Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform offering payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics for foodservice businesses.
- 2#2: Restaurant365 - Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software designed specifically for multi-location restaurants.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - POS system with inventory management, online ordering, and staff scheduling tailored for restaurants and hospitality.
- 4#4: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS solution for full-service restaurants featuring menu management, tableside ordering, and reporting.
- 5#5: MarketMan - Inventory and procurement platform that automates purchasing, recipe costing, and waste tracking for food businesses.
- 6#6: CrunchTime - Enterprise operations management software for foodservice chains handling scheduling, inventory, and compliance.
- 7#7: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS with integrated payments, inventory, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
- 8#8: Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage - ERP system for food manufacturers managing production, traceability, quality control, and supply chain compliance.
- 9#9: Aptean Food & Beverage ERP - Industry-specific ERP for food processing with lot traceability, formula management, and regulatory reporting.
- 10#10: Revel Systems - Cloud POS platform for restaurants with kitchen display, loyalty programs, and multi-location support.
These tools were selected based on their ability to deliver robust functionality, intuitive design, consistent performance, and strong value, ensuring they address the diverse demands of food businesses, from small eateries to large enterprises.
Comparison Table
Explore a curated comparison of leading food industry software, including Toast, Restaurant365, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, MarketMan, and more. This table breaks down key features, pricing structures, and ideal use cases to help businesses identify the perfect tool for their operations, whether managing POS systems, inventory, or daily workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform offering payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics for foodservice businesses. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Restaurant365 Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software designed specifically for multi-location restaurants. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Restaurant POS system with inventory management, online ordering, and staff scheduling tailored for restaurants and hospitality. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS solution for full-service restaurants featuring menu management, tableside ordering, and reporting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | MarketMan Inventory and procurement platform that automates purchasing, recipe costing, and waste tracking for food businesses. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | CrunchTime Enterprise operations management software for foodservice chains handling scheduling, inventory, and compliance. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS with integrated payments, inventory, and team management for small to medium restaurants. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage ERP system for food manufacturers managing production, traceability, quality control, and supply chain compliance. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Aptean Food & Beverage ERP Industry-specific ERP for food processing with lot traceability, formula management, and regulatory reporting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Revel Systems Cloud POS platform for restaurants with kitchen display, loyalty programs, and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform offering payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics for foodservice businesses.
Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software designed specifically for multi-location restaurants.
POS system with inventory management, online ordering, and staff scheduling tailored for restaurants and hospitality.
iPad-based POS solution for full-service restaurants featuring menu management, tableside ordering, and reporting.
Inventory and procurement platform that automates purchasing, recipe costing, and waste tracking for food businesses.
Enterprise operations management software for foodservice chains handling scheduling, inventory, and compliance.
Affordable POS with integrated payments, inventory, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
ERP system for food manufacturers managing production, traceability, quality control, and supply chain compliance.
Industry-specific ERP for food processing with lot traceability, formula management, and regulatory reporting.
Cloud POS platform for restaurants with kitchen display, loyalty programs, and multi-location support.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based POS and restaurant management platform offering payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics for foodservice businesses.
Integrated Toast Payments with competitive rates, instant payouts, and seamless POS reconciliation
Toast is a cloud-based, all-in-one POS and restaurant management platform tailored for the food service industry. It streamlines operations with features like point-of-sale processing, inventory management, online ordering, kitchen display systems, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. Designed exclusively for restaurants, Toast provides real-time analytics, integrated payments, and scalability from single locations to enterprise chains.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific features including menu management and kitchen displays
- Seamless integrations with delivery services and accounting software
- Robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher cost for smaller operations
- Hardware purchase often required
- Customer support can be inconsistent during peak times
Best For
Restaurants, bars, and food service businesses of all sizes seeking a scalable, industry-specific management platform.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month for Starter plan (POS Essentials), $89-$165/month for Core and Growth plans; custom enterprise pricing; hardware and processing fees extra.
Restaurant365
enterpriseIntegrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software designed specifically for multi-location restaurants.
Seamless accounting-operations integration that automatically reconciles POS sales data with GL entries and inventory for precise cost control
Restaurant365 is a cloud-based all-in-one management platform tailored for the restaurant industry, integrating accounting, operations, inventory management, scheduling, and payroll into a single system. It seamlessly connects with major POS providers like Toast, Square, and NCR to deliver real-time data on sales, labor costs, and inventory levels. Designed for multi-location operators, it provides robust reporting, recipe costing, and AP/AR automation to optimize profitability and streamline back-office processes.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of accounting and operations data for accurate financial insights
- Strong multi-location support with centralized reporting and inventory control
- Excellent POS integrations and real-time analytics for informed decision-making
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit single-location or small independent restaurants
- Implementation can take several weeks with data migration challenges
Best For
Multi-unit restaurant groups and chains seeking an enterprise-grade solution for unified back-office and operations management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $400-$600 per location per month, scaling with users, locations, and add-ons.
