The Best HR Software for Restaurants in 2024

Choosing the right HR solution is critical for any small business, but it’s an especially important choice for restaurants. Food establishments can have high staff turnover as well as complicated payroll and time tracking. HR software can restaurant owners identify staffing trends, streamline HR processes, and mitigate compliance risks. We studied several options to help you choose the best HR software for your restaurant. Our picks are based on key criteria like features, pricing, ease of use and more.

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The cost of HR software can depend, in part, on add-ons and upgrades. Some offer a clear per employee, per month (PEPM) base price, which can be helpful in predicting future costs. Zenefits, for example, offers a PEPM price. Employers may add on features, such as payroll or advisory services, for an additional PEPM price. Others, such as BambooHR, offer a flat monthly rate for businesses with 20 or fewer employees. This transparent pricing is especially beneficial for smaller restaurants. Other solutions, such as Rippling, are less transparent and require that you meet with a representative to learn more. They do offer flexibility and customization, however.

Add-on fees are not uncommon when searching for the best HR software. For example, with BambooHR and Zenefits, payroll is considered an add-on. If your restaurant has the staff to efficiently manage payroll, you don’t need to worry about this. Gusto offers expert HR services support for an additional PEPM charge. This hands-on support could be extremely beneficial for restaurant owners who have a small or less experienced HR staff. Ultimately, restaurant owners must determine what best suits their needs. While some level of customization is nice, you should make sure you aren’t paying for services you don’t need.

A feature-rich restaurant HR software solution will help business owners eliminate administrative work, improve efficiency, and support employees. Here are some key features to seek out in great HR software for restaurants.

Reporting and Analytics to Address Employee Needs

HR drives business outcomes. And in an industry with high turnover, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of HR trends. Strong reporting and analytics can help restaurant owners make more informed workforce decisions. They can help identify employee wants, needs and challenges so they can be addressed in a timely manner. The service industry can be stressful, so identifying key issues among staff quickly via surveys and data can help improve the employee experience.

Mobile Access for Nondesk Employees

Ease of access should be an important consideration when selecting HR software.

Restaurant employees are less likely to be sitting at a desk, so on-the-go access to HR functions, such as benefits and payroll, is especially important. Having the ability to view and edit without a desktop can improve the HR experience for both employers and employees.

Customization Options to Improve Efficiency and Employee Experience

Not all HR software is fit for every company or industry. Customizations for functions like onboarding, reporting, and even the platform’s dashboard can greatly improve the experience for both employers and employees. Customization can help minimize human errors, increase employee satisfaction, and reduce turnover — all common problems in the fast-paced restaurant industry.

Template Libraries for Quick Onboarding, Training and More

Some HR software solutions offer template libraries for various documents, such as reports, surveys and offer letters. Templates make it easy for business owners with less HR experience to confidently create and use the documents they need most. Many onboarding documents and training information for restaurants will be similar for all staff. Having easy templates available for quick use is helpful in such a fast-paced work environment.

Third-Party Integrations Make Managing Employee Data Easy

Third-party integrations help you seamlessly manage multiple business operations. Integrations can help identify trends and important data points without having to run multiple reports across different platforms. For example, if an HR solution doesn’t include time tracking, a third-party integration can help you better record and review time as it relates to benefits, PTO and performance goals. This is especially important for restaurant owners and HR leaders given the mix of full-time and part-time staff.

Customer Service When You Need It

Given the importance of HR functions, it’s essential to have access to customer support when you need it and in the format that works best for you. The majority of HR software providers offer email and live chat, but you may find it beneficial to have phone service available as well — especially in a restaurant environment. Because it can be difficult to attract and retain top talent in the service industry, it’s critical that restaurant owners have access to the kind of HR support they need when they need it, whether that’s 24/7 or just during business hours.

Before you commit to a provider, be sure they can meet your customer service needs when and how you prefer.

Dedicated Account Manager Who Understands the Industry

Customer service is important, but a dedicated account manager means you always have one person who knows your business and is ready to address your most pressing HR issues. Continuity of service and support is one of the biggest benefits of having a single dedicated account manager. Given the challenges restaurant owners face, it can be beneficial to have a dedicated account manager who understands the industry, as well as the specific challenges of your restaurant.

Take the following steps to decide which HR software is best for your restaurant operation.

1. Conduct market research.

Most HR software vendors provide information on features and pricing on their website. However, this can be a lot of information to review and may be overwhelming if it’s your first time searching for an HR software solution. Search online for up-to-date comparison guides so you can determine how different solutions compare to one another. We also recommend reading online reviews through websites like Trustpilot.

Look for vendors who serve other restaurants. You can typically find a significant list of customers under a section on the vendor website labeled Case Studies or Testimonials. If you can’t find any, consider the features that will be most beneficial in your own restaurant. If you are uncertain about whether or not a vendor can meet your needs, make note of the features you are most concerned about so you can ask the vendor directly. It’s important to look for the right customer service as well. We really appreciate vendors that offer 24/7 customer service and dedicated account managers, but you may not need this level of support.

Compile a list of any questions you have for the vendors you are most interested in working with. If they do not have a clear pricing structure available on their website, include questions about pricing as well.

2. Contact vendors for demos.

Once you’ve determined which vendors you are most interested in, reach out to schedule a demo with each one. A demo will allow you to see the software in real time. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions about add-ons, integrations and customizations. As you walk through each demo, consider how the features vary and what you like or dislike.

We also recommend that you sign up for any free trials offered. This will allow you to test out the usability of each platform and dashboard. Since you and your employees will be interacting with the platform regularly, it’s important you find it intuitive or very easy to learn. As you work through the free trial, write down any additional questions you may have. For example, you may want to know how to complete a certain task or where to find templates and other resources. Write down these questions so you can review them with your contact during — or at the completion of — your free trial.

3. Evaluate pricing.

In some cases, vendors will provide clear pricing on their website. In others, you will need to request a pricing quote after you’ve determined what features you will need. Carefully compare what each package or plan includes. You want to ensure you receive the most bang for your buck. In addition, confirm that any features essential to your HR operations are included or available at an additional rate.

Below are some key ways in which HR software for restaurants can benefit your operations and bottom line.

• Better HR data insights. Using the right HR software can help you better keep track of talent acquisition efforts, benefits use, payroll and performance management. Having good data helps restaurant owners make more informed business decisions, which can lead to happier employees and greater profits.
• Reduced administrative time. Many HR functions take a significant amount of administrative time. HR software can eliminate some of the time required to file taxes, onboard new employees, or support benefits enrollment. This is especially helpful given the fast pace of the restaurant industry.
• Expert support. Restaurant owners and HR practitioners will appreciate the support provided by the right HR software. It can help eliminate compliance issues and automate essential processes sometimes impacted by human error.
• Improved user experience and accessibility. Most HR software solutions now include access to a mobile app. Since restaurant employees don’t spend time sitting at a desktop, it’s helpful to have a mobile app that allows them to complete documents, update benefits information, or set performance goals on the go. Restaurant owners will appreciate the ability to maintain one primary dashboard for HR.
• Add-ons and integrations. Third-party applications can help improve your HR software solution. For example, you might integrate services like background checks, employee mental health support, or employee recognition awards. Integrating other tools can help restaurant owners streamline processes and track important information in one place.