5 Best Payroll Software For Restaurants
byOwning a restaurant is no doubt a rewarding career. But one of the biggest headaches you likely deal with involves payroll. Wasting hours of your week manually processing payroll and logging employee hours can be deflating. And consistent payroll mistakes can make things worse. About half of all employees will start looking for a new job after noticing just two mistakes on their checks.
What if we told you there was a much better option to handle everything? Enter payroll software for restaurants. These platforms will help you put all of those struggles behind you for good!
There are lots of options to choose from out there. But not all of them will provide the solution you need. Thankfully, we’ve narrowed your search down to five excellent solutions. You’ll be able to find the right platform for your restaurant in no time!
Here’s what you need to know about the best payroll software for restaurants:
- Top options can process payroll in just one click
- They also provide labor reports so you can better understand your labor costs
- The best software includes scheduling capabilities to simplify workforce management
- Leading payroll software for restaurants is cloud-based; you can access it from anywhere
- A payroll solution means fewer errors, lots of time saved, and happier staff
Table of contents
- Key features to look for in restaurant payroll software
- Payroll software for restaurants: Comparison table
- Best restaurant payroll options for you to consider
- How to choose the right payroll software for your restaurant
- Start using When I Work for free
Key features to look for in restaurant payroll software
Before we get into our list, let’s first look at three features you should look for in your payroll solution:
Tipping capabilities
Tips are a major part of your employee’s income. A payroll software solution with tipping capabilities will be a great option. It will automatically calculate and distribute tips. And it will also integrate with your point-of-sale (POS) system. That will ensure your staff receives accurate pay. These features are crucial because they simplify the process of managing tips and reduce the risk of errors.
Integration with time clock software
Manually keeping up with employee hours can be a nightmare. Some payroll solutions make you waste time logging each person’s hours into the system each week. But top solutions include built-in time clock capabilities. Platforms like When I Work even allow your team to clock in via its mobile app!
You might think that raises the problem of not being able to know that your employees are actually at work. But When I Work has solved that problem, too! Its GPS functionality won’t allow employees to clock in unless they are within a geofence you set around your business.
Single-click payroll
Single-click payroll is just what it sounds like. You can process your pay with a single click of the mouse.
Payroll software that integrates with time clocks allows you to transfer employee work hours into the payroll system. You’ll save a ton of time because you won’t need to manually enter hours worked. Integration with time clock software also helps you keep better track of overtime and attendance.
Payroll software for restaurants: Comparison table
These five solutions made our list of the best payroll software for restaurants:
| Software | Price options | Key features | Benefits | Pros | Cons |
| When I Work | Paid | Scheduling, time tracking, one-click payroll | All-in-one app, easy to use, transparent pricing, mobile access | Seamless integration, restaurant-specific features | Scheduling and payroll software need separate subscriptions |
| Gusto | Paid | Payroll, reporting, benefits | Automated tax filing, employee self-service | Strong support, ease of use | Higher cost for full features |
| Square | Paid | Employee management, payroll automation | Cost-effective, user-friendly | Integrates well with POS | Limited advanced features |
| Paycor | Paid | Reporting, scalability, HR management | Robust reporting, scalable | Customization options | Steep learning curve |
| Toast | Paid | POS integration, payroll automation | Seamless POS integration, employee management | Tailored for restaurants | Limited to Toast POS users |
Best restaurant payroll options for you to consider
1. When I Work
When I Work represents the top payroll software for restaurants. It’s loaded with features that many platforms fail to deliver. For instance, When I Work includes time and attendance tracking. You can log hours and ensure employees show up for shifts on time.
The platform also includes payroll processing. Its payroll and time-tracking apps are on the same platform, so they talk to each other to exchange data seamlessly, which means you won’t have to manually transfer each employee’s timesheet information to run payroll. Plus, you’ll be able to see your real-time labor costs at any time, not just the estimates that other providers offer.
When I Work was built to function seamlessly on mobile devices, too. Each employee can download our app and use it to clock in. They can also take advantage of its messaging capabilities to securely communicate with coworkers and managers.
When I Work also includes automation capabilities and user-friendly schedule templates. You can create all of your schedules directly in the platform and ensure everyone knows when they are supposed to be at work. It is truly a do-it-all solution.
2. Gusto
Gusto is a popular payroll software. It offers comprehensive features, including benefits management and automated tax filing. It also includes direct deposit and self-service capabilities, as well as strong support and a user-friendly interface.
But Gusto was not built with restaurant owners in mind. And it gets expensive in a hurry. If you want to unlock its scheduling and other advanced features, you’ll pay a base fee of $135 per month plus $16.50 per employee per month.
In contrast, When I Work payroll plans start at just $39 per month + $6 per active user per month. You can add scheduling tools, time tracking, and attendance for just $3 per user per month. The difference is clear.
3. Square
Square offers a simple and affordable payroll solution that is appealing to small and medium-sized restaurants. It includes payroll automation, employee management capabilities, and tax compliance tools.
One of the main advantages of using Square is its low cost. You won’t break the bank to implement the solution, which offers the basics and a user-friendly interface.
At the same time, there’s not a ton of substance below the simplicity. You must carefully consider what capabilities your business needs to thrive. If you are looking for more advanced features like employee scheduling and reporting, There’s a good chance that Square will leave you lacking in at least a few key areas.
4. Paycor
Paycor is a platform designed for businesses that need a robust and scalable payroll solution. That means the solution is dynamic and sophisticated. But that also means it doesn’t come cheap.
Therefore, Paycor is best suited for large, multi-location businesses with very complex reporting needs. These establishments often need more customization and scalability in their payroll software. And Paycor’s powerful reporting tools help owners make informed decisions.
If you run a smaller eatery, you must understand that there’s a steep learning curve to Paycor. You’ll also have to contact the company for a quote because it doesn’t provide upfront per-user pricing.
Altogether, you must be prepared to pay a hefty price if you decide to go with this software. And we mean that financially and mentally. If you are looking for a user- and budget-friendly solution that you can use right away, Paycor isn’t it.
5. Toast
Last on our list is Toast, which was built for restaurants. It tightly integrates with the Toast POS system, so if your business is already using it, adding the payroll plan can be a good choice.
If you aren’t already using Toast POS, though, you won’t even be able to use the payroll software. In that case, you are better off going with a different restaurant payroll software altogether, one that accommodates a wider range of POS systems. When I Work can be a great addition to your restaurant, no matter what POS system you are using. It offers scheduling and payroll capabilities via a centralized platform.
How to choose the right payroll software for your restaurant
Selecting the best payroll software platform for your business can be tough. You’ll need to consider several factors, including the size of your restaurant and how many locations you manage. You also need to consider your specific payroll needs and any “must-haves” that are on your mind.
If all you need is a simple payroll tool, a basic platform might be the best fit. However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck, choose a do-it-all platform that handles scheduling and time tracking, too.
You should also consider which platforms offer free trials. Trying out a solution before you move your entire team to it is a great way of seeing if it’s a good fit for your business.
Start using When I Work for free
Don’t settle for basic payroll software for restaurants. Choose an all-in-one solution that will help you schedule restaurant staff, track time, understand your payroll expenses, and better serve your customers. Choose When I Work!
When I Work is a comprehensive solution that handles everything. You can build schedules, track time, and communicate with your staff in one app. It offers one-click payroll, and it has great pricing, too!
Sign up for a free trial of When I Work today. Once you try our platform, you’ll never want to manage your business without it again!
