Employee scheduling software for restaurants can make your restaurant more efficient.
Whether you’re a restaurant manager or owner, mismanaging employees can leave you low on staff and patience. This can cause profit loss and tension between management and coworkers.
Issues like these are avoidable with the help of restaurant scheduling software. Today, we’ll help you choose the right employee scheduling option. Let’s discuss what this software can do for you, and compare the top options on the market.
What Is Restaurant Scheduling Software?
Restaurant scheduling software is a digital tool that allows you to manage employee scheduling efficiently. Instead of relying on emailing and texting to manage employee rosters, restaurants can use scheduling software to check employee availability and shifts.
These platforms automate the scheduling process, removing any human error that leads to miscommunication and under or overstaffed schedules.
When paired with software like table reservation apps, these platforms can automate many otherwise manual tasks.
Scheduling software can optimize employee shifts so that you don’t need to spend your precious hours trying to manually create a roster.
With scheduling software, you can make use of real-time scheduling and shift swapping. This can help you to avoid conflict between restaurant managers and employees.
Many software options come with extra bells and whistles, like shift reminders and mobile apps. Employee scheduling might also be one part of a software platform, as opposed to its own platform. This is because scheduling is a basic feature of restaurant management software.
With the right employee scheduling, your company can enjoy an employee roster that is automated and accessible. In real-time, these platforms must accommodate and automate shift swaps, time off requests, task management, shift scheduling, and so much more.
How Do You Make a Restaurant Staff Roster
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A roster helps manage employee shifts and duties. It’s what allows a restaurant to run smoothly by optimizing the working schedule.
Let’s take a look at how to create a roster that can easily manage restaurant employee scheduling.
Collect Data
Collecting data is always beneficial. Not only will it help you analyze the past for present needs, but it will help you predict patterns for the future.
Gather restaurant employees and request their scheduling needs. Gather information on schedules as far into the future as possible. For example, some employees may have classes on certain days that prevent them from being able to work. Others may need to look after their children on the weekend, and so on.
Combine this data with historic scheduling patterns and see which times are best for certain employees' schedules, training, and so on.
Schedule as Far as Possible
There will always be scheduling changes that you need to deal with.
Many restaurants leave schedules to the last minute, which can lead to chaos. Often, employees only know when they’re working a week in advance. This makes it almost impossible to optimize employee shifts. It leaves too little time for employees to prepare and creates instability when they need to swap shifts.
Use employee data and the scheduling software to create a schedule. This schedule will be flexible in that employee issues can be dealt with in real-time, far in advance.
Old rosters can give you a clearer image when it comes to scheduling. Schedules prepared in advance give employees time to make changes, request leave, or swap shifts according to their needs.
Post and Prepare
Ensure that your schedule is accessible. This will leave employees enough time to make changes. The scheduling process becomes much easier when using restaurant scheduling software.
Prepare to make changes to the schedule according to employee needs while also keeping peak periods in mind. You don’t want to leave your best employees off the roster on the busiest night of the year.
It might not always be possible, but handle scheduling changes immediately. Don’t let schedule change requests sit for long!
Check Yourself
Check the schedule efficacy. If there were issues that caused problems, fix them. Don’t beat yourself up! Just like a recipe, restaurant management relies on trial and error to reach perfection.
Technology in restaurants is constantly advancing and presents endless opportunities for optimization, provided you know where to look.
Stay open to employee feedback. If there were problems with the schedule, listen, readjust, and give the schedule another go until it’s operating smoothly.
12 Scheduling Software Solutions for Restaurants
Employee scheduling software has optimized and simplified restaurant schedules. This software makes it easy to manage shifts in real-time.
While these options are all different, they all make scheduling more efficient. If you’re looking to save time, this software is a great move for you and your restaurant.
Here are our picks for the best restaurant scheduling software.
1. 7shifts
7shifts is a restaurant management system with amazing features and a loyal fanbase. The software aims and succeeds at cutting back on scheduling times with an easy interface and powerful restaurant scheduling tools.
It was made specifically for restaurants. It has everything a restaurant manager could need and more.
Free Plan? Yes, 7shifts has a free basic plan.
Starting Price: $29.99 per month.
Main Features
- Built-in communication tools to reduce communication issues
- Comprehensive notification system
- Drag and drop interface for easy scheduling
- Labor budgeting tools to help with labor costs
- Factors in labor laws, labor compliance, and overtime
- Leaderboard and engagement tools for employee statistics
2. Homebase
Homebase is a free, easy-to-use software with a focus on helping small business employee management. Their goal is to free up time for restaurants to focus more on people, whether they be clients or employees.
Free Plan? Yes, Homebase has a free plan.
Starting Price: $20 per month.
Main Features
- Templates to create schedules and minute-to-minute planning
- Alerts via message and email on all schedule changes
- Mobile app for instant team communication and shift swapping
- Easily manage shift trades on mobiles, PCs, and tablets
- Payroll software integration
3. HotSchedules by Fourth
HotSchedules has been on the scene since 1999 and is the result of decades of improvements. The employee scheduling software aims to remove the time-consuming nature of managing schedules, especially for bigger restaurants that might work in multiple locations.
Free Plan? There is a 14-day free trial.
Starting Price: There is no information on starting prices.
