Cost out your recipes

Accurate recipe costing can put you on the fast track to success. With the right figures, you can easily identify your most profitable menu items as well as items that aren't cost-effective. Software programs eliminate human error in this crucial area.

I recommend: Download a demo of OCLite, a food and recipe-costing software program that helps you adjust menu prices based on recipe costs so you can maximize profits. Try a trial version of CostGuard, which suggests selling prices based on recipe costs. Or download iPro recipe-costing software.

Reservations and table management

Reservation software can help you reduce no-shows, take reservations from your Web site, identify VIPs and regulars, track customer preferences, capture customer contact information, and more. It can also help you maximize table management and improve your guest management.

I recommend: Check out iMagic Restaurant Reservation or RCMS, or enroll with an online reservations system, such as OpenTable.com.

Control and track inventory

In the restaurant business, controlling inventory is crucial in order to minimize waste and to avoid running out of necessary ingredients.

I recommend: Compeat Restaurant Accounting Systems features a comprehensive inventory control feature that allows for customization.

Ordering and purchasing

Look for software that streamlines the ordering and purchasing process so you can concentrate on revenue-generating activities.

I recommend: The ordering and purchasing feature of ChefTec compares vendor bids, places orders based on the lowest cost, converts orders into invoices and transfers invoices into your accounting system.

Menu design

If you make frequent changes to your menu or you simply don't want the hassle and expense of hiring a graphic designer, use software that helps you create designer-quality menus.

I recommend: MenuPro includes more than 100 pre-designed menu styles, hundreds of food illustrations and even a culinary spell-checker

Staff scheduling

Every restaurant owner knows that scheduling employees can be a real headache. When performed manually, the task is time-consuming and often results in mistakes, such as understaffing or overstaffing.

I recommend: ScheduleWriter is a useful software tool that lets you create daily, weekly or monthly schedules in minutes. It also minimizes overstaffing and understaffing problems and alerts you to scheduling conflicts.