Part of running a successful restaurant is controlling your costs and inventory. However, the hectic life of a restaurant owner or manager doesn’t always lend itself to running reports and filing paperwork. Investing in restaurant management software is one step in simplifying your filing system and tracking everything from menu sales to payroll.
There are many restaurant management software programs available. Some act as a POS (Point of Sale) while others integrate your entire accounting system into one software program. Many restaurant management software programs incorporate profit and loss statements, cash flow analysis and routine banking into one, easy to use program. Although most restaurant management software doesn’t come cheap, it can save you a lot of time and money in the end.
A good restaurant management software system will improve your business in many ways, including:
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find Out What Menu Items are Popular
Restaurant management software programs can quickly tell you what your most popular menu items are. This allows you to update your restaurant menu accordingly. Software for restaurant management also lets you update specials in your POS quickly and easily. With a POS system linking the dining room, kitchen and bar, customer orders never get lost, increasing the speed and efficiency of your staff.
I recommend: POSguys.com offer easy to set-up POS systems that are as simple as plugging in a cord. They carry dine-in POS systems as well as take-out POS systems, both of which have built-in payment processing for debit and credit cards.
RestTech.com also carries a line of POS systems that simplify menu ordering and ensure quick service for customers.
Keep Track of Your Payroll with Software for Restaurant Management
With old fashion time clocks, it is hard to know exactly how high your payroll is creeping. With restaurant management software programs, you can see exactly where your payroll is at with the click of a button. Incorporating payroll into restaurant management software also cuts back on bookkeeping costs and can help simplify the process of making the weekly schedule.
I recommend: Executouch.com restaurant management system helps you prepare payroll, as well as calculate taxes and tip reporting. It also allows you to write your own checks, prepare annual W2's and quarterly reports.
RestaurantPlus PRO offers a fully integrated restaurant management system that includes a built-in time clock, payroll calculations and employee scheduling functions.
Know Where Your Money is Going
With well integrated restaurant software systems, you can track every dollar you spend, from payroll to paid outs for office supplies. This can help cut down on unnecessary spending. Restaurant management software systems also hold servers accountable for all their sales, cutting down on employee theft.
I recommend: Quickbooks Pro, from the makers of Quicken, is a very user-friendly program that allows restaurant owners to keep track of multiple bank accounts, as well track expenses and income.
CASH TRRAP is another restaurant accounting software that simplifies bookkeeping and cash flow analysis.
Protect Your Customer's Personal Information
Credit card theft is a disturbing new trend in the restaurant and retail industry. Employees with access to customer's credit cards are a possible liability to you, the business owner. You can protect your customer's personal information from potential theft with restaurant management software that includes extra security measures.
I recommend: Portable credit card terminals ensure that a customer’s credit card never leaves his or her hand.
Total Merchant Services carries several portable credit card models.
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