When it comes to technological tools for restaurants, preferences vary widely. While some establishments may only require a basic restaurant waitlist app, others seek comprehensive platforms that streamline every aspect of the hospitality business. Regardless, it's become almost universal for restaurateurs to rely on some form of restaurant technology, often accessed through their iPhones.

Indeed, the average restaurant utilizes around 3 technology tools solely for managing back-office operations. Today's emerging restaurant technology offers a plethora of benefits. It can mitigate mistakes, streamline communication, automate data entry, and alleviate the burdens associated with running a small business. Here, we highlight the top 15 apps worth considering to simplify your operations:

1. Esplanda

Esplanda, is your all-in-one solution for restaurant management and online ordering. With an intuitive interface and customizable features, Esplanda offers affordable, scalable, and fully customizable plans to cater to restaurants of all sizes. From menu management to push notifications and loyalty programs, Esplanda provides the tools you need to streamline operations and connect with your customers effectively. Whether you're a single-location establishment or a multi-branch chain, Esplanda's admin mobile app ensures on-the-go management and real-time updates, giving you the flexibility and control to run your restaurant efficiently. Experience the power of Esplanda and take your restaurant to new heights.

Key Features

1. Affordable, Scalable & Fully Customizable:

• Pricing: RestroApp caters to various budgets and provides plans that grow with your business.
• Scalability: The platform adapts to your restaurant's size and needs, from single locations to multiple branches.
• Customization: Tailor the app's look and feel to match your brand identity.

2. Intuitive Online Ordering Systems:

• User-friendly interface: Customers can easily browse menus, place orders, and track their progress.
• Multiple ordering options: Support for online ordering, in-app ordering, and table-side ordering (if desired).
• Flexible payment options: Offer various payment methods for customer convenience.

3. Menu Management:

• Add, edit, and update menus: Easily manage your menu offerings and descriptions.
• Categorize and organize: Maintain a well-structured menu for easy navigation.
• Visual appeal: Add high-quality photos and descriptions to entice customers.

4. Push Notifications:

• Personalized messages: Send targeted notifications to customers about promotions, discounts, and new menu items.
• Order updates: Keep customers informed about their order status through real-time notifications.
• Engagement tool: Increase customer engagement and encourage repeat business.

5. Offers & Discounts:

• Run targeted promotions: Attract new customers and reward existing ones with special offers and discounts.
• Create coupons and deals: Offer personalized promotions for different customer segments.
• Boost sales and engagement: Increase revenue and keep customers coming back.

6. Reports & Analytics:

• Track sales performance: Gain insights into sales trends, popular items, and customer behavior.
• Identify areas for improvement: Use data-driven insights to optimize your menu, pricing, and marketing strategies.
• Make informed decisions: Base your business decisions on real-time data and analytics.

7. Loyalty Program:

• Reward loyal customers: Implement a points-based or tier-based program to incentivize repeat business.
• Build customer relationships: Enhance customer loyalty and encourage positive engagement.
• Gather valuable data: Gain insights into customer preferences and buying habits.

8. Multi-Branch:

• Manage multiple locations: Easily manage orders, menus, and promotions across all your branches.
• Centralized control: Maintain consistency and efficiency across your restaurant chain.
• Simplify operations: Streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens.

9. Admin Mobile App:

• On-the-go management: Manage your app, orders, and customers from your mobile device.
• Real-time updates: Stay informed about your restaurant's performance and activity.
• Increased flexibility: Manage your business conveniently, anytime and anywhere.
• Overall, RestroApp offers a comprehensive set of features to help restaurant