Lightspeed Restaurant
specializedPOS system with inventory management, online ordering, and staff scheduling tailored for restaurants and hospitality.
Unified KDS that routes orders intelligently to kitchen printers or screens with customizable bump screens and expediter views
Lightspeed Restaurant is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, and food service businesses, handling everything from order entry and table management to payment processing and inventory control. It offers front-of-house tools like handheld ordering devices and kitchen display systems (KDS), alongside back-of-house features such as recipe costing, supplier management, and staff scheduling. With robust integrations for delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, it enables seamless online ordering and multi-channel sales.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with delivery apps and accounting software
- Advanced inventory and recipe management for precise cost control
- Scalable for single locations to enterprise chains with real-time reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can add up for smaller operations
- Initial setup and customization may require training
- Occasional reports of sync issues during peak hours
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants, multi-location chains, and full-service establishments needing robust table management and delivery integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Starter plan), with Essential ($109), Standard ($149), and custom Enterprise options; plus hardware, processing fees (2.6% + $0.10), and add-ons.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS solution for full-service restaurants featuring menu management, tableside ordering, and reporting.
Interactive floor plan-based table management for real-time seating, waitlist handling, and server assignments
TouchBistro is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed exclusively for restaurants, bars, and food service businesses. It streamlines operations with features like table management, order routing to kitchen displays, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and payment processing. The platform supports offline mode for uninterrupted service during internet outages and integrates with loyalty programs, online ordering, and accounting tools.
Pros
- Tailored restaurant-specific tools like advanced table mapping and course management
- Robust offline capabilities and reliable iPad-based hardware
- Extensive integrations with delivery services, payroll, and accounting software
Cons
- Higher pricing that may strain smaller operations
- Occasional glitches in updates and slower customer support response times
- Limited flexibility for non-traditional food service setups like food trucks
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars seeking a comprehensive, industry-specific POS with strong front-of-house and back-of-house management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $69/month per terminal (Essentials plan) up to $165/month (Premium); hardware bundles from $500+; no long-term contracts required.
MarketMan
specializedInventory and procurement platform that automates purchasing, recipe costing, and waste tracking for food businesses.
Automated smart ordering that predicts needs based on sales data and historical usage
MarketMan is a cloud-based inventory management platform tailored for restaurants, bars, and foodservice businesses, offering tools for real-time inventory tracking, automated purchasing, and cost control. It streamlines vendor management, recipe costing, and invoice verification to reduce waste and optimize operations. With integrations to POS systems like Toast and Square, it enables data-driven ordering and multi-location oversight.
Pros
- Robust automation for purchase orders and invoice matching
- Real-time inventory visibility across multiple locations
- Strong recipe costing and profitability analytics
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-location businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Occasional reports of slow customer support response
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and foodservice chains seeking comprehensive inventory and procurement automation.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $150-$300 per location per month depending on features and scale.
CrunchTime
enterpriseEnterprise operations management software for foodservice chains handling scheduling, inventory, and compliance.
AI-powered predictive labor forecasting that dynamically adjusts schedules based on sales data, historical trends, and real-time variables
CrunchTime is a comprehensive enterprise operations management platform tailored for the foodservice industry, providing tools for labor scheduling, time and attendance, inventory control, recipe costing, and compliance management. It enables multi-unit restaurant chains and hospitality operators to optimize workforce efficiency, track costs in real-time, and generate actionable business intelligence through advanced analytics and reporting. Designed for scalability, it integrates sales forecasting and operational checklists to drive profitability and reduce waste across locations.
Pros
- Robust labor management with predictive scheduling and optimization
- Integrated inventory and recipe costing for precise cost control
- Powerful real-time analytics and customizable dashboards for multi-unit oversight
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set and complex interface
- High implementation costs and custom pricing that may not suit small operators
- Limited out-of-the-box mobile functionality requiring additional setup
Best For
Large multi-unit foodservice chains and enterprise restaurant groups needing scalable, all-in-one operations and labor management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $5,000–$25,000+ per month based on locations, users, and modules selected; includes implementation fees.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable POS with integrated payments, inventory, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) that syncs orders in real-time across front-of-house and kitchen, eliminating paper tickets.
