Running a restaurant takes a lot of work, from managing employees to tracking stock levels and keeping customers happy.

Many restaurant owners struggle with time-consuming tasks like scheduling staff, handling reservations, and keeping up with food costs.

There are numerous mobile apps that help busy restaurant owners save time, reduce waste, and boost efficiency. However, there are so many options available, and only a few apps might be a good fit for your restaurant.

In this article, you will learn about the best apps for restaurant owners in 2025, their key features, pricing, and how they can improve restaurant operations.

Why Restaurant Owners Need Mobile Apps for Business Success

Technology has changed how restaurants operate. In the past, restaurant operators had to rely on manual processes to handle bookings, food orders, and employee schedules.

This led to errors, wasted time, and lost revenue. Today, many restaurant apps help owners gain insights into their business while automating tasks that once took hours.

Some benefits of using a restaurant mobile app include:

• Improve efficiency – Managing reservations, tracking stock levels, and handling payroll becomes easier.
• Reduce food costs – Inventory tracking apps prevent overstocking and food waste.
• Better employee scheduling – Apps help manage shifts, track hours, and reduce scheduling conflicts.
• Increase customer loyalty – Rewards programs, email marketing, and social media integration help retain customers.
• Real-time updates – Many restaurant apps provide insights on sales, stock levels, and customer data to help owners make informed decisions.
• Boost online presence – Apps with social media management tools allow restaurant operators to schedule posts, track customer reviews, and respond to feedback quickly.
• Simplify online orders – Online ordering systems allow customers to place orders from their phones, increasing sales.

9 Best Restaurant Mobile Apps in 2025

Below are some of the best apps for restaurant owners in 2025, categorized by their functions.

1. Buildify (App Building)

Restaurants depend on separate platforms for online orders, reservations, and promotions. But why use multiple apps when you can have one custom-built solution? 

Buildify gives you control over your digital presence by creating your own branded mobile app, making it easier to manage online orders, loyalty programs, and customer engagement.

The following are Buildify features specifically designed to help restaurants grow:

• Restaurant website – Optimized to attract visitors, increase orders, and rank higher on search engines.
• Custom app – A downloadable, fully branded app for direct customer engagement and ordering.
• Online ordering system – Allows for direct orders, meaning higher profits and better control over the customer experience.
• Loyalty & rewards programs – Encourage repeat business with discounts, points, and rewards like big restaurant chains.
• Push notifications & promotions – Instantly send deals, updates, and exclusive offers directly to customer phones.
• Coupons & community deals – Attract new customers with exclusive deals and discounts.
• 24/7 customer support – Round-the-clock assistance to help whenever you need it.

Pricing

Unlike costly third-party platforms that take commissions on every sale, Buildify offers a fixed pricing of $399/month.

Book a call today!

2. 7shifts (Staff Scheduling & Team Management)

Managing a team in the restaurant industry can be challenging, with shift swaps, time-off requests, and last-minute scheduling changes often creating confusion.

To simplify these tasks, 7shifts offers a practical app tailored specifically for restaurant employee scheduling.

It enables restaurant owners and managers to create schedules, communicate clearly with their teams, and monitor labor costs from one handy app.

7shifts includes useful features such as easy employee scheduling, allowing managers to assign shifts, set employee availability, and make real-time updates.

The app also supports hassle-free shift swapping, so employees can easily trade shifts. There’s also a chat feature for direct and group messages.

Additionally, it integrates time tracking for accurate payroll and automatically syncs tips directly from the restaurant’s POS system.

Pros

• Simple drag-and-drop scheduler
• Smart auto-scheduler powered by machine learning
• Easy shift adjustments and time-off requests

Cons

• Separate app required for time tracking
• Internet connection is required to access schedules
• Doesn’t prevent early breaks

Pricing

• Free Plan: Basic scheduling features for small teams.
• Entree Plan: $34.99/month, covers up to 30 employees.
• The Works Plan: $76.99/month, offers unlimited scheduling.
• Gourmet Plan: $150/month, advanced scheduling tools, and integrations for larger restaurants.

3. OpenTable (Reservation and Customer Management)

For restaurants that rely on reservations, OpenTable helps keep track of bookings, reduce no-shows, and improve the guest experience.

Customers can book online tables, receive reminders, and even provide feedback after meals.

OpenTable offers several useful features, including online booking capabilities that allow guests to make reservations directly through the app.

It also includes booking notes to store individual customer preferences, enabling restaurants to deliver personalized service.

The reminder system automatically sends confirmation messages and reminders so that guests can remember their reservations.

Pros

• Well-optimized table management system
• Additional marketing tools to attract new customers
• User-friendly interface for both staff and customers

Cons

• High cost for small and independent restaurants
• Limited options for handling large group reservations
• Commissions on online reservations can become expensive

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $149/month, includes essential reservation features.
• Core Plan: $299/month, provides table management and guest insights.
• Pro Plan: $499/month, designed for high-volume restaurants, offering detailed analytics and priority listing on the OpenTable marketplace.

4. Wisk (Inventory Management)

Managing inventory manually can lead to wasted food and losing money on overstocked or expired ingredients.

Wisk is a highly effective inventory-tracking app designed specifically for restaurants. It provides real-time insights into stock levels and ingredient costs, ensuring optimal inventory management.

Key features of Wisk include real-time inventory tracking, which monitors stocks and food costs accurately.

The app sends automatic alerts whenever supplies begin to run low, preventing unexpected shortages. Wisk also facilitates automated ordering by generating purchase orders based on actual ingredient usage.

To simplify accounting processes, the app also organizes and processes invoices.