Online Ordering System

1. Effortless Integration for Restaurant Websites: Seamlessly integrate Esplanda's advanced online ordering system into your restaurant's website, enhancing convenience for your customers and boosting your online presence.
2. Customizable Menus Tailored to Your Brand: Showcase your restaurant's unique offerings with customizable menus that reflect your brand identity and culinary specialties, providing a personalized experience for your customers.
3. Streamlined Ordering Management: Simplify order management with Esplanda's intuitive platform, allowing you to efficiently process incoming orders, track order statuses in real, and optimize order fulfillment for maximum efficiency.
4. Secure Payment Processing: Ensure peace of mind for both you and your customers with Esplanda's secure payment processing system, offering multiple payment options and robust fraud protection measures.
5. Actionable Insights with Detailed Analytics: Gain valuable insights into customer preferences, order trends, and sales performance with Esplanda's comprehensive analytics dashboard, empowering you to make informed business decisions and optimize your operations.
6. Efficient Account Management: Manage your restaurant's profile, menu offerings, and promotional campaigns with ease through Esplanda's user-friendly admin panel, saving you time and streamlining your online presence.
7. Coupon Code Option for Customer Discounts: Enhance customer satisfaction and incentivize purchases with Esplanda's coupon code feature, allowing customers to apply discounts and enjoy savings on their orders.

2. Restaurant365

Restaurant365 aims to simplify restaurant management by providing a comprehensive suite of tools for accounting, operations, and human resources. Through seamless integration with various systems and automation of tasks, it promises to alleviate back-office headaches and streamline restaurant operations.

Here's a breakdown of its key features:

1. Accounting

• General Ledger & Reporting: Monitor income, expenses, and profitability through customizable reports.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable: Efficiently manage vendor bills and customer payments.
• Inventory Management: Keep food costs under control with real-time inventory tracking and purchase orders.
• Payroll & Time Tracking: Simplify payroll processing and manage employee time effectively.
• Bank Reconciliation: Quickly and easily reconcile bank statements.

2. Operations

• Recipe Management: Standardize recipes and access precise costing information.
• Menu Management: Easily update menus and track their performance.
• Purchasing & Receiving: Manage vendor relationships and monitor purchase orders.
• Waste Management: Monitor and reduce food waste to enhance profitability.
• Labor Scheduling & Budgeting: Efficiently schedule staff and stay within budget.

3. Human Resources

• Employee Onboarding & Management: Streamline the onboarding process and manage employee information.
• Performance Management: Track employee performance and provide feedback.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations.

4. Additional Features

• Integrations: Seamlessly connects with various Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, banks, and third-party vendors.
• Data Analytics & Reporting: Provides detailed insights into restaurant performance through reports and dashboards.
• Cloud-based: Access the platform from any device with an internet connection.
• Scalability: Suitable for restaurants of all sizes, from small independents to large chains.

5. Benefits

• Improved Efficiency: Automate tasks and save time on administrative work.
• Reduced Costs: Control food and labor costs, as well as other expenses.
• Better Decision Making: Gain insights from data to make informed business decisions.
• Increased Profitability: Enhance efficiency and reduce costs to boost profitability.

Alternatives

In addition to Back of House, other strong competitors in this category include:

• Toast: A popular POS system with integrated back-office functionalities.
• Square for Restaurants: An affordable POS system offering essential back-office tools.
• Lightspeed Restaurant: A cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform.
• 7shifts: An employee scheduling and communication platform.

3. Evernote

Restaurant owners are often on the move, needing a notetaking app that can keep up with their fast-paced lifestyle. Enter Evernote, a versatile tool designed to capture every thought, idea, inspiration, and reminder, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. With Evernote, you can effortlessly save text, images, audio recordings, scans, PDFs, and documents, and its reliable search functionality guarantees that you can retrieve any of your fleeting thoughts later when you need them.

1. Capture Anything, Anytime

• Multi-format notes: Capture ideas in various formats such as text, audio, images, web clips, or scans of handwritten notes, making it perfect for jotting down recipes, menu inspiration, employee feedback, or any other creative spark.
• Voice notes: Dictate ideas on the go, whether you're prepping food or interacting with customers.
• Web clipper: Save interesting articles, recipes, or inspiration from websites with a single click.
• Camera scanner: Easily scan handwritten notes, business cards, receipts, or other documents for quick reference.

2. Stay Organized and Find Information Quickly

• Notebooks and tags: Organize your notes by theme, project, or category using notebooks and tags.
• Locations: Tag notes with your location to easily access information related to specific areas of your restaurant.
• Reminders: Set reminders to ensure you don't overlook important tasks or follow-ups.
• Powerful search: Instantly find any note, even if you only remember a fragment of the information.

3. Boost Collaboration and Efficiency

• Shared notebooks: Collaborate with your team on recipe development, project plans, or marketing ideas.
• Templates: Create reusable templates for inventory checklists, shift reports, or task lists.
• Offline access: Work on your notes even without an internet connection, ensuring information is always at your fingertips.
• Integrations: Seamlessly connect Evernote with other apps and services you use, such as your POS system or email, for a streamlined workflow.

Specific Restaurant Use Cases

• Recipe development: Capture and share recipe ideas, ingredient lists, and cooking notes with your team for collaboration and feedback.
• Menu planning: Track seasonal trends, customer feedback, and competitor analysis to inform your menu decisions.
• Operational checklists: Create and share checklists for staff training, opening/closing procedures, and inventory management.
• Marketing and social media: Gather inspiration, schedule posts, and manage content creation across platforms.
• Employee management: Document performance reviews, training materials, and feedback for each team member.

4. Chowly

Chowly is a convenient app that seamlessly integrates major delivery platforms like Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates with your POS system. This restaurant ordering technology eliminates the need for manual entry of incoming delivery orders into your POS. Additionally, when you update your menu on Chowly, it automatically synchronizes across all connected delivery platforms simultaneously.

Key Features

1. Multi-platform integration: Connects with major delivery platforms, streamlining management by consolidating orders.
2. Automated order processing: Orders from all platforms flow directly into your POS, reducing manual data entry and errors.
3. Centralized menu management: Update your menu once in Chowly, ensuring consistency across all delivery platforms.
4. Smart pricing: Set custom pricing for delivery orders to account for platform fees and maintain profitability.
5. Inventory management: Track inventory levels and receive alerts when stock is low to prevent overselling or under-preparation.

Benefits for Restaurants

1. Increased efficiency: Save time and reduce errors by automating order processing and menu management.
2. Improved accuracy: Eliminate manual data entry and ensure consistent menu information across platforms.
3. Optimized profitability: Set smart pricing and track inventory to maximize profit margins.
4. Streamlined operations: Manage delivery orders and logistics efficiently within one platform.
5. Data-driven decisions: Gain insights from reports to enhance your online ordering strategy.

5. 7Shifts

This scheduling software is designed to be user-friendly, mobile, and cloud-based, making it an excellent tool for simplifying and speeding up shift planning. Employees appreciate its convenience as it streamlines processes such as shift swapping and notifying managers of absences due to illness.

Key Features

1. Mobile-friendly: Accessible on any device, enabling managers and employees to easily manage schedules while on the go.
2. Cloud-based: No need for software installation, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
3. Drag-and-drop scheduling: Intuitively create and edit schedules using a drag-and-drop interface.
4. Employee availability: Employees can specify their availability preferences, enhancing scheduling efficiency.
5. Shift swaps and open shifts: Employees can easily find replacements for shifts they can't cover and pick up open shifts.

Benefits for Restaurants

1. Reduced scheduling time: Spend less time on scheduling tasks, freeing up time for other important responsibilities.
2. Improved communication: Effectively communicate with staff and keep everyone informed of schedule changes.
3. Increased employee satisfaction: Empower employees to manage their schedules and find shift coverage, leading to higher job satisfaction.
4. Reduced labor costs: Accurately forecast sales and schedule staff accordingly, optimizing labor costs.
5. Compliance assurance: Stay compliant with labor laws and avoid costly penalties through automated alerts and reports.

