Best Franchise Scheduling Software 2025: Features, Comparisons & Shifts by Everhour

Imagine managing a franchise with multiple locations—each with its own staff, peak hours, and scheduling needs. With dozens of employees requesting time off, swapping shifts, and clocking in from different stores, your once-simple spreadsheet becomes a nightmare. The right scheduling software can transform chaos into clarity, making life easier for franchise owners and managers. This guide explores the best franchise scheduling software in 2025, compares features and pricing, and highlights how Shifts by Everhour can be a powerful solution for franchises. We’ll break down essential features, use cases, and workflow integrations so you can choose the perfect tool for your business.

What Is Franchise Scheduling Software?

Franchise scheduling software helps businesses manage staff schedules across multiple locations. It enables owners and managers to create shifts, track employee hours, enforce labor laws, and communicate with staff. The software often integrates with payroll systems, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and HR tools.

The goal: reduce administrative time, ensure fair scheduling, optimize labor costs, and maintain compliance.

👀 Key benefits

• Centralized scheduling: Manage staffing across locations within one system.
• Automated scheduling: Create schedules based on staff availability, labor laws, and business needs.
• Time clock & attendance: Employees clock in/out via mobile apps or terminals.
• Communication: Send shifts, announcements, and updates in real time.
• Reports & compliance: Track labor costs, overtime, and compliance with local labor laws.

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Top Franchise Scheduling Software

Based on research from Connecteam’s list and When I Work’s industry insights, here are the leading scheduling solutions in 2025:

1. Shifts by Everhour
2. Connecteam
3. When I Work
4. Homebase
5. Deputy
6. 7shifts
7. Sling

Below, we detail their features, plans, pros and cons, and ideal use cases.

1. Shifts by Everhour

Shifts by Everhour is a modern scheduling solution built by Everhour. It focuses on easy shift planning, real-time updates, and staff empowerment. Shifts by Everhour offers a clean, intuitive interface for creating and managing schedules, letting employees set availability, request time off, and swap shifts.

🌟 Key features

• Drag-and-drop scheduling: Build and adjust schedules quickly.
• Recurring shifts & scheduling templates: Create templates to replicate weekly patterns.
• Time-off & availability: Employees request leave, enter availability, and pick up open shifts.
• Real-time notifications: Any change in the schedule triggers a push notification to staff.
• Compliance & fairness: Enforce breaks and rest periods; evenly distribute hours.
• Mobile apps: Staff can see schedules, request swaps, and get updates via iOS and Android.

💰 Pricing

• Free plan: Basic scheduling, up to 10 users.
• Paid plans: Start at $5/user/month with more features (advanced scheduling, unlimited employees, and integrations).

✅ Pros

• Simple setup and user-friendly interface.
• Great for franchises wanting straightforward scheduling with modern design.
• Real-time updates minimize miscommunication.

❌ Cons

• Lacks payroll and HR modules. Must integrate with other systems.
• Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise systems.

Ideal for: Small to medium franchises seeking an affordable, intuitive scheduling tool that employees will love.

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2. Connecteam

Connecteam is an all-in-one workforce management app. It combines scheduling, time tracking, communication, forms, and training in one platform. Its mobile-first approach ensures employees have everything they need on the go.

🌟 Key features

• Shift scheduling: Drag-and-drop, templates, auto-scheduling based on availability.
• Time clock: GPS geofencing, clock-in verification with photos or QR codes.
• Communication: In-app chat, announcements, surveys, and training modules.
• Checklists & forms: Digital checklists and forms for compliance and procedures.
• Integrations: Connects to QuickBooks, Gusto, Paychex, and other payroll/HR systems.

💰 Pricing

• Small business plan: Starts free for up to 10 users.
• Advanced plan: Starts at $29/month for 30 users; additional seats cost extra.
• Expert plan: Offers premium scheduling and automation features.

✅ Pros

• Mobile-first, intuitive interface.
• Combines scheduling, HR, and communication.
• Great onboarding and training tools.

❌ Cons

• Pricing can increase quickly with larger teams.
• Some advanced features are only on higher plans.

Ideal for: Franchises that want an all-in-one solution for scheduling, communication, and staff management.

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3. When I Work

Overview: When I Work focuses on scheduling and time tracking for hourly employees. It provides scheduling tools, employee availability management, and time clock functionality.

🌟 Key features

• Schedule builder: Drag-and-drop scheduling; templates; easy publishing.
• Shift swaps & requests: Employees request swaps and time off via the app.
• Time & attendance: Clock-in/out via app or POS integration.
• Labor cost forecasting: Compare scheduled hours with budget.
• Team messaging: Group chats and announcements.

💰 Pricing

• Essentials: $2.50/user/month (scheduling).
• Growth: $4/user/month (adds time clock).
• Premium: $6/user/month (advanced reporting).

