to-day operations. To help you juggle your operation, RMS can help you control many operations (bar, delivery orders, bakery, etc.) on one platform, and keep all the balls in the air. RMS helps aggregate all the systems and give you a simplified, one-time solution without wasting your precious time.
Not only does RMS help owners and managers run a restaurant end to end, these tools are useful to the entire staff by keeping track of inventory, running payroll, managing delivery and take-out orders, and taking reservations. Owners can also use these tools to compare business practices at multiple locations, ease the onboarding process for new employees, and track employee effectiveness. These tools provide a wide range of features for restaurants as a whole.
There is crossover between restaurant management software and point of sale (POS) systems. However, while restaurant management tools include POS features, they also include a variety of other features to help run a restaurant. Visit the restaurant POS category for tools that primarily perform POS functionality.
While both systems are classified as POS, Restaurant Management Software offers features unique to the foodservice industry.
Tracks sales and orders
Lets you view accurate, real-time financial statements
Manages staff scheduling
Accesses data through the cloud
Utilizes built-in customer relationship management (CRM) tools to build mailing lists or start a rewards program
Frees up staff's time spent taking orders and processing payments to service customers
Types of Restaurant Management Software
Just as each restaurant is unique, there are different types of RMS that cater to a variety of businesses.
End-to-end: The most robust and comprehensive type of RMS, the main features include core POS, inventory control, CRM, staff, menu, order and payment management, technical support and reporting and analytics. Depending on the RMS vendor, you may be able to mix and match features.
POS: The POS is the core of the system and allows you to integrate with third-party systems for inventory, accounting, marketing and other key functions. POS that fall into this category include Clover, Toast, Lightspeed, Square, and TouchBistro.
iPad or Android only: Most systems are designed to run only on one device type to maintain the integrity of the system. Determine which operating system you will use in your restaurant before choosing a system.
General POS: Designed for businesses that have both retail and foodservices, these systems offer seamless crossover with add-on modules.
Why Restaurants Need RMS in 2023
There are several reasons why restaurants should consider implementing restaurant management software in 2023:
Improved efficiency: Restaurant management software can automate many time-consuming tasks such as inventory management, employee scheduling, and menu updates. This can free up staff time and improve efficiency, allowing staff to focus on other areas of the business.
Enhanced customer experience: Restaurant management software can provide tools for managing reservations, delivery orders, waitlists, and takeout orders, which can improve the overall customer experience.
Increased accuracy: Restaurant management software can help to reduce errors by automating tasks such as order processing and inventory management. This can help to reduce waste, improve food quality, and increase profitability.
Real-time data and analytics: Restaurant management software can provide real-time data and analytics on sales, inventory, and customer behavior. This can help restaurants make better decisions, such as adjusting menu items or pricing to meet customer demand.
Competitive advantage: Implementing restaurant management software can give restaurants a competitive edge over the competition. By using technology to streamline operations and improve the customer experience, restaurants can differentiate themselves and attract more customers.
Implementing restaurant management software can help restaurants to improve efficiency, enhance the customer experience, increase accuracy, gain real-time data and analytics, and gain a competitive advantage.
RMS for Restaurant Delivery
Restaurant management software can be very helpful in streamlining and improving restaurant delivery operations.
Order Management: RSM can help manage orders from various sources such as online ordering platforms, phone orders, and in-house orders. It can also help manage delivery schedules and assign drivers to deliver orders efficiently.
Delivery Tracking: With real-time tracking, restaurant management software can help track the delivery status of orders. It can also provide customers with real-time updates on the status of their orders.
Inventory Management: The software can help manage inventory levels and track ingredients and supplies used in preparing dishes for delivery. This can help avoid stock-outs and wastage, ensuring efficient use of resources.
Analytics and Reporting: Restaurant management software can generate reports on various aspects of delivery operations, including delivery times, order volumes, driver performance, and more. This data can be used to make informed decisions and optimize delivery operations.
Customer Management: The software can help manage customer data, including contact information, order history, and preferences. This can help personalize the delivery experience and improve customer satisfaction.
Accounting and Billing: The software can help manage invoicing and billing for delivery orders. It can also help with accounting tasks such as tracking expenses and calculating profits.
RMS allows you to manage almost every aspect of your business, depending on which type of RMS you choose, including:
Employee schedules, including daily, vacation and sick time
Payroll
Online Orders
Delivery
Financial statements
Inventory
Accounting
Reporting and analytics
Core POS
CRM
Menu
Reservations
Top Restaurant Management Software Platforms
Mad Mobile Restaurant POS, previously known as CAKE, is an al-in-one solution that helps businesses serve guests faster, scale their technology, and grow. Mad Mobile creates seamless modern point-of-sale transactions that transform how restaurants connect with customers and future-proofs operations.
