Make Restaurant Bookkeeping Easy: Top 10 Software Choices

Businesses use accounting software to track income and expenses, and restaurants find it especially handy because it helps with things like managing inventory, making bills, figuring out taxes, setting prices, and connecting with point of sales (POS) systems. Many restaurant owners struggle with high costs, but using the best accounting software for restaurants can show them where they’re spending too much and where they can save. It also helps them stay on top of inventory, profits, and taxes to avoid any problems.

After checking out lots of options, we picked the best restaurant accounting software based on features, price, how easy they are to use, and how well they work with other systems.

Best Accounting Software for Restaurants

Discover the best small restaurant accounting software solutions tailored specifically for restaurants:

Restaurant365

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based software made just for restaurant owners, offering a bunch of tools to help with bookkeeping and running the place smoothly. It doesn’t handle payroll itself but can team up with ADP for that. You can easily link it with other systems, like your cash register or your bank for easier tracking. Some cool stuff it does includes managing money coming in, predicting sales, keeping track of what you owe and what you’re owed, and even sorting out recipes and schedules for your staff.

Plans start at $289 a month for the basics and go up to $489 for extra features like detailed reports and analytics. If you want to find out more, just reach out to them through live chat, email, or phone.

TouchBistro

TouchBistro started in 2010 and is used in lots of countries. It’s an iPad system made by restaurant owners, for restaurant owners. Their aim is to help you run your restaurant better, earn more, and keep customers happy.

It works for all kinds of owners, whether you’re new or know a lot about money stuff. You can also link it with payroll or QuickBooks for extra help with accounting. But if you need detailed accounting, you might want to use QuickBooks or another accounting software.

Prices start at $50 per month and go up to $229. You can talk to TouchBistro to figure out which plan suits you best.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is software made by Intuit in 2001. It’s always updated, which is good for restaurant owners who aren’t experts at accounting. It’s easy to use, works with your bank, and can connect with many cash register systems.

But because it’s not just for restaurants, it might need some extra work to set up for your place.
Prices start at $30 a month and go up to $200, with a discount for the first three months. There are plans for different kinds of businesses, like sole owners or companies. You can call or visit their website to see which plan fits you best.

Xero

Xero is a computer program for small businesses, like restaurants, that helps with money stuff. It started in New Zealand in 2006 and is used all over. It can do things like track money coming in and going out, manage inventory, and pay bills. Anyone can use Xero, whether they know about money or not. It works with Gusto for paying staff and links with banks and cash registers.

Prices start at $12 a month and go up to $65. You can try it free for a month with unlimited users. The $12 plan is called Early and has limits on invoices and bills. The Growing Plan is $34 and has no limits. The top one is established for $65, with extras like multi-currency reports. You can find out more about plans and prices on the Xero website.

DAVO

DAVO started in 2001 to make taxes easier for businesses. It works with your sales data and automatically sets aside your sales tax. It’s good for all types of owners, whether you know a little or a lot about money. It guarantees your taxes get paid on time, so you don’t need to worry about fines.

Your first month is free, then it’s $49.99 per month per place. There are no extra fees or long contracts. They’ll help you set up and give you tech support. And if your state offers discounts for paying taxes on time, DAVO passes that on to you.

Plate IQ

Plate IQ, founded in 2014, is a tool designed to streamline invoice processing and accounts payable tasks. It caters to both novice and experienced bookkeepers and accountants, serving businesses of all sizes across various industries like restaurants, groceries, and hotels, not just the restaurant sector.

Plate IQ’s features include automatic invoice data capture, coding by line item, synchronization with existing accounting and inventory software, issue alerts, vendor statement reconciliation, automated accounts payable and receivable, emailing vendors directly from the platform, and insights into spending trends. Pricing details are not publicly available; interested parties need to contact the company for customized pricing based on their specific requirements.

ZipBooks

ZipBooks, established in 2015, is an easy-to-use accounting software suitable for any industry, not just restaurants. Users need to set up any specific adjustments they require. It’s particularly beneficial for budget-conscious restaurant owners, helping them manage their finances efficiently, freeing up time for other restaurant tasks. The software comes with a free basic option and paid plans offering more advanced features, catering to both beginner and advanced accounting knowledge levels.

ZipBooks offers tiered pricing, starting with a free Starter tier, followed by $15 and $35 per month tiers, and custom-priced top-tier plans. Each tier includes specific features and user limits, so it’s advisable to contact ZipBooks directly to find the most suitable option for your business needs.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks, although not specifically for restaurants, works well for the hospitality industry, like restaurants. For instance, its Client Credit feature is handy if you have regular customers with tabs. This tool helps track their payments, adding credit notes for each transaction, so you always know what they owe. Additionally, client retainers are useful for regulars, where they pay upfront to reserve their slot for the week, ensuring you have some money on hand to cover costs.

FreshBooks keeps your billing organized and clutter-free, ensuring you never lose track of payments. The top-tier Select plan even provides a dedicated account manager who assists with migrating your accounting system, setting up FreshBooks, and training your team, ensuring you get the most value from the platform.

Wave

Wave is great for restaurants seeking top-notch accounting without spending a dime. While there are other free tools like Zoho, Wave stands out for its flexibility. You can enjoy all its free features and opt for paid add-ons if needed. With Wave, you can make professional invoices, send payment reminders, and manage unlimited users, income tracking, bank connections, and financial reports for free.

The only paid services are for payment processing, mobile receipts, and payroll, charged per transaction, avoiding hefty upfront fees. Plus, Wave offers Advisor support for personalized coaching on bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll aligned with your financial goals, available year-round, not just during tax season.

Bonsai

Bonsai offers basic accounting tools with added client management features, making it suitable for restaurants aiming to provide an exclusive dining experience. For instance, if you want to create an atmosphere like N/Naka LA or Club 33, known for their exclusivity, Bonsai can help. It enables efficient reservation handling by integrating your calendar with your website, allowing customers to book slots online.

Additionally, you can set up a Client Portal to share messages, documents, and transaction details, similar to how Club 33 manages membership payments and paperwork. Bonsai provides templates for documents and supports e-signatures, making paperwork easy. With Bonsai, you can streamline membership-based models, track payments, and send automated reminders for overdue payments, ensuring a smooth VIP dining experience.

Choose the Best Account Software for a Small Restaurant

If you want to take the hassle out of managing your restaurant’s finances, the top accounting software options above are tailored for restaurants, offering features like expense tracking, invoicing, inventory management, and payroll integration. Whether you’re looking for basic accounting tools or more advanced solutions, there’s something for every budget and skill level.