10 Best Restaurant Scheduling Software Tools for Busy Kitchens
Running a restaurant is like choreographing a dance – timing is everything. To make sure the team is in sync, having the best restaurant scheduling software is a must. In this article, we’ll explore the top scheduling tools, including free employee shift scheduling apps, that help restaurant owners and managers organize their staff schedules. From making shifts smoother to improving communication, the right scheduling software can make running a restaurant a breeze. Let’s check out the best options, keeping things simple and considering what works for both big and small restaurants.
Evaluation Criteria for Restaurant Scheduling Software
💻 User-friendly interface: How easy is the software for restaurant staff and managers to use?”
💡 Essential features: Does the software cover vital features like shift management, employee availability, and communication tools?
🔁 Integration capabilities: How well does the software work with other tools used in restaurant management?
📈 Scalability: Can the software grow with the restaurant’s needs, adapting to changes and expansions?
💲 Affordability: Is the software cost-effective for restaurant owners, especially those with budget constraints?
👩💻 Customer support: What level of support does the software provider offer to address issues and provide assistance?
🔐 Security measures: How secure is the software in protecting sensitive employee and business data?
❗ Note: Our reviews are impartial, and we do not accept compensation for featuring specific tools. Our goal is to provide honest insights to help restaurant owners find effective scheduling solutions.
Comparison Table
| Tool | User-Friendly Interface | Advanced Scheduling | Scalability | Affordability | Customer Support | Advanced Security Measures |
| Shifts by Everhour | ✓ | ✓ Project-based scheduling | ✓ Scales with team growth | ✓ Free for freelancers | ✓ Dedicated support | ✓ Multi-factor authentication |
| 7shifts | ✓ | ✓ Shift swapping and availability management | ✓ Adaptable for single locations to franchises | ✓ Affordable plans | ✓ Live chat support | ✓ Role-based access control |
| Push Operations | ✓ | ✓ AI-driven labor forecasting | ✓ Suitable for small to enterprise-level businesses | ✓ Custom pricing based on business needs | ✓ 24/7 support | ✓ GDPR compliance |
| When I Work | ✓ | ✓ Auto Scheduling | ✓ Adaptable for businesses of all sizes | ✓ Affordable pricing plans | ✓ 24/7 customer support | ✓ SSL encryption |
| ZoomShift | ✓ | ✓ Predictive scheduling | ✓ Scalable for small to large teams | ✓ Transparent pricing | ✓ Dedicated customer success | ✓ SOC 2 compliant |
| Sling | ✓ | ✓ AI-driven scheduling | ✓ Suitable for single locations to multi-chain enterprises | ✓ Affordable pricing with free plan available | ✓ 24/7 customer support | ✓ Data encryption and regular security audits |
| Homebase | ✓ | ✓ Team messaging and collaboration | ✓ Suitable for small to large businesses | ✓ Free basic plan with affordable paid options | ✓ Live chat and phone support | ✓ GDPR compliant |
| Jolt | ✓ | ✓ Compliance management tools | ✓ Scalable for single to multi-location businesses | ✓ Custom pricing based on business needs | ✓ 24/7 customer support | ✓ Role-based access control and data encryption |
| Planday | ✓ Intuitive and user-friendly scheduling platform | ✓ Flexible scheduling system that adapts to the dynamic needs of the restaurant | ✓ Suitable for businesses of varying sizes | ✓ Cost-effective solutions for restaurant owners with budget constraints | ✓ | ✓ Prioritizes data security and compliance |
| Deputy | ✓ | ✓ AI-driven workforce optimization | ✓ Scalable for businesses of all sizes | ✓ Custom pricing based on business needs | ✓ 24/7 customer support | ✓ Data encryption and GDPR compliance |
10 Best Restaurant Scheduling Software Tools
1. Shifts by Everhour
Shifts by Everhour stands out as a robust solution for businesses seeking efficient employee scheduling and time management. With a focus on user-friendly design and real-time collaboration, this tool knows exactly how to make a restaurant employee schedule and aims to streamline the scheduling process while ensuring accuracy in time tracking.
🔧 Key features
- Intuitive scheduling: Effortlessly create and manage employee schedules with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- User-friendly interface: Shifts by Everhour features a design that prioritizes user-friendliness and visual appeal, ensuring a quick and easy grasp for managers and employees alike.
