7shifts is a restaurant-focused software that
simplifies employee management. It helps managers assign shifts, track time,
and manage payroll from one app. The tool is designed to save time and reduce
labor costs. It also includes features like tip pooling and payouts, making
payroll faster and more accurate. This software is perfect for restaurant teams
that want to stay organized and on top of scheduling.
Beyond scheduling, our 7shifts review also
found that it offers tools to engage employees and improve communication.
Features like task management, team messaging, and a manager logbook keep
everyone on the same page. It also ensures compliance with labor laws and
safely stores essential documents. With its simple design and mobile
accessibility, 7shifts makes it easy for restaurants to run efficiently while
keeping employees happy.
What’s New in 7shifts?
7shifts has rolled out several updates to improve scheduling, time tracking, and employee management. These updates make 7shifts even more user-friendly and efficient for restaurant teams. Here are the latest features we’ve collected for this 7shifts review:
Dayparts in Chronological Order for Manual Tip Pooling: When entering tips manually, dayparts are now displayed based on their start time. This update helps reduce errors and simplifies the process for users managing multiple shifts.
Reassign Shifts Easily: The web app's new Employee Selector feature lets managers quickly assign or reassign shifts. It highlights scheduling conflicts and ensures the right employees are selected for each shift.
Guideline 401(k) Plans: A new partnership with Guideline adds affordable retirement plans to the Benefits Marketplace. Businesses can now offer customized 401(k) options to their teams.
Time Clocking Enhancements: Managers can now see pay period and timesheet statuses. They can also verify when timesheets were closed or reopened and who made those changes.
2-Step Verification (MFA): Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, ensuring better account protection.
User Permissions Overview: Users can now view their roles and permissions under the "My Account" settings. This helps them understand access levels and reduces confusion.
Closed Pay Period Indicators: A lock icon now marks completed pay periods, ensuring managers know when edits can no longer be made. New permissions also allow managers to reopen timesheets if adjustments are needed.
How Much Does 7shifts Cost?
7shifts: Top Restaurant Management Software
4.5 / 5
7shifts pricing includes four plans tailored to restaurant teams, plus add-ons like Tip Management and Payroll. All plans come with a free 14-day trial, no contract, and no credit card required. Here’s a breakdown of the 7shifts pricing plans:
Comp Plan – Free
For single locations with up to 30 employees, this plan includes:
Basic scheduling and time-clocking
Basic team communications
Availability and time-off requests
Entrée Plan – $34.99/month per location
For small teams needing more advanced tools, this plan supports up to 30 employees and includes the following:
Advanced scheduling and time-clocking
Advanced team communications
Live support
Customizable permission settings
The Works Plan – $76.99/month per location
Ideal for teams requiring labor compliance and cost-saving features, this plan supports unlimited employees and includes:
Budgeting, labor compliance, and labor cost tools
Employee performance management and retention tools
Manager Log Book
Reporting and insights from integrations
Gourmet Plan – $150/month per location
Designed for scaling teams, this plan supports unlimited employees and offers:
Employee onboarding and task management
Advanced compliance tools
Document storage
Permission templates
Advanced reporting and business insights
Tip Management Add-On – $49.99/month per location
This add-on helps calculate, distribute, and report tips with features like:
Automatic tip calculation
Team or individual tip distribution
Mobile tip reports for employees
Payroll integration for payment and taxation
What Sets 7shifts Apart
7shifts stands out as a user-friendly, all-in-one solution for restaurant employee management. It offers a practical way to manage scheduling, communication, payroll, and compliance while keeping restaurant teams organized and connected. Designed specifically for the restaurant industry, 7shifts combines convenience and flexibility with features tailored to the unique needs of hospitality businesses.
Our 7shifts review found that the platform’s standout features include advanced scheduling tools, team engagement resources, and customizable permissions. The app's focus on improving communication and efficiency has made it a favorite for restaurant managers looking to save time and reduce costs. However, like any software, 7shifts has its strengths and areas for improvement. We’ve collected 7shifts reviews from different users to present a breakdown of the 7shifts pros and cons:
7shifts Pros
User-friendly interface: Easy for anyone to access schedules and send messages.
Mobile-friendly: Works on smartphones, making it accessible for all employees.
Efficient scheduling: Managers find it faster and more practical than payroll company tools.
Great customer support: Responsive support team that listens to user suggestions.