✅ Pros

• Easy to use and widely adopted.
• Strong focus on hourly workers and shift swaps.
• Affordable tier structure.

❌ Cons

• Lacks HR or training features; needs integrations for payroll.
• Reporting is basic compared to some competitors.

Ideal for: Franchises with hourly staff who need flexible scheduling and time tracking.

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4. Homebase

Overview: Homebase is a workforce management platform combining scheduling, time tracking, communication, hiring, and payroll. It aims to help small businesses streamline staff management.

🌟 Key features

• Scheduling & templates: Create schedules, manage availability, and shift swaps.
• Time clock & timesheets: Mobile and tablet time clocks; GPS geofencing; wage and hour compliance.
• Team communication: In-app chat, announcements, and document sharing.
• Hiring & onboarding: Post jobs, track applicants, onboard new hires.
• Payroll: Full payroll service (All-in-One plan).
• Integrations: POS (Square, Clover), payroll (Gusto, QuickBooks), calendars.

💰 Pricing

• Free: Basic scheduling and time tracking for one location.
• Essentials: $24/month per location.
• Plus: $56/month per location.
• All-in-One: $96/month per location (includes payroll).
• HR Pro Add-on: Additional HR support.

✅ Pros

• Comprehensive feature set with built-in payroll.
• Strong scheduling and compliance tools.
• Free plan for small businesses.

❌ Cons

• Tier-based pricing can be expensive for multiple locations.
• Some users report complexity in advanced features.

Ideal for: Franchises that want scheduling combined with HR and payroll features.

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5. Deputy

Deputy is a scheduling and timesheet platform used by a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It focuses on easy scheduling, shift swapping, and compliance.

🌟 Key features

• Scheduling: Drag-and-drop schedules; templates; auto-scheduling.
• Time & attendance: Mobile clock-in; geofencing; facial recognition.
• Open shifts & shift swaps: Fill open shifts; approve swap requests.
• Labor cost & budgeting: Forecast costs and manage budgets.
• Integrations: POS, payroll (ADP, Gusto), HR (BambooHR), and more.

💰 Pricing

• Lite: $5/user/month.
• Core: $6.50/user/month.
• Pro: $9/user/month (combines both).

✅ Pros

• Excellent compliance features (breaks, overtime).
• Modular pricing; you only pay for what you need.
• Integration ecosystem.

❌ Cons

• Requires multiple modules for full functionality.
• Some users find the interface outdated.

Ideal for: Businesses needing flexible, compliant scheduling and time tracking at competitive pricing. Learn more in our Deputy review!

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6. 7shifts

Designed specifically for restaurants, 7shifts offers scheduling, time tracking, labor cost optimization, and compliance tools.

🌟 Key features

• Scheduling: AI-predicted staff levels; templates; shift swaps; time-off management.
• Time clock: POS integration; break tracking; split shift premiums.
• Tip management: Tip pooling and distribution.
• Labor forecasting: Predict staffing needs based on sales data.
• Employee engagement: Surveys, shift feedback, contests.

💰 Pricing

• Comp: Free for small teams.
• Essentials: $39.99/month/location.
• Pro: $79.99/month/location.
• Enterprise: $134.99/month/location.

✅ Pros

• Restaurant-centric features like tip pooling and AI forecasting.
• Strong integration with restaurant POS systems.
• Labor compliance tools.

❌ Cons

• Not suited for non-restaurant franchises.
• The cost can rise quickly for multiple locations.

Ideal for: Restaurants and hospitality franchises looking to optimize labor costs and improve staff engagement.

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7. Sling

Sling is a simple scheduling and communication tool. It focuses on shift scheduling, time tracking, and messaging.

🌟 Key features

• Shift scheduler: Drag-and-drop, recurring shifts, templates.
• Time clock: Mobile and browser clock-in/out; geofencing; shift alarms.
• Messaging: Team chat and announcements.
• Task lists: Assign tasks and checklists.
• Reports: Basic labor cost reporting.

💰 Pricing

• Free: Basic scheduling and messaging.
• Premium: $2/user/month (adds time tracking and reporting).
• Business: $4/user/month (adds multiple work locations and reporting).

✅ Pros

• Affordable and user-friendly.
• Good for small franchises needing basic scheduling.
• Free plan for starters.

❌ Cons

• Minimal advanced features.
• No payroll or HR tools.

Ideal for: Small franchises or startups needing budget-friendly scheduling.