- Availability management: Restaurant employees have the flexibility to update their availability, streamlining the shift assignment process and accommodating their preferences and scheduling constraints.
- Shift reminders: Automated shift reminders are sent to employees, minimizing instances of no-shows and last-minute scheduling conflicts.
- Time-off requests: Simplify the time-off request process by enabling employees to submit requests directly through the application, streamlining the approval workflow.
- Kiosk setup: Facilitates clocking in and out with a dedicated device, exclusively designated for your team’s time tracking.
- Centralized attendance: With Shifts by Everhour, enjoy the convenience of consolidating all attendance-related information in one centralized location.
- Efficient payroll processing: The software provides robust features to streamline payroll processing, ensuring accurate compensation for your team.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Simplicity & ease of use
- Real-time attendance tracking
- Efficient payroll management
- Multiple shift allocation options
- Employee availability management
- Accessibility across various devices
❌ Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to more specialized tools.
💰 Pricing
Shifts by Everhour is completely free to use.
2. 7Shifts
7shifts is a powerful solution tailored to the unique scheduling demands of the restaurant industry. Through the use of intelligent scheduling algorithms, 7shifts aims to streamline restaurant operations and enhance labor management.
![the 9 best when i work alternatives in 2023 [both paid and free]](https://blog-cdn.everhour.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/7shifts.jpg)
🔧 Key features
- Intelligent scheduling: 7Shifts provides a user-friendly platform for creating and managing employee schedules.
- Communication hub: 7Shifts serves as a centralized communication hub for teams. Managers can share updates, announcements, and important information with employees.
- Labor management tools: The platform offers robust labor management tools, allowing businesses to optimize staffing levels based on demand.
- Real-time monitoring and reporting: Businesses can monitor labor costs and employee attendance in real-time.
- Compliance and labor law integration: 7Shifts integrates compliance features to assist businesses in adhering to labor laws and regulations. This includes features like automated break scheduling, overtime tracking, and other tools to ensure legal compliance in workforce management.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Intelligent scheduling for cost-effective labor management
- Mobile accessibility enhances flexibility for both managers and staff
- Robust communication features improve team coordination
❌ Cons:
- The steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with advanced scheduling features
- Some advanced features may be more suitable for larger restaurant operations
💰 Pricing
7shifts offers flexible pricing plans, with a Free plan under their belt. The paid plans start at $29.99 per month/location.
3. Push Operations
Push Operations takes center stage as a comprehensive solution designed to address the intricate scheduling and workforce management needs within the restaurant industry. Focused on efficiency and compliance, Push Operations aims to simplify complex tasks and streamline operations for restaurant owners and managers.
🔧 Key features
- Automated payroll: Push Operations automates time tracking, tip reporting, and other payroll-related tasks, reducing manual errors and saving time for restaurant managers.
- Labor compliance: Push Operations prioritizes compliance with labor laws and industry regulations.
- Employee scheduling: Push Operations streamlines the scheduling process with automated tools, enabling restaurants to create, manage, and optimize employee shifts effortlessly.
- Employee self-service tools: The platform provides employee self-service tools, allowing staff to view schedules, swap shifts, and manage time-off requests.
- Real-time reporting: Push Operations offers robust reporting and analytics tools, providing insights into labor costs, employee performance, and overall business metrics.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Automated payroll processes enhance accuracy and save time
- Robust tools for ensuring labor law compliance
- Intuitive employee scheduling for optimized workforce management
❌ Cons:
- Some advanced features may require a learning curve
- Pricing may be relatively higher for smaller businesses
💰 Pricing
Push Operations’ pricing starts from $25 per month for 5 employees.
4. When I Work
When I Work emerges as a versatile solution tailored to meet the dynamic scheduling demands of businesses, particularly within the restaurant industry. It aims to simplify the complexities of employee scheduling and enhance overall workforce management.
🔧 Key features
- Intuitive scheduling tools: When I Work offers user-friendly scheduling tools that simplify the creation and management of employee schedules.
- Mobile accessibility: The platform is optimized for mobile use, allowing both managers and employees to access schedules, receive shift updates, and manage time-off requests from their smartphones.
