One of the most frustrating parts of managing a restaurant is filling out the weekly schedule. You want to make sure you have enough people to work to handle the crowd but you don’t want to schedule too many people and waste money. On top of that, you have to make sure you are balancing out the number of hours people have worked and accommodate any special requests for time off. In the past, scheduling has meant using a pencil with a good eraser because there were sure to be changes but not anymore.

There are now software programs which allow you to manage all aspects of restaurant operations electronically, online. The people who work in the restaurant all have access to the system and can log any special requests that they have for time off. The programs will also keep track of reservations and special events so you are notified if you need to have extra people in for a big night. The programs can also track sales and dining room activity so that the manager will have a good idea of how they can expect to be on any given night. This information is critical to matching the number of workers to the number of diners. When you are not paying extra people to stand around, you are saving money.

In addition to managing staff, most programs can help you manage purchasing as well. The software can be set up to track food orders and pay vendors. This way of managing inventory is another way to control costs and eliminate the waste that is so prevalent in many restaurants. Even if the restaurant is a small operation with 30 or 40 people, the software can make a big difference.

Another advantage by going electronic is improved communications with employees. In addition, to distributing the schedule you can use the internal mail features to make announcements and circulate memos. It is a great way to keep servers up to date on daily specials and new menu items. The workers can also use the system to make suggestions to management about things customers have said they would like to see added to the menu or suggest changes.

Some programs also offer social media tools. Next time you want to advertise your new special you can blast a post on facebook, a tweet on twitter all while notifying your employees.

Restaurant managers who have made the switch say that they have found they now have more time to concentrate on growing the business. Online programs save time, talent and treasure. You have more time to be involved with the day to day operations of the business. They save talent by enabling you to be where you’re really needed in the kitchen preparing a steak or out on the floor talking with customers. Most importantly the planning and organization will save you money by not being understaffed on a busy night. Many can be more visible inside the restaurant itself trying to make sure that diners are leaving satisfied so that they will come back again.

Author Bio: Kelly Boudreau represents Restaurant Solutions, Inc., a restaurant management firm.

Category: Business Management
Keywords: restaurant, management, operations, employee scheduling