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Comparison Table

Tool	Best for	Key features	Pricing (2025)	Notable pros	Notable cons
Shifts by Everhour	Small-medium franchises	Drag-and-drop scheduling, real-time updates, mobile apps, time-off management	Free plan; paid plans from $3/user/month	Intuitive interface; flexible scheduling; affordable	No built-in payroll; needs integration
Connecteam	All industries	Scheduling, time tracking, communication, forms, training, GPS clock	Free up to 10 users; paid plans from $29/month (30 users)	All-in-one workforce management; mobile-first	Pricing rises with users; some features premium
When I Work	Hourly workforces	Scheduling, shift swaps, time clock, labor cost forecasting	$2.50/user/month (scheduling); $4/user/month (time clock); premium $6/user/month	Easy to use; cost-effective; good shift swaps	Limited HR features; basic reporting
Homebase	SMBs across industries	Scheduling, time tracking, communication, hiring, payroll	Free basic; paid plans start $19.95/location	Includes payroll; comprehensive	Costs add up for multiple locations
Deputy	Flexible teams	Scheduling, time clock, labor budgeting, compliance	$3.50/user/month per module; premium $4.90	Compliance-focused; modular pricing	Interface dated; multiple modules
7shifts	Restaurants & hospitality	AI scheduling, labor forecasting, tip pooling, time clock	Free for small; paid plans $29.99-$169.99/location	Tailored for restaurants; strong compliance	Limited to restaurants; cost per location
Sling	Small franchises	Simple scheduling, time clock, communication	Free; Premium $3.95/user; Business $4.95/user	Budget-friendly; easy setup	Lacks advanced features

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Tips & Best Practices for Choosing Franchise Scheduling Software

• 🔍 Identify core needs: Are you a restaurant needing labor forecasting and tip pooling, or a retail franchise requiring integrated payroll? Align features with your industry.
• 📈 Evaluate scalability: Make sure the software can handle additional locations. Check pricing for multiple locations or users.
• 🖥️ Consider user experience: Pick a tool with a user-friendly interface—complex software reduces adoption.
• 🔗 Integrate systems early: Connect scheduling tools with POS, payroll, and HR systems to minimize manual data entry.
• ⚖️ Focus on compliance: Look for labor law compliance features (break reminders, overtime alerts) to avoid fines.
• 🧪 Trial & test: Use free trials to see if scheduling, time tracking, and notifications fit your workflow. Engage managers and employees in testing.
• 👥 Engage employees: Train staff to use the app and encourage feedback. The best tool is one that both managers and employees enjoy using.
• 🗂️ Use templates & recurring shifts: Save time by creating reusable scheduling templates.
• 🔒 Plan for data security: Ensure the platform encrypts data and supports secure logins (e.g., 2FA).
• 📊 Monitor reports: Regularly review labor cost reports and forecast accuracy to refine schedules.

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FAQ: Best Franchise Scheduling Software

Is Shifts by Everhour free?

Yes. Shifts by Everhour has a free tier with core scheduling features, and paid plans starting around $3/user/month.

Which software is best for restaurants?

7shifts. It focuses on restaurant scheduling and includes AI forecasting and tip pooling.

Can I integrate payroll with Shifts by Everhour?

Shifts doesn’t have native payroll. You can integrate with payroll tools like Gusto or QuickBooks to export shift data.

Does Homebase track tip pooling?

No. Homebase records tips but doesn’t manage pooling. 7shifts offers tip pooling on certain plans.

Which platform is most affordable?

Sling offers free scheduling and low-cost plans. When I Work’s Essentials plan is also budget-friendly.

Can employees set availability in these apps?

Yes. All major scheduling tools allow staff to enter availability and request time off.

Do any tools provide compliance alerts?

Homebase and 7shifts both flag potential labor law violations (e.g., missed breaks).

How secure are these platforms?

Most use TLS encryption and follow security standards. Check each tool’s security documentation for details.

Is Everhour necessary if I only need scheduling?

No. Everhour is for project-based time tracking. If you simply need shift management, Shifts by Everhour or other scheduling tools may suffice.

What about support?

Homebase offers chat and phone support; 7shifts provides dedicated support depending on plan; Shifts by Everhour offers email support.

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Best Franchise Scheduling Software: Final Thoughts

Managing multiple locations and employees is complex. Choosing the right franchise scheduling software ensures efficiency, compliance, and team satisfaction.

• Homebase – All-in-one solution with payroll and HR.
• 7shifts – Ideal for restaurants; labor forecasting and tip pooling.
• Connecteam – Full suite with onboarding and training.
• When I Work, Deputy, Sling – Flexible, cost-effective plans.
• Shifts by Everhour – Modern, intuitive tool; drag-and-drop scheduling, real-time updates, mobile shift management.

For project-based or billable work, combine your scheduling tool with Everhour for time tracking and budgeting.

Test a few solutions, involve your managers and employees, and pick a platform that fits your industry, workforce size, and budget. The right tool streamlines operations and empowers your team.

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