- Attendance tracking and time clock: Employees can clock in and out directly from the app, providing accurate and real-time data for payroll processing.
- Communication and messaging: The software includes built-in communication tools, such as instant messaging and group chats.
- Labor cost forecasting: When I Work provides tools for labor cost forecasting, helping businesses predict and manage labor expenses more effectively.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- User-friendly interface for easy adoption and navigation
- Efficient employee availability tracking for optimized scheduling
- Robust communication tools enhance team collaboration
❌ Cons:
- Advanced features may be limited compared to more specialized tools
- Some businesses may find the pricing relatively higher for certain features
💰 Pricing
The first paid plan, the Essentials Plan, is $2.50/user.
5. ZoomShift
ZoomShift positions itself as a versatile solution tailored to meet the evolving scheduling and workforce management needs of businesses, particularly in the restaurant industry.
![the 9 best when i work alternatives in 2023 [both paid and free]](https://blog-cdn.everhour.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/zoomshift.jpg)
🔧 Key features
- Flexible scheduling: ZoomShift provides robust tools for creating and managing employee work schedules efficiently. Managers can easily schedule shifts, assign tasks, and handle shift swaps or time-off requests within the platform.
- Employee availability management: Efficiently track and manage employee availability, enabling accurate and streamlined scheduling processes.
- Mobile accessibility: Access schedules and manage workforce operations on the go with a mobile-friendly platform, enhancing flexibility for both managers and employees.
- Time tracking and attendance: Streamline time tracking and attendance management with automated features, ensuring precision in work hours recording.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Flexible scheduling for dynamic workforce management
- Mobile accessibility enhances flexibility for both managers and staff
- Robust time tracking and attendance features for accurate record-keeping
❌ Cons:
- Some advanced features may be more suitable for larger businesses
- The learning curve for users unfamiliar with advanced scheduling functionalities
💰 Pricing
ZoomShift pricing starts at $2 per active team member/month.
6. Sling
Sling is designed to meet the intricate scheduling and workforce management requirements, especially within the restaurant industry. With a focus on efficiency and collaboration, Sling aims to simplify scheduling complexities and streamline overall workforce operations.
🔧 Key features
- Smart scheduling: Sling employs intelligent scheduling algorithms for optimized labor management and efficient workforce scheduling.
- Communication hub: Seamless communication among team members is facilitated through built-in messaging features, enhancing collaboration and coordination.
- Time and attendance tracking: Time tracking and attendance management are streamlined with automated features, ensuring accuracy in work hours recording.
- Task management: Productivity is enhanced with integrated task management features, allowing for better organization and coordination of tasks.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Smart scheduling for cost-effective labor management
- Communication hub enhances team collaboration
- Integrated task management for improved productivity
❌ Cons:
- Some advanced features may require a learning curve
- Availability of certain features may vary based on subscription plans
💰 Pricing
Sling offers a free plan; the paid one starts at $1.70 per user per month.
7. Homebase
Homebase is a versatile workforce management solution designed to streamline employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication for businesses. With a commitment to user-friendly features, Homebase stands out as a comprehensive solution for optimizing workforce productivity.
🔧 Key features
- Efficient scheduling: Homebase allows restaurant managers to efficiently plan shifts, ensuring adequate coverage during peak hours and adjusting schedules based on real-time demand.
- Seamless communication: Facilitating seamless communication, Homebase enables staff to request and manage shift changes easily.
- Task assignments for efficient operations: Managers can allocate tasks, such as cleaning duties or inventory checks, within the scheduling platform for improved organization.
- Employee availability management: With a focus on the restaurant’s dynamic nature, Homebase includes tools to manage employee availability effectively.
- Automated time tracking for payroll: Homebase simplifies time tracking for restaurant employees, automating the process to accurately record hours worked.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Intuitive shift planning tailored for restaurant needs
- Effective communication for managing shift changes
- Automated time tracking streamlines payroll processes
- Employee availability management reduces scheduling conflicts
❌ Cons:
- Limited advanced reporting options
- Potential learning curve for new users
💰 Pricing
Homebase offers a free plan, the paid one starts at $20 per location/month/
unlimited employees.
8. Jolt
Jolt is a specialized platform crafted to meet the unique scheduling requirements of the restaurant industry. It places emphasis on simplicity, effective communication, and streamlined scheduling to provide an efficient and user-friendly solution for restaurant workforce management.
🔧 Key features
- Intuitive scheduling: Jolt offers a user-friendly and intuitive scheduling platform tailored to the specific needs of the restaurant industry.
- Communication hub: Enable seamless communication among restaurant teams using Jolt’s integrated messaging features, promoting collaboration and coordination for smoother operations.
- Shift management: Efficiently manage and assign shifts with Jolt’s intuitive tools, optimizing labor management to ensure the right staff is scheduled during peak times.
- Task assignment for restaurant operations: Jolt streamlines task assignment, enhancing organization and coordination of essential restaurant tasks to maintain operational efficiency.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- The platform facilitates efficient organization and coordination of restaurant tasks
- Jolt’s tools for shift management are designed to optimize labor resources
- User-friendly interface, making it easy for restaurant managers to navigate and utilize its scheduling tools
❌ Cons:
- Depending on specific restaurant needs, there may be limitations in terms of customization
- For simpler scheduling needs, the platform’s extensive features might be perceived as unnecessary or overwhelming
💰 Pricing
Contact Jolt’s representative for pricing information.
9. Planday
Planday addresses the intricate scheduling and workforce management needs within the restaurant industry. With a focus on flexibility, collaboration, and efficient labor management, Planday aims to simplify scheduling complexities and streamline overall workforce operations for restaurants.
🔧 Key features
- Flexible scheduling: Utilize a flexible scheduling system that adapts to the dynamic needs of your restaurant, allowing for optimized labor management.
- Intuitive scheduling interface: Planday provides an intuitive and user-friendly scheduling platform tailored to the unique needs of the restaurant industry.
- Shift management efficiency: The platform offers efficient tools for managing and assigning shifts. This is particularly valuable for optimizing labor resources and ensuring that the right staff is scheduled during peak business hours or specific roles within the restaurant.
- Attendance tracking and reporting: Planday offers robust attendance tracking features, allowing managers to monitor staff attendance and generate insightful reports. This capability helps in maintaining accurate records and identifying attendance patterns for better workforce management.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Flexible scheduling tailored to the dynamic needs of restaurants
- Communication hub for seamless collaboration among team members
- Mobile accessibility enhances flexibility for both managers and staff
❌ Cons:
- Some advanced features may be more suitable for larger restaurants
- The learning curve for users unfamiliar with advanced scheduling functionalities
💰 Pricing
Planday’s Starter plan is €2.99 per user/month.
10. Deputy
Deputy emerges as a robust solution designed to meet the intricate scheduling and workforce management needs within the restaurant industry. It aims to empower businesses to optimize their scheduling processes and enhance overall workforce coordination.
![the 9 best when i work alternatives in 2023 [both paid and free]](https://blog-cdn.everhour.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/deputy.jpg)
🔧 Key features
- Smart scheduling: Utilize intelligent scheduling algorithms for optimized labor management and efficient workforce scheduling.
- Leave management and shift swapping: Deputy’s tools enable employees to request time off directly through the platform. Additionally, the shift-swapping feature allows staff to exchange shifts with colleagues, fostering flexibility and reducing scheduling conflicts.
- Dynamic shift adjustments: Leverage the Deputy’s dynamic shift adjustments for real-time modifications, ensuring optimal staffing levels during peak hours.
- Availability tracking: Facilitate effective scheduling with the Deputy’s availability tracking feature, allowing employees to input preferred working hours and time-off requests.
❓ Pros & cons
✅ Pros:
- Smart scheduling for cost-effective labor management
- Compliance tools ensure adherence to labor laws and regulations
- Mobile accessibility enhances flexibility for both managers and staff
❌ Cons:
- Availability of certain features may vary based on subscription plans
💰 Pricing
The Scheduling plan, the first-tier plan, is $3.50 per user per month.
What Is Restaurant Scheduling Software?
Restaurant scheduling software is a specialized tool designed to streamline and optimize the process of creating, managing, and communicating employee schedules within the restaurant industry. This software goes beyond traditional scheduling methods, offering features tailored to the unique challenges faced by restaurant managers and owners.
🌟 Key characteristics
- Shift planning: Efficiently plan and organize shifts for various roles within the restaurant, considering factors such as peak hours, employee availability, and labor cost.
- Communication tools: Facilitate seamless communication between managers and staff by providing integrated messaging features, ensuring that everyone stays informed about schedule updates and changes.
- Labor cost management: Enable businesses to manage labor costs effectively by providing insights into labor expenses, helping optimize scheduling to meet operational needs while controlling expenditures.
- Time and attendance tracking: Streamline time tracking and attendance management to ensure accurate recording of work hours, helping in payroll processing and compliance with labor regulations.
- Task management: Some solutions may include task management features, allowing managers to assign and track various tasks within the restaurant for improved organization and coordination.
- Mobile accessibility: Provide flexibility with mobile accessibility, allowing managers and staff to access schedules, communicate, and manage workforce operations on the go.
😎 Benefits of restaurant scheduling software
- Efficiency: Reduces the time and effort involved in creating schedules, allowing for more efficient labor management.
- Communication: Enhances communication between managers and staff, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding schedules and updates.
- Cost optimization: Helps businesses optimize labor costs by providing insights into expenses and allowing for strategic scheduling.
- Compliance: Assists in adhering to labor laws and regulations by automating time tracking and attendance management.
- Flexibility: Provides flexibility for both managers and staff with mobile accessibility, accommodating the dynamic needs of the restaurant industry.
In essence, restaurant scheduling software is a valuable tool that empowers businesses in the food service industry to create well-organized schedules, foster effective communication, and manage labor resources efficiently to enhance overall operational effectiveness.
Tips for Implementing Restaurant Scheduling Software
Implementing restaurant scheduling software can significantly improve operational efficiency and workforce management. To ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the software, consider the following tips:
1️⃣ Assess your restaurant’s needs
Before selecting a scheduling solution, thoroughly assess your restaurant’s specific scheduling requirements. Consider factors such as peak hours, employee roles, and labor regulations.
2️⃣ Involve your team in the selection process
Engage your managers and staff in the selection of scheduling software. Their input is valuable in understanding the features that align with the unique needs and preferences of your restaurant.
3️⃣ Provide adequate training
Ensure that both managers and staff receive comprehensive training on how to use the scheduling software. Familiarity with the tool will lead to smoother adoption and effective utilization.
4️⃣ Communicate changes transparently
Clearly communicate the transition to the new scheduling system to your team. Emphasize the benefits of the software and how it will streamline scheduling processes for everyone.
5️⃣ Customize schedules based on business trends
Leverage the flexibility of the scheduling software to adapt schedules based on business trends. Align staff levels with peak hours and dynamically adjust schedules to optimize labor resources.
6️⃣ Utilize reporting and analytics
Take advantage of reporting and analytics features within the software. Monitor key metrics, such as labor costs and employee performance, to make informed decisions and continually improve scheduling strategies.
7️⃣ Encourage employee engagement
Foster a sense of ownership and engagement among your employees by allowing them to set preferences, request time off, or swap shifts using the software. This involvement enhances satisfaction and collaboration.
8️⃣ Regularly update and optimize
Stay updated with software updates and new features. Regularly review and optimize your scheduling processes based on the insights provided by the software to ensure continued efficiency.
9️⃣ Address concerns promptly
Actively seek feedback from your team and address any concerns promptly. Open communication channels will help resolve issues and create a positive experience for all users.
🔟 Ensure data security and compliance
Prioritize data security and compliance with labor regulations. Choose a scheduling solution that provides robust security measures and helps you stay compliant with local labor laws.
If you’re looking for a seamless way to improve shift planning, Shifts by Everhour is the best restaurant management software. With features like real-time monitoring, easy scheduling, and mobile accessibility, managing your workforce has never been simpler.
Best Restaurant Scheduling Software: On a Final Note
In summary, restaurant scheduling software is a game-changer for modernizing workforce management in the hospitality industry. Tailored to the unique needs of restaurants, it streamlines scheduling, enhances communication, and optimizes labor costs.
Shifts by Everhour stands out as the premier option, offering tailored solutions and cutting-edge features to address the unique needs of restaurants. Embrace this technological advancement to elevate your restaurant operations and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