Pros

• Saves time by reducing manual entry for inventory management
• Helps prevent over-ordering and reduce waste
• Provides valuable insights on food and beverage costs

Cons

• Can experience slow performance during high usage
• Some users report integration issues with existing tools
• Occasional data synchronization problems

Pricing

• Bar Essentials Plan: $249/month, includes basic inventory tracking.
• Professional Plan: $399/month, provides advanced sales analytics.
• Elite Plan: $799/month, offers full automation and supplier management tools.

5. Hootsuite (Social Media Management & Marketing)

Hootsuite helps restaurants establish and maintain a strong social media presence.

Content marketing specialists who use the app find it easier to plan and schedule posts across multiple platforms and promote daily specials, events, and seasonal menus.

The social analytics tool feature also provides insights into customer engagement and the effectiveness of posts, while campaign management consolidates marketing activities into a single dashboard.

Pros

• Supports multiple social media accounts
• Team collaboration tools for better communication
• AI-powered post generator for quick content creation

Cons

• Expensive when managing multiple accounts
• Reports can sometimes be inconsistent
• No bulk post deletion feature

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $99/month; 1 user, manages 10 social accounts.
• Team Plan: $249/month; 3 users, manages 20 social accounts.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing; includes advanced tools for larger businesses.

6. Evernote (Note-Taking)

Running a restaurant requires keeping track of numerous details, such as supplier contacts, menus, staff notes, and daily operational tasks.

Restaurant owners use Evernote to store recipes, maintain customer records, and generate checklists for routine tasks.

Evernote also offers features like a document scanner that captures and saves invoices, menus, and supplier contracts. It also includes task management capabilities to build to-do lists and set timely reminders.

Cloud syncing ensures that all stored notes remain accessible from any device.

Pros

• Works across multiple devices, making it easy to manage business notes
• Helps organize supplier details, recipes, and menu items in one place
• Simple interface that makes it easy to add notes and checklists

Cons

• Free version allows syncing on only one device
• Limited storage space (60MB per month for free users)

Pricing

• Free Plan: Limited storage, syncs to one device only.
• Premium Plan: $7.99/month, unlimited device access, and additional storage.

7. Uber Eats (Food Delivery)

With more people turning to online delivery, it is necessary to have a strong online ordering system like Uber Eats.

By joining the platform, restaurants can reach a larger audience and gain insights into customer preferences.

The app provides features like live tracking and marketplace integration, enabling restaurants to showcase their menu items through the platform.

Pros

• User-friendly interface makes it easy to manage orders
• Reliable customer service for handling issues
• Expands customer reach beyond dine-in traffic

Cons

• High commission fees (ranging from 15% to 30% per order)
• Restaurants do not have direct ownership of customer data

Pricing

The fee ranges from 15% for pickup orders to 30% for deliveries, depending on the partnership plan chosen.

8. FoodDocs (Quality Management)

Compliance with health regulations and staying up-to-date with food safety standards are essential for restaurants.

FoodDocs provides restaurant operators with automated solutions to simplify quality management, oversee kitchen processes, and maintain precise documentation for regulatory inspections.

The app includes a HACCP system builder that enables restaurants to develop and maintain comprehensive hazard analysis plans. It also offers automated monitoring of food and industry trends to ensure consistent compliance.

Pros

• Helps businesses stay compliant with food safety laws
• Saves time by automating paperwork and tracking logs

Cons

• Expensive for smaller restaurants
• Limited browser compatibility

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $999/year
• Standard Plan: $1,999/year
• Professional Plan: $1,999/year

9. NextMe (Waitlist & Reservation Management)

Restaurants use NextMe to enhance operational efficiency, especially during busy periods with long wait times. 

It allows guests to check in virtually, reducing crowding and streamlining front-of-house operations.

Customers can remotely join the waitlist, track their place in line, and receive real-time text updates about their table status, further improving the restaurant’s operational efficiency.

Pros

• Helps improve guest experience by reducing frustration
• Provides valuable insights into restaurant traffic patterns

Cons

• Estimated wait times may not always be accurate

Pricing

• Free Basic Plan: Includes essential features.
• Starter Plan: $49.99/month.
• Business Plan: $79.99/month, offers additional customization options.

Create Custom-Branded Restaurant Apps with Buildify

While using many restaurant apps can improve operations, Buildify Builds gives you an all-in-one solution. 

With Buildify, your restaurant gets a fully branded website and a mobile app on Apple and Android devices. Customers can easily browse your menu, place orders, and track rewards.

It also gives you tools to create customer incentives like coupons, community deals, and personalized promotions. 

Ready to keep regulars engaged and turn new visitors into repeat customers? Buildify can help you get started in just 5 days. Book a call today!

FAQs About Apps for Restaurant Owners

What is the best form of ownership for a restaurant?

The best form of ownership for a restaurant depends on the size, risk tolerance, and financial goals of the owner. Sole proprietorships are simple but carry personal liability. Partnerships allow shared responsibility, while LLCs and corporations provide liability protection and tax benefits. Many restaurant owners choose an LLC for flexibility and protection.

What is the best restaurant management software?

The best restaurant management software depends on the restaurant’s needs. 7shifts is great for employee scheduling, Wisk helps with inventory management, and OpenTable is ideal for reservation management. For all-in-one solutions, some restaurants use custom mobile apps like Buildify to manage online delivery orders, customer loyalty, and menu items in one place.

Where can I find restaurant owners?

You can find restaurant owners in industry forums, networking events, and social media groups. Websites like LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, and Reddit’s restaurant industry communities are great places to connect. Attending restaurant trade shows and conferences also helps build relationships with other restaurant operators.

How to run a restaurant remotely?

To run a restaurant remotely, owners need cloud-based software for POS systems, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, and ordering systems. 

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