Table of Contents
- What is a restaurant management system?
- Reservation & table management systems
- POS systems (Point of Sale)
- Restaurant inventory management tools
- Menu management tools
- Employee scheduling & staff management
- Restaurant website builders
- Why all this tech matters
- So, what’s the best restaurant management system?
- Final thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Running a restaurant today isn’t just about great food and good vibes. These days, successful restaurants need more than gut instinct and sticky notes. If you want to stay competitive, keep guests happy, and not lose your mind in the process, you need tech. More specifically? You need the best restaurant management software for your business.
Whether you’re a cozy café, a food truck, or a fine dining spot, restaurant management systems – free and paid – can take the weight off your shoulders and give you more time to do what you do best: feed people.
What is a restaurant management system?
A restaurant management system (RMS) is software that helps you run your restaurant more efficiently. But not all systems do the same thing. Think of it as a digital toolkit:
Reservation & Table Management
Point of Sale (POS) & Ordering
Inventory Management & Accounting Software
Menu Building
Employee Scheduling & Staff Management
Restaurant Website Builders
Some systems specialise, others try to do it all. The trick is knowing what you need.
Reservation & table management systems
This is your digital host. These systems help restaurants take reservations online, assign tables, prevent double-bookings and manage walk-ins.
Tableo
A cloud-based restaurant reservation system with a free plan that includes:
- Online reservations 24/7
- Smart table allocation
- Social media booking via WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook (no website needed)
- Customisable booking widget
- AI messaging assistant: handles all reservations and customer queries automatically through Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Other options
- OpenTable – A widely used platform that connects diners with restaurants and offers guest management tools.
- Resy – Offers advanced reservation features and is popular in the U.S. with strong analytics.
- TheFork – A leading European booking platform that integrates with TripAdvisor.
- SevenRooms – Combines reservations with CRM and guest engagement tools.
POS systems (Point of Sale)
A restaurant POS system handles ordering and payments. The best pos for you is one that is fast, intuitive and easy to train staff on.
Top POS options
- Toast POS – Feature-rich POS designed specifically for restaurants, with integrated online ordering and payroll.
- Square for Restaurants – A flexible and affordable POS option, especially great for small restaurants or food trucks.
- Lightspeed – Offers powerful inventory and analytics capabilities.
- TouchBistro – An iPad-based POS system that’s easy to use and built with restaurant owners in mind.
- Agora – A robust system popular in Spain, known for its flexibility and integration with Tableo for seamless POS and reservation management.
Restaurant inventory management tools
Track inventory, reduce waste and streamline supplier orders with these tools:
- MarketMan – Offers comprehensive inventory control, supplier management and recipe costing.
- BlueCart – Combines inventory management with order automation and supplier communication.
- xtraCHEF by Toast – Great for cost control and invoice management, especially if you’re already using Toast.
- Zoho Inventory – A general-purpose inventory tool with a free plan that’s great for startups.
Menu management tools
Keep your menu fresh, updated and accessible across platforms.
- Canva – Offers beautiful, customizable menu templates that are easy to update.
- Menufy – Provides online ordering with menu hosting and marketing support.
- UpMenu – Menu builder that includes online ordering, mobile-friendly design and promotional tools.
- GloriaFood – A free system that allows digital menu creation and online food ordering.
Employee scheduling & staff management
Managing your team effectively is crucial for smooth operations. Employee management tools help you create schedules, track time and handle shift swaps easily.
Top team management software solutions
- 7shifts – A staff scheduling platform built for the restaurant industry, offering labor cost control, communication tools and integrations with POS systems.
- Homebase – Great for small businesses, with features like scheduling, time tracking and hiring tools — all with a generous free plan.
- Deputy – A workforce management tool with powerful scheduling and attendance features, suitable for restaurants of all sizes.
- Sling – Provides scheduling, messaging and task management in one free platform.
Restaurant website builders
If you want a website, but don’t want the hassle or high cost, try these:
Traditional builders
- Wix for Restaurants – Easy drag-and-drop interface with restaurant templates and built-in online ordering.
- Squarespace – Sleek, modern design tools with e-commerce and reservation integrations.
- Tock + BentoBox – A premium solution that offers high-end restaurant websites and booking functionality.
AI website builders
Or skip the website altogether and just use Tableo’s custom booking widget on your social channels!
Why all this tech matters
Running a restaurant has never been easy. You’re juggling staffing, rising costs and changing expectations. A good RMS or restaurant software can:
- Save time and reduce errors
- Prevent no-shows
- Improve guest experience
- Offer actionable insights
- Help you scale sustainably
And with free tools like Tableo, there’s no reason not to start today.
So, what’s the best restaurant management system?
Depends on what you need and the size of your restaurant. Whether you are a small eatery or a restaurant chain, you can mix and match tools based on your needs.
- Reservations: Tableo with AI assistant
- POS platform: Agora (especially if you’re in Spain), or Square POS is a great option
- Inventory management platform: Zoho Inventory (free and flexible)
- Menu management features: Canva or GloriaFood
- Shift management: 7shifts or Homebase
- Website: Durable or 10Web, or just use Tableo’s booking links on socials
Final thoughts
Technology doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The best restaurant management platform should help restaurant owners and managers work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline operations, there’s a toolset out there for you.
Start small. Start free. Start smart with Tableo.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your restaurant’s size and needs. For many, reservation and table management are key to reducing no-shows and increasing efficiency. For others, a good POS or inventory tool may be more critical. Ideally, choose a system that integrates multiple features seamlessly.
Absolutely. Many free tools like Tableo, Zoho Inventory, or Homebase offer generous plans that cover core features. Start with free, and upgrade as your needs grow.
If you accept bookings and also process in-house orders, yes. A POS handles payments and order flow, while a reservation system prevents overbooking and manages seating. Tools like Agora POS and Tableo can integrate for a smoother operation.
Restaurant software usually refers to individual tools (e.g., a POS or a digital menu). A restaurant management system (RMS) is a more comprehensive platform that may include restaurant POS solutions, reservations, staff scheduling, inventory, and more, all in one or through integrations.
Focus on tools that reduce manual work: online reservations, smart table allocation, and shift scheduling and management. Ease of use and affordability should also be top of mind. Tableo, Square POS, and Homebase are great examples.
AI can automate customer communication (e.g., with Tableo’s AI assistant), predict staffing needs, optimize seating, and analyze customer behavior. It’s like having a digital assistant working 24/7.
Not necessarily. If most of your traffic comes from Instagram or Facebook, tools like Tableo let you take bookings directly through social media. However, having a website can still boost credibility and SEO visibility.
Square for Restaurants is often a top choice for its ease of use and affordable pricing. TouchBistro and Toast POS are also excellent, depending on your region and budget.
Ready to take your restaurant to the next level?
Get started with Tableo today and experience seamless management for restaurants of all sizes.
Free Version – Free Setup – Free Training – Free Support
Stephanie Bugeja is the dynamic Marketing Executive at Tableo, where she channels her passion for web design and UX enhancements. Known as the team’s design guru, she's always fine-tuning aesthetics and user experience with an expert touch. A true multi-tasker, Stephanie juggles projects with ease. When off the clock, she’s likely eating a cornetto in Rome.