6. BevSpot

BevSpot is a v aluable tool for managing a restaurant's inventory, ordering, and invoicing while on the move. It provides insights into sales data, making it easy to understand and analyze. Additionally, BevSpot's recipe tool enables you to track the cost of menu items ingredient by ingredient, facilitating the creation of popular and profitable menu items over time.

1. Inventory Management

Inventory management is made simple with features offered by this platform. Real-time tracking of inventory levels ensures that stockouts and overstocking are avoided. Additionally, setting par levels allows for automated purchase orders to be triggered when inventory drops below a specified point. 

2. Ordering & Invoicing

The platform facilitates ordering and invoicing processes with convenient features. Users can send purchase orders directly to vendors from within the platform, streamlining the procurement process. Vendor invoices are easily tracked, enabling efficient management of payments.

3. Sales Data & Reporting

The platform offers robust capabilities for analyzing sales data and generating insightful reports. Users can delve into detailed reports and dashboards to gain a comprehensive understanding of their sales data. Tracking sales by item, category, and time provides valuable insights into customer preferences and buying patterns.

Benefits for Restaurants

1. Reduced costs: Enhanced inventory management and purchasing practices result in substantial cost savings.
2. Increased efficiency: Streamlined operations save time and effort, enabling focus on other business aspects.
3. Improved profitability: Data-driven insights aid in making informed decisions regarding menu pricing, purchasing, and labor costs.
4. Reduced waste: Accurate inventory tracking minimizes food waste and spoilage.
5. Better decision-making: Valuable insights into business performance facilitate informed decision-making.

7. Kudos

Kudos is an employee engagement system that helps you acknowledge team members. Just as importantly, Kudos lets them recognize each other’s excellent work, too. You decide what kind of awards or points to attach to the program. Employees can earn gift cards or you can customize the rewards.

Key Features

1. Peer-to-peer recognition: Facilitates easy acknowledgment of each other's contributions, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
2. Management recognition: Enables managers to acknowledge individual and team achievements, boosting motivation and engagement.
3. Customizable rewards: Offers a variety of reward options, points systems, and personalized choices to align with company culture and budget.
4. Goal setting and tracking: Define and monitor goals to enhance employee engagement and accountability.
5. Feedback and analytics: Provides valuable insights into employee sentiment and recognition activities through reports and analytics.
6. Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with existing HR systems and tools for efficient workflow.

Benefits for Organizations

1. Improved employee engagement: Recognition demonstrates the value of employees' work, leading to increased satisfaction and motivation.
2. Enhanced company culture: Cultivates a positive and collaborative work environment centered on appreciation and teamwork.
3. Reduced turnover: Engaged employees are more likely to remain with the company, reducing talent acquisition and training costs.
4. Improved performance: Recognition boosts morale and encourages employees to strive for excellence.
5. Stronger employer brand: Positive employee experiences attract and retain top talent.

8. Agorapulse

Social media plays a crucial role in restaurant marketing, and managing feeds across multiple platforms can be challenging. Tools like Agorapulse, Buffer, or Hootsuite simplify this process by handling all incoming messages and comments in one centralized platform. With Agorapulse, you can batch-write posts and schedule them for later, freeing up time for other tasks.

Key Features

1. Multi-platform management: Handle Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts from a single dashboard.
2. Inbox management: View and respond to social media messages and comments in one inbox, saving time and effort.
3. Content scheduling: Create and schedule posts in advance, allowing for consistent and timely content delivery.
4. Social listening: Monitor online conversations about your restaurant and promptly respond to feedback.
5. Reporting and analytics: Gain insights into social media performance and track campaign impact.

Also read: how to increase restaurant sales

9. Feedly

Feedly is a convenient tool for staying updated on industry news, technology advancements, and food trends. Instead of visiting multiple websites and blogs individually, Feedly aggregates all your sources into one platform, ensuring you never miss out on important information. Moreover, you can customize your preferences by specifying topics you want to follow, allowing Feedly to flag essential insights from across the internet for you though if you are searching for the best restaurant websites this blog can help you.

