A solid tech stack can help even the busiest restaurant teams deliver incredible service and keep up with major chains without breaking the bank.
In this article, we'll cover a few important technologies and tools many restaurants have come to depend on. By the end of it, you'll have a sense of which tech makes sense for your restaurant and have a handful of specific solutions to investigate.
Restaurant tech is essential for meeting guest expectations Guests expect seamless, efficient, and personalized dining experiences, which can only be achieved by sourcing the right solutions and building a solid tech stack. For instance, digital reservation systems allow guests to book tables effortlessly and receive instant confirmations, eliminating the frustration of long wait times and miscommunications.
Today's diners expect control and ease. Restaurant tech, from online reservations to tableside tablets, empowers guests and streamlines the dining experience.
Recent restaurant industry research from Toast shows that:
More than half of millennials (54%) prefer the option of a self-ordering kiosk Less than one third of restaurants (31%) offer mobile payments The most popular restaurant operations tech solutions are POS technology, payment processing systems, accounting software, and payroll software 61% of restaurant-goers believes that when servers have handheld tablets, it creates a better experience While keeping guests happy is paramount, restaurant tech is now much more than a nice-to-have. Automating everyday tasks—like utilizing voice AI phone answering — frees up staff for higher-value interactions to be more efficient while also reducing labor costs. Additionally, data gleaned from different software can help identify trends, optimize pricing, and minimize food waste. streamlined orders, happy guests, and near-perfect inventory control . Ideally, your tech stack should help you make these outcomes a reality.
Ranking top restaurant software for 2024 Let's clarify something first. A tech stack from one restaurant to the next can be just as diverse and unique as the restaurants themselves.
Keep in mind that what works for one isn't always the case for another.
Having said that, let's jump into some popular technologies that drive efficiency and enhance the guest experience commonly found in most restaurants.
According to G2 , the most well-known review site for B2B software, the following is a list of the top 10 restaurant software brands. If you run a modern restaurant, there's a good chance your tech stack has at least one of these:
Restroworks Overview: Restroworks provides cloud-based restaurant management software solutions that help streamline operations, optimize workflows, and enhance guest experiences for restaurants of all sizes.G2 score: 4.8/5 starsOwner.com Overview: Owner.com is a restaurant technology platform with an integrated suite of tools covering everything from inventory management and staff scheduling to analytics and online ordering capabilities.G2 score: 4.8/5 starsSupy Overview: By connecting restaurants directly with suppliers and distributors, Supy's platform enables more efficient ordering, inventory management, and cost savings.G2 score: 4.9/5 starsSquare POS Overview: Square is a widely-used point-of-sale system that provides restaurants with an integrated solution for payment processing, inventory management, and customer relationship management.G2 score: 4.7/5 starsPetpooja Overview: Petpooja is a cloud-based restaurant management software offering a comprehensive solution that includes billing, inventory, reporting, online order management, menu management, CRM, and more.G2 score: 4.6/5 starsOttimate Overview: Ottimate is an accounts payable automation AI solution that streamlines the entire invoice lifecycle. Ottimate has become a popular choice for restaurants industry for its efficiency, accuracy, and cost-saving benefits.G2 score: 4.6/5 starsRestaurant365 Overview: Restaurant365 is a comprehensive restaurant management software that optimizes and integrates various operational aspects, including financial management, accounting, inventory tracking, and labor scheduling, into a unified platform.G2 score: 4.4/5 starsCraftable Overview: With its robust features tailored for demanding beverage programs, menu engineering, recipe costing, and multi-location management, Craftable has become a popular solution among leading hospitality operators.G2 score: 4.4/5 starsOpenTable Overview: OpenTable is a leading restaurant technology platform with easy-to-use solutions for reservation management, guest relationship building, operational efficiency, and revenue optimization. (Pro tip: Learn how the Slang.ai + OpenTable integration helps restaurants seamlessly book more reservations by phone)G2 score: 4.3/5 starsToast Overview: Toast is an all-in-one, cloud-based software that integrates solutions such as including online ordering, gift card and loyalty programs, and labor and sales reporting. More commonly, Toast is a reputable (POS) system designed specifically for the restaurant industry.G2 score: 4.2/5 stars The top tech platforms for restaurants, by category The previous list of top software for restaurants is broad as there are numerous subcategories to consider. The realm of restaurant software continues to grow each year, so it's important to understand use cases and dive into these categories to discover which tools are right for your business. TrustRadius . This will give a more complete view about this expansive selection of software.
Tech for payments, POS, and ordering Efficient ordering and point-of-sale (POS) systems have become indispensable tools. These technologies streamline the entire process, from taking orders to managing payments and inventory.
With the rise of digital ordering platforms and the increasing demand for seamless dining experiences, restaurant owners have recognized the need to embrace advanced POS software.
Reservation management software For full-service restaurants, booking reservations online is one of the top tech features that guest have come to expect. Reservation management software has become a crucial tool for operators. These solutions streamline the booking process, optimize table turnover, and provide a seamless experience for guests.
OpenTable - 4.3/5 stars on G2, 8.6/10 on TrustRadiusRESY - 4.0/5 stars on G2, no score on TrustRadiusSevenRooms - 4.7/5 stars on G2, no score on TrustRadiusTock - 4.4/5 stars on G2, no score on TrustRadiusRestaurant inventory management and operations software Inventory management and operations software enable real-time tracking of stock levels, automated reordering, and precise demand forecasting. By minimizing waste and ensuring optimal stock availability, they enhance profitability and guest satisfaction. These have become so common because restaurants need to prioritize improvements across operational efficiency and cost savings without impacting the guest experience.
Restaurant phone and guest communication technology The top three reasons people call restaurants include asking questions about hours and policies, booking and managing reservations, and placing takeout orders. Despite the prevalence of the internet and mobile technology, phones remain a crucial channel of communication for restaurants. choosing the right phone system to considering the benefits of voice AI answering , restaurants need to put serious thought behind sourcing phone technology. Each of the following are typically seen as best-in-class for each of their use cases. However, keep in mind there is no overlap between these different software.
Restaurant marketing tools Just like any business, marketing plays a big part in attracting guests. These powerful tools enable targeted email campaigns, social media management, and loyalty program integration. By leveraging customer data and preferences, restaurants can deliver personalized promotions and special offers.
Additionally, marketing software facilitates online reputation management, allowing restaurants to monitor and respond to customer reviews promptly. Analytics dashboards provide valuable insights into campaign performance, helping optimize marketing strategies for maximum impact.
Canva - 4.7/5 stars on G2, 9.2/10 on TrustRadiusMailChimp - 4.4/5 stars on G2, 7.9/10 on TrustRadiusActiveCampaign - 4.5/5 stars on G2, 7.9/10 on TrustRadiusGetting started with optimizing your restaurant tech stack Whatever your biggest challenges as a restaurant manager or operator are, there’s a platform that can help you. Whether you’re overwhelmed with staffing , inventory, reaching new audiences, retaining customers, or managing customer service, there are new restaurant technologies that meet even the most specific needs.
Ready to explore how voice AI can boost front-of-house productivity? Book a 10-minute demo to learn more about Slang.ai.
