Now let’s look at the top technology tools used in restaurants.
Tools to include:
1. Restaurant POS
In its simplest form, a point-of-sale (POS) system helps restaurants accept payments from guests.
However, modern restaurant POS systems do more than let you accept payments. They offer insights into customer behaviour and spending, which can translate to personalized dine-in experiences.
Top POS systems for F&B operators include: Oracle Simphony, Foodics, Infrasys, Syrve, Linga
Further reading:
2. Reservation and table management software
A restaurant reservation management system helps restaurants manage online and offline bookings and reduce no-shows and cancellations.
This software comes with a reservation widget, which can help you collect guest information and build your restaurant’s CRM.
Top reservation and table management systems include: Servme, Sevenrooms, Resy
Further reading: 11 Reasons Your Restaurant Needs SerVme’s Reservation Widget
3. Waitlist management software
Referred to as queue management system, waitlist management software helps F&B concepts manage online and offline waitlists.
Many reservation management systems come with waitlist management. They can also include automated guest notifications and SMS features to confirm reservations or being added to a waitlist.
Top waitlist software include: Servme, Eat App, Opentable
4. Restaurant marketing software
Restaurant marketing tools take various forms. They vary from those you can use to create, manage, and schedule posts on social media to email marketing and SMS marketing for restaurants.
Restaurant marketing software also includes channel integrations such as Tripadvisor, Zomato, where restaurants get an online listing
One of the top benefits of using restaurant marketing automation is being able to track traffic sources, top booking channels, and measure restaurant analytics.
It’s worth mentioning that many marketing automation tools can be used for a restaurant but they will lack industry-specific templates.
Top restaurant marketing software include: Servme, Mailchimp, Canva, Infobip
Further reading:
5. Social media scheduling software
To manage and speed up your restaurant’s marketing operations, you need to use social media scheduling tools. Almost every social media platform has its scheduling tool.
Meta platforms have the Business Manager tool and mobile app. You can use it to create and schedule posts on Facebook and Instagram. If you’re using Twitter or LinkedIn, you can schedule posts directly from either platform.
However, using all of these tools independently can be a hassle. Which is where social media scheduling software comes in. They let you schedule posts across multiple platforms with a couple of clicks.
Top social media scheduling software: Buffer, Hootsuite, Sendible, Metricool, SocialBee
6. Digital menu software
This is software that helps restaurant operators create digital menus.
From adding images and descriptions for mouth-watering dishes to having time-specific or day-specific menus, digital menu software is a great tool to have on your restaurant tech stack.
Top digital menu software include: Qlub, Sunday App, Yodeck, NoviSign, Servme
7. Kitchen display system (KDS)
The front-of-the-house isn’t the only busy space in a restaurant. The kitchen is quite hectic especially on weekends, holidays, and any time the restaurant is busy.
Having printed tickets with customers’ orders is a thing of the past.
Kitchen display systems (KDSs) are how restaurant kitchens ensure orders are queued in correctly and kitchen operations are smooth.
Aside from being environmentally friendly compared to printed tickets, there is a zero chance of the virtual kitchen tickets getting lost. Unlike their printed counterparts.
It can come at an initial investment but translates to longer-term savings on paper and ensures smoother operations. It integrates with your restaurant point-of-sale system.
The KDS is usually mounted on the wall in the kitchen and allows staff to see new and open orders on the screen. It can also display the status of orders.
Top kitchen display systems include: Oracle Simphony, Revel, Lightspeed, Foodics
8. Payments platform
One of the important tools in a modern restaurant’s tech stack is the payment platform. These help you accept on-premise payments and online payments such as deposits or full in-advance payments for ticketed events.
Payment platforms will vary by country and by region.
Some of the top payment terminals in the Middle East include: Network International, Stripe, Moyasar, Paymob, Planet, PayGCC, MyFatoorah
9. Inventory management software
An inventory management system is essential in your restaurant tech stack. It helps you keep track of your stock, monitor your inventory, track food costs and more.
Many restaurant POS systems come with a built-in inventory management system. You will have to inquire about each.
Top restaurant inventory management systems include Supy, Toast, Foodics, MarketMan
10. HR or people management software
HR software can take many forms. The human resources management system (HRMS) is the most common.
An HRMS can track arrival and departure times for your staff, facilitate vacation day requests, and streamline the onboarding of new employees. It also assists in managing shifts, overtime, and absenteeism, and can be integrated with your payroll software for seamless operations.
Top HR software include: ZenHR, Bamboo HR, Zoho, Toast, Sage HR, 7shifts
11. Payroll and accounting software
Payroll is one of the top areas of spending for a restaurant business. So, using payroll and accounting software can speed up and streamline various financial operations.
From managing and automating your tax payments and direct deposits for paying your staff, payroll and accounting software are important tools in your restaurant tech stack.
Some POS systems include payroll add-ons, while others support payroll and accounting integrations.
Similarly, some payroll and accounting systems can be integrated into your restaurant management system ensuring smoother operations for all.
Top accounting and payroll software include: QuickBooks, Gusto, OnPay, Bill.com, Odoo, BambooHR, Oracle NetSuite
12. Delivery aggregators
Working with delivery aggregators is one of the ways restaurants can increase their sales. While not all restaurants offer food delivery, many have begun doing so since the pandemic.
The delivery aggregators you can integrate or partner with will depend on the region and country you’re operating from.
Top food delivery aggregators in the Middle East include: Talabat, Noon Food, Uber Eats, Careem Mrsool, Deliveroo, Hungerstation, Jahez
Top food delivery aggregators in the United States include: GrubHub, DoorDash, Uber Eats. Postmates
Top food delivery aggregators in Europe include: Bolt, Deliveroo, Glovo, GrubHub, Just Eat
