7 Best Scheduling Software For Restaurants In 2024
byAre you losing sleep over staff schedules and watching profits disappear due to inefficient shifts? Restaurant managers often feel overwhelmed by the constant balance between staff availability and operational efficiency, leading to frustration with employees and management.
The good news is that the best scheduling software for restaurants can streamline this challenging process, increasing employee satisfaction and your bottom line.
Key takeaways
Here are the key things to know about restaurant scheduling software in 2024:
- AI-driven forecasting uses historical data to predict busy periods, ensuring optimal staffing levels at all times.
- Real-time communication features allow instant updates and shift swaps, reducing no-shows and improving staff flexibility.
- Integration with point-of-sale (POS) and payroll systems streamlines operations and provides accurate labor cost tracking.
- Mobile accessibility enables staff to view schedules, clock in and out, and manage availability from their smartphones.
- Customizable templates and role-based scheduling save time and ensure all essential positions are covered for each shift.
Table of contents
Explore these top restaurant staff scheduling software solutions to streamline your workforce management:
Key features to look for in employee scheduling software for restaurants
In an industry where understaffing is a critical issue, with 27% of all restaurants operating 6% to 10% below necessary staffing levels as of November 2022, efficient scheduling is more important than ever.
The right employee scheduling software can optimize staff allocation and improve restaurant managers’ overall operational efficiency. Consider these essential features when evaluating scheduling solutions for restaurants.
Automated scheduling features and templates
Automated scheduling features and customizable templates are essential for efficient restaurant management. These tools leverage historical data and preset rules to generate optimized schedules, saving managers countless hours of manual work.
Templates tailored to specific restaurant roles (e.g., kitchen staff, servers, hosts) allow for quick schedule creation and easy adjustments. In restaurants, last-minute changes are common, and understaffing can negatively affect sales and service.
Integrated time clock
An integrated time clock synchronizes staff check-ins and check-outs with the scheduling system, offering real-time visibility into labor hours and costs. The feature eliminates discrepancies between scheduled and actual hours worked, ensuring accurate payroll processing and compliance.
Restaurant managers can use this feature to identify patterns of tardiness or overtime that require attention, helping to improve staff efficiency. It also simplifies the payroll process, reducing administrative burden and minimizing errors that could lead to employee dissatisfaction or legal issues.
Shift swapping capabilities
Employees can swap shifts collaboratively, fostering autonomy and improving work-life balance. Staff members trade shifts or find replacements when conflicts arise, reducing no-shows and minimizing manager involvement.
Flexible scheduling options boost employee satisfaction and retention in the high-turnover restaurant industry. The feature ensures shift coverage during unexpected personal issues, maintaining service quality and operational efficiency.
Staff communication features
Communication tools within scheduling software streamline information flow between management and staff. In-app messaging and push notifications keep teams informed about updates, policy changes, and events.
Effective communication proves crucial in restaurants, where menu changes, promotions, and staffing adjustments are frequent. The integrated platform reduces miscommunication, ensures prompt information delivery, and promotes team collaboration.
Restaurant staff scheduling software comparison table
Here’s an overview of the leading restaurant staff scheduling software solutions:
| Product | Price | Features | Pros | Cons | Free trial |
When I Work | Paid plans start at $1.50/user/month | Employee scheduling, time tracking, team messaging | User-friendly, comprehensive features, payroll integration | Learning curve for some users | Yes |
Homebase | Free plan, premium starts at $24.95/location/month for unlimited employees | Time clock, team communication, HR tools | Robust free plan, employee self-service portal | Limited customization in free version | Yes |
Deputy | Starts at $6/user/month | AI-powered auto-scheduling, time & attendance | Excellent mobile app, compliance features | Can be pricey for larger teams | Yes |
Sling | Free plan, premium starts at $2/user/month | Shift scheduling, task management, newsfeed | Easy to use, multiple schedule templates | Limited customization options, basic integrations | Yes |
ZoomShift | Free plan, premium starts at $2/user/month | Drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS time clock | Simple interface, affordable pricing | Limited advanced features | Yes |
7shifts | Free plan, premium starts at $34.99/location/month Up to 30 employees | Labor cost optimization, team communication | Restaurant-specific features, POS integrations | More expensive for multi-location businesses | Yes |
Buddy Punch | Starts at $3.99/user/month billed annually | Geofencing, PTO management, job costing | Customizable punch-in options, detailed reports | Interface can be overwhelming initially | Yes |
Top 7 restaurant staff scheduling software
Finding the best scheduling software for restaurants can significantly improve your operations and staff management. Here are seven restaurant scheduling software solutions to boost productivity and efficiency.
1. When I Work
Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Employee scheduling software
- Time clock
- Team messaging
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
- Shift swapping and availability management
When I Work stands out as a comprehensive solution for restaurant managers seeking to streamline their operations. The employee scheduling software goes beyond basic shift planning, offering a suite of tools designed to enhance productivity and communication.
The platform’s time clock feature ensures accurate tracking of hours worked, while the team messaging function fosters seamless communication among staff.
When I Work sets itself apart with its user-friendly mobile app, allowing managers and employees to access schedules, request time off, and swap shifts from anywhere. Such flexibility leads to increased employee satisfaction and reduced no-shows.
Pricing: When I Work is available starting from $1.50 per user for the Essentials plan.
2. Homebase
Rating: 4.2/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Time tracking and attendance
- Team communication
- Employee scheduling
Homebase offers a user-friendly interface for managing restaurant staff schedules and time tracking. The platform excels in individual employee monitoring and team communication, making it suitable for smaller establishments or food service businesses.
Some limitations, however, may be restrictive for businesses with complex organizational structures, such as limited customization options for user roles.
Pricing: Homebase offers a payroll add-on for $39 monthly base fee plus $6 per active employee.
3. Deputy
Rating: 4.6/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Shift scheduling
- Time and attendance tracking
- Team communication
Deputy offers user-friendly shift scheduling and time tracking for restaurant staff. Managers benefit from the platform’s comprehensive reporting capabilities, which provide insight into workforce performance.
When compared to When I Work, Deputy might fall short in certain areas. According to user reviews, the software experiences performance issues during busy periods and lacks flexibility for managing staff availability and leave requests, potentially creating challenges for both employees and managers.
Pricing: Deputy’s premium plan starts at $6 per user per month, billed monthly.
4. Sling
Rating: 4.4/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Employee scheduling and time tracking
- Team communication and task management
- Labor cost optimization
Sling stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive communication tools, making it easier for restaurant teams to stay connected and informed. Managers can optimize labor costs by streamlining scheduling processes with the platform.
However, Sling has a few downsides as compared to When I Work. Its notification system can be excessive for some users (as reported on G2), and the interface has a learning curve that may initially hinder feature discovery and usability.
Pricing: Sling’s Business plan, which includes payroll integration, is priced at $3.40 per user per month.
5. ZoomShift
Rating: 4.9/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Advanced scheduling templates
- Time tracking and attendance management
- Employee communication tools
ZoomShift streamlines the scheduling process, allowing managers to create schedules months in advance with minimal time investment. With its user-friendly interface and customizable scheduling templates, the platform reduces administrative time significantly.
Bulk editing becomes a complex task due to the platform’s inability to differentiate between individual and copied shifts, according to users on G2. Occasional scheduling conflicts demand increased manager vigilance to avoid errors in ZoomShift.
Pricing: ZoomShift’s plans start at $2.50 per active team member monthly.
6. 7shifts
Rating: 4.5/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Employee scheduling and shift trading
- Team communication and task management
- Sales and labor percentage tracking
7shifts offers a comprehensive solution for restaurant staff management, excelling in flexibility and communication. The platform’s mobile app empowers managers to track important metrics, make announcements, and adjust schedules on the go.
However, 7shifts might pale in comparison with When I Work. Users on G2 report that 7shifts experiences synchronization issues during concurrent editing and produces unclear schedule printouts, particularly for multi-role employees.
Pricing: 7shifts offers payroll integration as an add-on to any plan for $39.99 per month per location, plus $6 per month for each employee paid.
7. Buddy Punch
Rating: 4.8/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Simple digital time tracking
- Mobile app for easy clock in and out
- Customizable PTO accrual
Buddy Punch stands out for its user-friendly interface and straightforward design, making it easy for employees to adapt quickly. The platform’s mobile app allows for convenient time tracking from anywhere, enhancing flexibility for both on-site and remote workers.
Some users say that customer support’s slower response times may leave users hanging when urgent issues arise, while the reporting system’s inability to save preferences forces tedious reconfiguration of settings for new reports.
Pricing: Buddy Punch’s plans start at $3.99 per user per month when billed annually, with a $19 base fee per month.
Keep your restaurant running smoothly with employee scheduling from When I Work
When I Work stands out from competitors by offering a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for restaurant staff management. It combines intuitive scheduling tools with robust time tracking, attendance monitoring, and team communication features, making it one of the best scheduling software for restaurants.
Unlock the power of optimized restaurant staffing by starting your free trial today and experiencing firsthand how this transformative scheduling software streamlines workforce management.