Main Features
- Analytics and data formulas that forecast labor costs, labor budgets, and sales
- Schedule creation based on data records and labor laws
- Automatically trade shifts with open shifts and assigns tasks
- Easy interface, instant shift changes, and comprehensive restaurant scheduling app
- POS integration
4. When I Work
When I Work is similar to Sling in the way that it has a very straightforward interface. The software aims to remove tension and stress from the restaurant business by taking the guesswork and human error from the scheduling process.
Free Plan? Yes, there is a free version for up to 75 users.
Starting Price: $2.50 per user.
Main Features
- Mobile app with auto-scheduling
- An easy-to-use scheduling system that allows for schedule sharing and viewing
- Payroll integration
- Time clock software
- Break and job management options
- Employee data is stored
5. Harri
Harri offers modern restaurant schedule software that manages almost all aspects of the restaurant's backend. The biggest difference between Harri and other scheduling tools is that Harri helps employers find employees that match their business with pre-hiring tools.
Harri works as a scheduling app and a social media platform for restaurants. It’s also known for being easy to use.
Free Plan? No.
Starting Price: There is no information on starting prices.
Main Features
- POS integration
- Facial recognition, time clock, and comprehensive time tracking
- Social media-like platform
- Hiring tools for owners and managers to hire the best restaurant industry talent
- Swift swapping can be set to require manager approval
6. Sling
Sling has been used in education and restaurant management since 2015. The software is known for its beginner-friendly interface and straightforward approach to scheduling.
Sling is not dedicated to restaurant management, but it does work well when setting up employee schedules. It has all the tools of the best scheduling software.
Free Plan? Yes, Sling has a free version that allows unlimited employees.
Starting Price: $1.70 per month per person.
Main Features
- Scheduling and time-tracking systems
- Messaging platform that makes shift schedules easy
- Employees can access schedules and request changes
- Easy exporting tools for fast payroll processing
7. Restaurant365
Restaurant365 is a dedicated restaurant scheduling tool. It provides workforce, accounting, and store operation management options. The software aims to streamline the entire restaurant management process with a full package of tools.
Unfortunately, the scheduling software cannot be purchased by itself. It is part of a larger package.
Free Plan? There is no free plan or a trial option for Restaurant365.
Starting Price: $435 per month.
Main Features
- Mobile app
- Supervisors can easily manage the schedule and approve scheduling changes
- POS, vendor, and payroll integration
- Auto blocking on time off requests for certain dates
- Profit-driven and in-depth reporting
8. Deputy
Deputy is another great restaurant scheduling app. Deputy runs similarly to the other software on this list, although it has one major difference. This software allows third-party integration to streamline the online scheduling system.
The software is charged per user, which can be expensive if you’re running a big restaurant or need multiple schedules for multiple restaurants.
Free Plan? No, but there is a 30-day free trial.
Starting Price: $3.50 per user per month.
Main Features
- Straightforward user interface
- Auto-scheduling
- More than 50 available app options for faster scheduling
- POS, HR, and payroll service integration
- Accurate time clock and shift tracking
- Communication options with the entire team via group messaging
9. Jolt
Jolt is a business management and scheduling tool that aims to improve employee productivity and decrease food and health safety issues. Jolt is very popular among franchises, including Burger King, Chevron, and Buffalo Wild Wings, to name a few.
Free Plan? No, Jolt does not offer a free plan or a free trial.
Starting Price: There is no information on starting prices.
Main Features
- Labor cost, engagement analytics, and metrics for easy tracking
- Drag and drop interface for easy scheduling changes
- Different scheduling apps for employees and managers
- Deny or approve shift transactions or changes from the app
10. Push Operations
Push Operations was created by an experienced accountant. It aims to provide tools that businesses can use to make the most profitable choices. One of the best ways to do this is through smart scheduling, tracking, and hiring procedures.
Free Plan? No, Push Operations has no free plan or free trial.
Starting Price: $5 per user per month.
Main Features
- Automated labor cost optimization and real-time staff tracking
- POS and payroll integration
- Cloud-based HR, time clock, and schedule creation
- All-in-one software with tracking, viewing, and approval options
- Hiring and promotion options
11. Hubstaff
Hubstaff offers comprehensive scheduling options, GPS tracking, accurate timekeeping, and in-depth employee reports. It also has many purchasing tiers and add-on services for software customization. This gives you the option to choose a budget-friendly management software that has the features you need.
Free Plan? Hubstaff has a free plan that supports only one user. There is also a free trial.
Starting Price: $10 per month.
Main Features
- Easy-to-use interface
- GPS tracking and geofencing
- Productivity analysis
- Scheduling and attendance reporting
- Mobile app for tracking and quick scheduling
12. OpenSimSim
OpenSimSim is another scheduling software option that is dedicated to the restaurant industry. The software was built by industry professionals and provides almost everything you could want from restaurant scheduling software.
Free Plan? Yes, OpenSimSim offers a free plan with basic features for up to 10 employees.
Starting Price: $12.99 per month per location.
Main Features
- Easy-to-use scheduling tools
- Notifies employees before a shift starts
- Chat capabilities with employees and groups
- Automatic updates with schedule changes
- Analytics and trackers to optimize present and future labor costs
Conclusion
Employee scheduling can be time-consuming.
With restaurant scheduling software, you can schedule staff and comfortably work through staffing issues. You can allocate time off, track employee abilities, stay compliant with labor laws, and much more.
If you’re looking to optimize employee scheduling, consider using one of these tools.
If your restaurant hosts events, great venue management software can be invaluable. Consider Perfect Venue to help you save time, stay organized, and increase profits. Start your free trial today.