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system specifically designed for the food service industry, providing tools for order management, payment processing, table service, and online ordering. It features kitchen display systems (KDS), menu customization, inventory tracking, and staff management to streamline restaurant operations. Integrated with Square's hardware ecosystem, it supports dine-in, takeout, and delivery workflows without requiring extensive IT setup.
Pros
- Intuitive, mobile-friendly interface with minimal training required
- No upfront software costs and transparent transaction-based pricing
- Seamless integration of POS, payments, online ordering, and KDS
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for enterprise-level needs
- Limited customization for complex multi-location operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants, cafes, and food trucks needing an affordable, easy-to-deploy POS with strong online ordering capabilities.
Pricing
Free core software; transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢ in-person, 2.9% + 30¢ keyed-in); Plus plan $60/month per location for advanced features like payroll and developer tools.
Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage
enterpriseERP system for food manufacturers managing production, traceability, quality control, and supply chain compliance.
End-to-end lot and serial traceability with farm-to-fork pedigree for ultimate food safety compliance
Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage is an industry-specific ERP platform tailored for food and beverage manufacturers, offering end-to-end visibility across supply chain, production, quality, and distribution. It excels in managing complex processes like recipe formulation, lot traceability, shelf-life optimization, and regulatory compliance such as FSMA and GFSI standards. The cloud-based solution integrates advanced analytics and planning tools to enhance operational efficiency and reduce waste in perishable goods handling.
Pros
- Deep industry-specific functionality including lot traceability and compliance automation
- Scalable cloud architecture with strong integration via Infor ION
- Advanced tools for recipe management and demand-driven planning
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant customization and expertise
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Higher cost structure compared to general-purpose ERP solutions
Best For
Mid-to-large food and beverage manufacturers requiring robust traceability, compliance, and supply chain management for perishable products.
Pricing
Subscription-based with custom quotes; typically starts at $100,000+ annually depending on modules, users, and deployment scale.
Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
enterpriseIndustry-specific ERP for food processing with lot traceability, formula management, and regulatory reporting.
Comprehensive farm-to-fork traceability with serialized inventory tracking for instant recall management and audit readiness
Aptean Food & Beverage ERP is a robust, industry-specific enterprise resource planning solution tailored for food and beverage manufacturers, providing end-to-end visibility across supply chain, production, quality control, and financials. It excels in managing complex processes like recipe formulation, lot traceability, and regulatory compliance with standards such as FDA, SQF, and GFSI. The platform integrates manufacturing execution systems (MES) for real-time shop floor control and supports multi-site operations for scaling businesses.
Pros
- Superior lot and serial number traceability for rapid recalls and compliance
- Advanced recipe management with cost analysis and nutritional labeling
- Scalable architecture supporting multi-plant operations and global supply chains
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant customization and training
- Outdated user interface compared to modern cloud-native competitors
- High initial costs and long deployment timelines
Best For
Mid-to-large food and beverage manufacturers requiring deep traceability, compliance, and production optimization in regulated environments.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $50,000+ annually for mid-sized deployments, based on users, modules, and on-premise vs. cloud options.
Revel Systems
specializedCloud POS platform for restaurants with kitchen display, loyalty programs, and multi-location support.
Integrated kitchen display system (KDS) that syncs orders in real-time across front-of-house and back-of-house.
Revel Systems is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform tailored for restaurants, bars, cafes, and quick-service food businesses. It offers end-to-end management tools including order processing, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and advanced reporting. The system integrates with online ordering, delivery services like DoorDash, and kitchen display systems to optimize food service operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific features like kitchen display and table management
- Strong cloud accessibility with offline mode support
- Extensive integrations with food delivery and payment processors
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers that may not suit small operations
- Reliance on iPad hardware can increase upfront costs
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and QSR chains seeking scalable, feature-rich POS with delivery integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Core plan (per location), up to $299/month for Growth; hardware and add-ons extra; enterprise custom.
Conclusion
The top 10 food industry software tools offer tailored solutions, but Toast leads as the top choice, integrating POS, inventory, payroll, and analytics effectively. Restaurant365 stands out for multi-location management, while Lightspeed Restaurant excels with scheduling and online ordering, making them strong alternatives for specific needs.
To streamline your foodservice operations and unlock efficiency, start exploring Toast—its comprehensive features are designed to elevate your business, whether you run a small eatery or a growing chain.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison