8 Best Restaurant Automation Software To Use In 2024

Top 8 Restaurant Automation Software To Use Right Now!

Let's talk about some of the best restaurant automation tools to assist you in simplifying everyday tasks, making better decisions, and obtaining more insights from your existing data.

1. Xenia - Overall Best Restaurant Automation Software

Xenia restaurant management automation software is for business owners and managers looking to simultaneously optimize their BOH restaurant and customer-facing operations. 

In that order, the AI functionality is just part of the many things that the software helps you to do; there’s plenty more where it came from.

Starting off with a robust integrated AI-powered restaurant SOP creator, you get full access to a nifty tool. 

Got a particular requirement centered around day-to-day restaurant operations, employee training and accountability, asset management, cleaning activity, some sort of critical food safety process etc.? 

Don’t worry. 

Get instant help from the in-app A. I tool to create detailed SOPs for your restaurant. 

The best part? These SOPs are fully customizable and easily shareable with your internal team, as well as external stakeholders. The share button comes in handy whenever you need to share your standard restaurant sops with someone from inside or outside the organization. 

Ready to use SOPs restaurant? Simply print them, and hand them over to the designated teams to start the process. Alternatively, this restaurant automation app also lets you create identical checklists and work orders if you are looking to directly engage your restaurant staff through the in-app interface.

Moving on, you can oversee each ongoing activity in real-time. We call them restaurant work orders; they are digital tasks that you can assign to anyone; anywhere!

The end result? 

You are looking at a fully-fledged restaurant operations software with state-of-the-art AI solutions that can cater to critical workflows concerning restaurant FSMA compliance, maintenance processes, inspections, audits, HACCP compliance, food safety in general, and just about anything ranging over different priority levels.

All of these activities are managed through a dedicated dashboard that’s centralizaed. So, whether it’s a single restaurant location or a thriving multi-location operation, managers have that peace of mind where they can easily monitor the entire restaurant task management process through completion stages in real-time.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the game-changing features that are part of this constantly updated tool!

Key Features

• Temperature Monitoring: Use mobile Bluetooth probe-based temperature synchronization to automatically check fridge and freezer temperatures at regular intervals and get warnings of any deviations to assure food safety.
• Digital Checklists: Got a use-case for any number of restaurant operations? Get it done through fully customizable restaurant checklists from an ever-growing repository of templates that you can download and personalize to your restaurant’s requirements from the get-go. 
• Operational Templates: Develop custom inspection forms, evaluate health and food hygiene with weighted scoring, investigate places using geo stamps, and utilize QR codes for access inspections and checklists. 
• Tasks and Work Orders: The comprehensive task assignment tools enable you to plan Kitchen BOH d duties, ensuring that they are executed on time and responsibly.
• Chats: Make collaboration simpler by using direct messages, group messaging, and inspection-related comment threads. Address issues immediately and encourage team members to address them openly.
• Reporting: Create complete restaurant inspection reports and analytics, manage multiple locations' access permissions and restrictions, and receive actionable insights to promote operational improvements. 
• Dedicated Learning Center For Increased Accountability: Seeing the fact that new team members need to be trained to bring them up to speed, Xenia has a dedicated learning center addressing an arsenal of resources for restaurant professionals etc.
• Corrective actions: Create corrective measures based on inspection results, using conditional logic to adapt responses to specific circumstances. Monitor the status of corrective activities to verify that they are completed on time and in compliance.
  

Pricing 

• Free Forever: Free trial for up to 5 people, with access to all basic features. 
• Starter: $99 per month for the first 15 users, giving unlimited access to core features. 
• Premium(*Best Value): $199 per month for the first 15 users, including unrestricted access to all the key features & advanced functionality. 
• For Multi-Location Businesses: Got a multi-location restaurant or a food business setup? Feel free to contact our sales team for special pricing.
• Custom: Do you require anything specifically customized to your organization?

Book a free demo today!

2. APICBASE

APICBASE is another best restaurant automation software for inventory management.

The tool caters to the needs of companies, chains, and organizations in the food industry This feature-rich software, allows users to simplify and accelerate processes and drive more efficiency.

APICBASE Food Management provides a variety of features including order fulfillment, alerts, notifications, quality control, and multi-channel management. APICBASE's extensive capabilities make it easier for restaurants and food industry businesses to manage their inventory across several channels or places where their product is sold.

Also, APICBASE Food Management is a web-based application which means that users can access it from anywhere in the world at any given time. This is very beneficial to restaurant managers because that means that they can have any information they may need on their inventory right at their fingertips. 

Key Features

• Streamline inventory tracking and management procedures to improve stock levels and eliminate waste. 
• Barcode technology makes it simple to scan and monitor inventory products, allowing for effective inventory control. 
• Monitor and track incoming deliveries to ensure that items arrive on schedule.
• Enable online ordering for customers, resulting in a more smooth and convenient eating experience.
  Set reminders for key activities like inventory restocking and supplier follow-ups to help you keep organized and proactive.
• A unified activity dashboard provides a real-time view of inventory levels, order status, and other vital indicators.

Pricing 

• Contact vendor

3. Plate IQ

Plate IQ automates the tedious tasks associated with managing your restaurant’s bills and invoices, saving you time and letting you focus a high-level finance and operational tasks that matter, like developing forecasts and working directly with your team to improve margins.

Even better, the software auto-generates detailed data from bills and receipts, which could prove extremely useful for efficiency insights, and vendor payments and invoicing. This automation means a lower likelihood of any error, while at the same time speeding up the whole payment process in addition to assuring accuracy.

Plate IQ is a centralized platform that seamlessly monitors all financial information whether you’re operating one restaurant or a whole chain.

Key Features

• Streamline vendor contacts and paperwork to ensure effective communication and management of supplier relationships. 
• Automate the creation of bills and invoices to save time and reduce mistakes caused by human data entry. 
• Implement customized approval procedures to guarantee that all invoices and payments follow defined rules and standards.
• Integrate easily with accounting systems to provide accurate and efficient general ledger entry while ensuring compliance and financial transparency. 
• Simplify check printing by automating check production and delivery, decreasing administrative expenses, and increasing payment accuracy.

Pricing 

• Contact Vendor

4. ClickUp

ClickUp is a cloud-based project management software mainly focused on managing your operations way more efficiently and increasing interaction between users by providing valuable feedback.

As a business owner, you recognize how vital it is to simplify our operations and cut costs wherever feasible.

While ClickUp may not improve your cooking skills, it is extremely well-suited for restaurant operations and offers several features that can assist in streamlining your day-to-day operations in addition to project management, an AI writing assistance uses powerful NLP (Natural Language Processing) techniques to help you write more effectively than before.

Key Features

• AI-powered solutions help restaurant owners and managers easily manage inventory, improve customer service, and solve other operational needs. 
• ClickUp's writing helper easily facilitates brainstorming sessions, gives outlines, and generates appealing text. 
• ClickUp's AI technology simplifies complex information into manageable representations with a single click. ClickUp's purpose is to simplify repetitive activities, and the no-code automation functionality makes good on that promise. 
• ClickUp's AI-powered solutions are available on several platforms, including web browsers, desktop apps, and mobile devices, allowing for seamless collaboration and task management.

Pricing 

• Free
• Unlimited - $7
• Bussiness - $12
• Enterprise - Contact vendor 

5. Zira AI

Zira AI is the best restaurant automation software featuring a full-fledged workforce management platform created exclusively for the restaurant industry.

The comprehensive suite of automated features, including employee scheduling, time & attendance management, and payroll tracking means more optimized labor decisions and greater overall productivity.

Zira most notably optimizes employee scheduling. The smart scheduling algorithms create the most optimal employee shifts based on worker availability, worker preference, and operational needs. By doing so, Zira can minimize employee turnover rates and generate higher workforce satisfaction rates.

Key Features 

• Zira's timeclock function simplifies payroll and labor compliance by accurately documenting employee working hours.
• The software allows staff to quickly request and manage shift swaps, promoting collaboration and scheduling flexibility.
• Real-time alerts for schedule revisions, shift assignments, and other vital information improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.
• Uses data analytics and predictive algorithms to help restaurants estimate workforce demands and improve scheduling efficiency.
• The employee portal provides a shared platform for employees to check their schedules, request time off, see pay stubs, and communicate with management, so enhancing transparency and employee engagement.
• Real-time information on labor expenditures, staff attendance, and scheduling efficiency enables managers to make data-driven decisions. 

Pricing 

• Contact Vendor 

6. HD Scores

Moving on in our list of best restaurant automation software, HDScores restaurant has changed the way customers engage with food restaurants by providing critical health inspection data.

HDScores empowers users with AI tools to verify restaurant compliance with sanitation, safety, and hygiene guidelines set out by local health departments.

With HDScores, customers have objective data they can use as an indicator of how committed a restaurant is to public health standards. When you want to check the latest inspection results or review historical ratings- HDScores provides you with everything you need to be confident in the food you are eating.

Key Features 

• Users can quickly access registered violations for a specific food location. 
• HDScores employs graphics to indicate health department grades, allowing consumers to quickly check compliance. 
• Users can easily find highly rated food options in their region, saving time and effort while exploring new neighborhoods or planning a night out. 
• Customers may access information on a wide range of food establishments, from crowded city eateries to small curbside platforms, allowing them to make informed decisions wherever their culinary adventures take them. 

Pricing 

• Starts from $1.99

7. LunchBox

Lunchbox is innovating the restaurant technology industry. Providing restaurants with a comprehensive online ordering system and order management platform that integrates with the most popular POS solutions on the market.

Lunchbox is empowering real restaurants to own their values, brand, and customers without relying on third parties.

With a custom-built web and mobile product, Lunchbox allows restaurant owners to utilize and control the most important platform out there.

They achieve this by personalizing every interaction a user has with a restaurant and providing each brand with a very exclusive and customized set of tools to do just that.

Lunchbox supports restaurant order throttling, which limits the number of orders accepted by a restaurant during busy times to ensure efficient operations can be maintained.

They also offer menu updates in real-time so that if a restaurant runs out of a certain food or has to make a change they can do it immediately without having to reach out to a third party. They also offer a wide range of reporting for restaurants. This allows restaurants to monitor their growth and see what type of food is more popular in orders.

Key Features

• Track delivery orders from the minute they leave the restaurant until they arrive at the customer's door, assuring prompt and efficient service. 
• Efficiently manage delivery dispatches, allocating drivers to orders and optimizing routes to reduce delivery time.
• Streamline the dispatching process for food delivery, ensuring that orders are assigned and executed on time to satisfy client expectations.
• Easy management tools allow you to edit and update menu items and ingredients easily.
• Customers may follow their orders in real-time, from preparation to delivery. 
• Implement a customized loyalty program to reward loyal customers and encourage repeat business, increasing customer retention and engagement.

Pricing 

• Contact Vendor

8. Leafe(A.K.A Leafe App)

Leafe, another top contender in the market for the best restaurant automation software, focuses on encouraging healthy habits that improve kitchen hygiene.

Leafe is a comprehensive solution designed to suit the demands of auditors and general managers alike, assuring compliance with restaurant safety standards and laws.

Leafe helps users comply with HACCP and local government standards by giving in-app recommendations.

Complying with hygiene standards becomes easier when users are given clear instructions and tangible procedures to remain compliant and maintain an efficient kitchen.

Key Features 

• One of Leafe's most prominent features is its ability to monitor and control food and refrigerator temperatures accurately.
• Leafe assures that food items are stored and cooked at optimal temperatures, lowering the risk of foodborne illness and ensuring compliance with safety laws. 
• allows users to obtain professional support. Whether speaking with food safety experts or seeking guidance in implementing best practices
• Leafe ensures that users have access to the tools they require to maintain high kitchen standards and safeguard their establishment's reputation.

Pricing 

• Contact Vendor

What is Restaurant Automation?

Restaurant automation is changing the restaurant game. By using Robots and automation services, many things can be done with ease.

These meta-bots can do almost anything and help with whatever you need in the restaurant from cooking the food to serving it.

Businesses are incorporating technology to help their customers get through a faster, smoother modality. From e-commerce and digital marketing to streamlining kitchen operations and optimizing fulfillment, these innovations have brought massive efficiency and convenience gains for both businesses and consumers.

Although full automation may still be far off, many eateries have begun implementing automated technology across their businesses. A few notable examples include

• Little Caesar’s experimenting with pizza-making robots
• McDonald’s working on automated drive-thrus
• White Castle and CaliBurger embracing Flippy, the burger-flipping robot
• Starbucks and their AI-enabled coffee-making machines.

Benefits of Restaurant Automation

The fact that over 90% of the leading companies are using automation tools gives a big hint at how beneficial it is to the productivity of a business. So, let's talk about why incorporating AI tools in small business operations can be a game-changer.

Cost Cutting: By automating a multitude of manual tasks, AI significantly slashes operational costs for small businesses. From optimizing inventory management to automating routine tasks, AI-driven solutions help in cutting down unnecessary expenses, ultimately bolstering the bottom line.

‍Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Restaurant automation has the incredible ability to optimize restaurant operations by automating manual tasks. This not only saves time but also reduces the chance of human error, allowing employees to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Tailored Customer Service: Modern restaurant management software and chatbots provide tailored customer experiences at scale, increasing customer retention and revenue. Restaurants may use artificial intelligence to personalize their services to individual interests, resulting in greater client connections.

Reduced Workforce: According to studies, 81% of office workers feel artificial intelligence improves job performance. In the restaurant business, AI helps managers extend their operations by automating day-to-day tasks. With AI taking over monotonous jobs that were previously handled by humans, employees can now focus on more strategic initiatives like problem-solving and creativity.

Higher Profits: The combination of improved productivity, labor, and total cost reductions eventually leads to higher profitability for restaurants. Businesses may use automated solutions to optimize their operations, maximize income, and promote long-term growth.

AI Back of House Systems for Restaurants

The back-of-house (BOH) operations in restaurants are run considerably more effectively with the use of the best restaurant automation software. 

Whether it’s task management, reporting, or shift scheduling, the latest software solutions for BOSH have been designed to seamlessly integrate into current working processes and guarantee to streamline every aspect of your restaurant's back-of-house output.

Inventory Management

Out of all food waste, the highest issue in the food service is Inventory and supply management. Restaurant operators can address this using AI inventory solutions integrated into restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems, to less wastage and effectively and efficiently. 65% of restaurateurs use computerized inventory management in their restaurants. 

They can monitor and control supply and are equipped to manage their inventory purchase data by way of this system effectively, hence regulating waste and food costs.

Data-Based Insights

Data science is employed to generate valid, data-driven insights into the food industry. One of the most efficient uses of data science in the food industry is identifying when and how to sell products in a restaurant or food sector based on customer habits and market trends. This improves restaurant competitiveness by lowering wasted inventory and labor costs. 

Kitchen Automation

AI-driven kitchen automation software speeds up meal preparation and increases kitchen productivity. Back-of-house operations are simplified by systems like automated cooking machines and robotic kitchen helpers, which prepare meals reliably and improve workflow efficiency, letting chefs focus on the food being served.

AI Chatbots

AI-powered chatbots serve clients immediately by answering questions, processing orders, and offering support 24 hours a day, seven days a week instant response reduces client wait times, allowing organizations to create seamless customer experiences across numerous channels while maintaining a competitive advantage.

Work-Order Optimization

Another change that has been brought upon by the automation software is the ability to optimize tasks and work order management.

Previously people would have to manually handle and coordinate tasks like meal preparation, cleaning schedules, and inventory management which would result in time consumption and error. Nowadays, with the help of automation, these tasks are scheduled and executed in a smart system mode making it efficient and non-downtime software.

Wrapping It Up

In summary, AI is driving some profound changes in the restaurant industry. While it may be obvious to some why AI solutions like Xenia are an advantage for your restaurant.

The majority of restaurants (76%) currently use automation in three or more areas of business, and they believe that some positions are more automatable than others.

With restaurant industry leaders and innovators leading the charge by integrating restaurant automation technology in one form or another.

On that note, we recommend getting started with a free plan on any software of your choosing. Match the program's features with your particular business requirements, and see how things pan out.

If all goes well, you can ultimately switched to a paid plan and take things from there.

Good luck!