Features:
Split checks/ Separate Checks Management
Reporting Analytics
Tips Management Online Ordering
Delivery Management
Table Management
Loyalty Program
Gift Card Management
Inventory Management
Alerts/Notifications
Discount Management
Employee Management
Customer Accounts
Barcode/Ticket Scanning
Point of Sale (POS)
Credit Card Processing
Electronic Signature
Order Management
Inventory Control
Multi-Location
Restaurant POS
Billing & Invoicing
Cash Management
Customer Management
Receipt Management
Reservations Management
Toast is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system built to improve efficiency and dramatically cut costs. Designed exclusively for the restaurant industry, Toast is focused on addressing the specific challenges of food service providers.
Features:
Online Ordering: Tracks and process online orders
Reporting/Analytics
Separate Checks
Table Management
Mobile Access
Inventory Management
Gift Card Management
Tips Management
Split Checks
Loyalty Program
Delivery Management
Access Controls/Permissions
Restaurant POS
Cash Management
Kitchen/Menu Management
Employee Management
Pricing Management
Sales Reports
Electronic Payments
Order Management
Discount Management
eCommerce Management
Inventory Control
Point of Sale (POS)
Returns Management
Customer Accounts
Multi-Location
Credit Card Processing
Barcode/Ticket Scanning
Billing & Invoicing
Electronic Signature
Reservations Management
Wait List Management
Built-in Accounting
Commission Management
Rezku is the secret weapon many savvy restaurateurs use to compete at a higher level, streamline operations, eliminate headaches and make more money. Designed to solve real-world operational challenges, Rezku offers everything restaurants need to run and grow their business, from front of house to kitchen to accounting, to marketing. Used by America's busiest restaurant concepts, pizzerias, bars, bistros and cafes, Resku’s advanced cloud POS is easy to use and customize.
Features:
Online Ordering
Reporting/Analytics
Separate Checks
Table Management
Mobile Access
Inventory Management
Gift Card Management
Tips Management
Split Checks
Loyalty Program
Delivery Management
Access Controls/Permissions
Restaurant POS
Cash Management
Kitchen/Menu Management
Employee Management
Pricing Management
Sales Reports
Electronic Payments
Order Management
Discount Management
eCommerce Management
Inventory Control
Point of Sale (POS)
Returns Management
Customer Accounts
Multi-Location
Credit Card Processing
Barcode/Ticket Scanning
Billing & Invoicing
Electronic Signature
Reservations Management
Wait List Management
Built-in Accounting
Commission Management
Retail POS
Powering over 29,000 restaurants globally, TouchBistro is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system that makes running a restaurant easier. Built to meet the unique needs of the restaurant industry, TouchBistro is fast, reliable, and easy to use, and has all of the features restaurateurs need to increase sales, deliver a great guest experience, and save both time and money.
Features:
Online Ordering
Reporting/Analytics
Separate Checks
Table Management
Mobile Access
Inventory Management
Gift Card Management
Tips Management
Split Checks
Loyalty Program
Delivery Management
Access Controls/Permissions
Restaurant POS
Cash Management
Kitchen/Menu Management
Employee Management
Pricing Management
Sales Reports
Electronic Payments
Order Management
Discount Management
eCommerce Management
Inventory Control
Point of Sale (POS)
Returns Management
Customer Accounts
Multi-Location
Credit Card Processing
Barcode/Ticket Scanning
Billing & Invoicing
Electronic Signature
Reservations Management
Wait List Management
Built-in Accounting
Commission Management
Retail POS
Restaurant365 restaurant management software is used to efficiently manage key restaurant operations. Experience greater control and visibility over food costs, which are one of the most controllable costs in your business. Restaurant365 can help ensure you know how much you are spending vs. how much you are using. Data is accessed in real-time on any device via our powerful POS integrations and excellent support.
Restaurant365 is an all-in-one platform that offers accounting, operations, and workforce modules designed to keep your data streamlined and your teams working toward the same goals, Restaurant365 makes restaurant vendor management easy, integrating with hundreds of food and liquor distributors, restaurant technologies, and POS systems to give you everything you need to drive simplicity, profit, and growth.
Features:
Capture, approve, and pay invoices with AP Automation
Create side-by-side P&L reports, instantly, across locations
See and manage your tailored chart of accounts, income statements, and financial transactions
Accurately budget and forecast with real-time labor and inventory projections
Billing & Invoicing
Accounts Receivable
Bank Reconciliation
Expense Tracking
Fixed Asset Management
Payroll Management
Project Accounting
Purchase Order Management
Tax Management
By Eileen Strauss