Key Features

1. Centralized Content Hub

Feedly serves as a centralized content hub, allowing users to aggregate news, blogs, websites, and YouTube channels they follow into one easily accessible platform. This eliminates the need to switch between tabs or visit multiple websites to catch up on favorite content.

2. Personalized Content Discovery

In addition, Feedly offers personalized content discovery features. Users can follow specific keywords or topics to find relevant content across the web, beyond their existing sources.

3. Smart Features for Efficient Reading

Furthermore, Feedly provides smart features for efficient reading. Users can save articles to read later offline, even without an internet connection, and highlight key passages for future reference.

Benefits for Different Users

1. Professionals: Stay current on industry trends, competitor activities, and relevant news.
2. Students & Researchers: Efficiently gather information for projects, papers, and assignments.
3. Casual Readers: Keep up with your favorite blogs, websites, and online personalities.

10. FoodDocs

FoodDocs is a food safety app designed to streamline the process of creating a smart food safety system for restaurants. In just 15 minutes, users can set up their food safety system, while a HACCP plan can be developed in just an hour. The app automatically flags critical control points and conducts hazard analysis, simplifying the task for users.

Key Features

1. Quick and Easy Setup

• Establish a personalized Food Safety System in just 15 minutes and a HACCP plan within an hour.
• Automated hazard analysis identifies critical control points tailored to your specific operation.

2. Mobile-Friendly Platform

• Managers can conveniently access and update information on their phones.
• Receive timely notifications for critical tasks and reminders.

3. Additional Features

• Customizable templates and forms for various food safety procedures.
• Access training materials and resources for staff.
• Manage audit preparation and recordkeeping efficiently.
• Potential integrations with other restaurant management software (needs confirmation).

Benefits

• Reduced Time and Effort: Simplifies the creation and maintenance of food safety systems and HACCP plans, saving time and effort for restaurant staff.
• Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to food safety regulations, reducing the risk of violations and potential fines.
• Enhanced Staff Training: Provides readily available training materials and resources, facilitating staff education and compliance with safety protocols.
• Increased Efficiency: Mobile access and notifications streamline communication and task management, improving operational efficiency.

For further reading: restaurant web page template

11. Keypass

Everyone has too many passwords to remember, and restaurant owners have more than most. Keep passwords at your fingers and secure at the same time with a password manager. Keypass is free, secure, shareable by multiple users, and able to generate strong random passwords.

Key Features

• Offline Storage: Stores passwords securely on your device without internet access, minimizing online vulnerabilities.
• Strong Password Generation: Creates unique and complex passwords to enhance security.
• Secure Sharing: Allows sharing passwords securely between authorized users within your restaurant for collaborative access.
• Master Password Protection: Secures your entire password database with a single, strong master password.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Compatible with various devices (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS) for accessibility.
• Open-Source: Transparent code allows for community scrutiny and potential customization.

Benefits for Restaurants

• Improved Security: Reduces the risk of password breaches and unauthorized access to crucial systems.
• Enhanced Password Hygiene: Eliminates the need for weak or reused passwords.
• Increased Efficiency: Provides quick and easy access to passwords, saving time and frustration.
• Team Collaboration: Enables secure password sharing among authorized team members.
• Cost-Effective: Free and open-source nature avoids subscription fees.

12. OpenTable

OpenTable offers a comprehensive platform tailored to the specific needs of restaurants, providing a versatile tech toolkit all in one place. With its array of features, OpenTable assists in managing reservations, tables, waitlists, guests, marketing efforts, experiences, online reviews, and much more.

Reservation Management

• Online reservations: Allow customers to conveniently book tables 24/7 through your website or the OpenTable app.
• Table management: Optimize seating arrangements and efficiently manage waitlists.
• Reservation insights: Gain valuable data on reservation trends, customer behavior, and peak times.

Guest Management

• Customer profiles: Store guest information and preferences to personalize their dining experiences.
• Email marketing: Send targeted campaigns to attract new customers and engage existing ones.
• Online reviews: Manage your online reputation by monitoring and responding to customer reviews.

Marketing and Promotions

• Gift cards: Offer gift cards to attract new customers and promote repeat business.
• Dining experiences: Create and sell unique dining experiences to enhance revenue.
• Targeted promotions: Run promotions tailored to specific customer segments to drive sales.

Benefits for Restaurants

• Increased efficiency: Streamline operations and save time with automated tools and centralized management.
• Improved customer experience: Provide a convenient and personalized dining experience for guests.
• Boosted revenue: Attract more customers, increase reservations, and drive sales through targeted marketing efforts.
• Data-driven insights: Utilize valuable information to make informed decisions about restaurant operations.
• Enhanced brand reputation: Manage your online presence effectively and cultivate positive relationships with customers.

13. DoorDash

DoorDash is a popular app that offers customers the convenience of ordering food from a wide range of restaurants and having it delivered directly to their doorstep.

Key Features

• Extensive restaurant selection: Choose from a diverse range of cuisines, including options from national chains and local favorites.
• Convenient ordering: Place orders effortlessly using the mobile app or website, allowing for on-the-go food ordering.
• Real-time tracking: Keep track of your order's progress and monitor the estimated delivery time in real time.
• Multiple payment options: Securely pay for orders using credit cards, debit cards, or DoorDash credits.
• Delivery fees and minimum order: Delivery fees and minimum order requirements may vary based on location and restaurant preferences.

Benefits for Customers

• Wide variety of food choices: Indulge in a diverse selection of cuisines to satisfy any craving.
• Convenience and time-saving: Enjoy the convenience of having delicious meals delivered straight to your door, saving time and effort.
• Easy online ordering: Quickly and easily place orders through the user-friendly app or website interface.
• Transparent pricing: View delivery fees and minimum order requirements upfront, ensuring transparency in pricing.

14. Avero

Avero provides restaurateurs with comprehensive insights into their business operations and sales, offering a range of invaluable features when integrated with their restaurant POS system. This powerful platform is accessible across Android, iOS, and the web, ensuring flexibility and convenience for users.

Key Features:

1. Server Performance Tracking:

• Monitor and evaluate server performance to identify areas for improvement.
• Track key metrics such as sales volume, table turnover rates, and customer satisfaction.

2. Inventory Management:

• Streamline inventory processes by tracking stock levels, ingredient usage, and supplier orders.
• Optimize inventory levels to minimize waste and ensure efficient stock management.

3. Labor and Food Cost Tracking:

• Monitor labor costs by tracking employee hours, wages, and productivity.
• Track food costs by analyzing ingredient usage and pricing to control expenses and maximize profitability.

4. Revenue Management:

• Optimize revenue streams by analyzing sales data, trends, and customer preferences.
• Implement strategies to maximize revenue potential through pricing adjustments and promotional campaigns.

5. Marketing and Loyalty Programs:

• Develop and manage marketing initiatives and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers.
• Track the effectiveness of marketing efforts and loyalty incentives to enhance customer engagement and loyalty.

6. Real-time Reporting and Analytics:

• Access real-time reports and analytics to gain actionable insights into business performance.
• Monitor key metrics, trends, and performance indicators to make informed decisions quickly.

Benefits:

• Gain Valuable Insights: Avero provides deep insights into business operations and sales, empowering restaurateurs to make informed decisions and drive growth.
• Improve Server Performance: By tracking server performance metrics, restaurateurs can identify areas for improvement and enhance overall efficiency.
• Reduce Food and Labor Costs: Through comprehensive tracking of food and labor costs, Avero enables businesses to identify cost-saving opportunities and increase profitability.
• Increase Revenue and Profitability: By optimizing revenue streams and implementing effective marketing and loyalty programs, businesses can boost revenue and drive profitability.
• Make Data-driven Decisions: With access to real-time reporting and analytics, restaurateurs can make data-driven decisions that positively impact their business outcomes.