Flexible communication: Simple to send announcements or updates, especially for weather-related changes.
Customizable: Offers advanced features like permission settings and integration with payroll.
7shifts Cons
Performance issues: The app can be slow to load at times.
Occasional bugs: Users report issues like random logouts.
Limited mobile analytics: Sales and labor data are primarily web-based.
Lack of advanced HR tools: It could expand with more form generation and submission options.
Training resources: More documentation for labor management and staff training would help.
7shifts Core Features
7shifts: Top Restaurant Management Software
4.5 / 5
This 7shifts review analyzes the range of tools offered to streamline restaurant management. Each feature focuses on making operations smoother, more efficient, and better connected for teams and managers. Here’s a breakdown of 7shifts features:
Scheduling: With 7shifts, users can access the best scheduling tools to ensure internal alignment. The drag-and-drop builder lets managers assign shifts in minutes. Employees can request time off, swap shifts, and update availability using the mobile app. Real-time notifications keep everyone in sync, ensuring no missed updates. Scheduling changes can be made on the go, offering flexibility for dynamic restaurant environments.
Time Clocking: Using built-in time clocking, tracking employee attendance, and staying compliant with labor laws. The system syncs punches with scheduling and payroll, making payroll preparation accurate and easy. Features, like missed clock-in tracking and punch audit reports, prevent errors and provide transparency. Compliance alerts help avoid costly overtime fees or missed breaks.
Tip Management: 7shifts simplifies tipping by automating tip calculation and distribution. Managers can set custom rules, ensuring accuracy in payouts. The app lets employees view real-time breakdowns of earned tips, increasing transparency and trust. 7shifts integrations with payroll ensure tips are taxed and paid accurately.
Payroll: Integrated payroll software features allow US-based restaurants to manage onboarding, time tracking, and payroll in one app. Automatic wage and tip calculations reduce manual errors. Employees can view pay stubs and request time off directly through the app, making payroll management seamless for everyone.
Team Engagement: Improve staff satisfaction with features like feedback surveys, team chat, and shout-outs. Engagement insights help managers identify potential issues early and foster a positive work environment. Tools like the Manager Log Book and centralized announcements save time while keeping everyone informed.
Task Management: Assign, track, and standardize tasks to keep your team on point. Managers can create recurring or one-time tasks with clear instructions and proof-of-completion options. Real-time tracking ensures tasks are completed on time, and reports highlight areas for improvement.
Manager Log Book: The digital logbook replaces traditional paper systems, making documenting and sharing shift notes easier. Managers can track weather, sales, staff performance, and daily issues in one place. Integration with POS systems and task management ensures that all relevant data flows seamlessly into the logbook.
How does 7shifts integrate with other HR and compensation platforms?
7shifts offers seamless integration capabilities with a variety of HR, payroll, and POS systems to centralize employee data and streamline administrative processes. It connects efficiently with third-party solutions, allowing businesses to consolidate scheduling, time tracking, and payroll functions into one cohesive workflow. For organizations seeking to enhance their compensation strategy, integrating 7shifts with dedicated compensation plan software can optimize incentive structures and reduce manual data reconciliation. This integration supports data accuracy and ensures that compensation planning is aligned with overall operational performance.
Benefits of Using 7shifts
By addressing operational
challenges and enhancing team dynamics, 7shifts offers solutions that benefit
managers and employees, making it an essential tool for modern restaurants.
Here are the benefits we found in our 7shifts review:
Improved Employee Satisfaction
7shifts enhances communication
and transparency, creating a better work environment for restaurant teams.
Employees can easily access their schedules, request time off, and swap shifts
using the mobile app. Real-time updates ensure no one is left out of the loop,
reducing misunderstandings and last-minute stress. Features like tip breakdowns
and shift feedback surveys also show employees that their contributions are
valued.
Time Savings for Managers
The platform’s automation tools
save managers hours of manual work. Scheduling, time tracking, payroll
preparation, and tip management are all streamlined into one system. Managers
can quickly assign shifts, approve requests, and track attendance, freeing time
to focus on tasks like customer service or team development.
Cost Control and Labor Compliance
Our 7shifts review found that it
helps restaurants stay within budget by tracking labor costs in real-time.
Features like compliance alerts for overtime and missed breaks prevent
unexpected expenses and fines. Integrated labor compliance tools ensure
adherence to local labor laws, providing peace of mind for managers and owners.
Enhanced Team Communication
Centralized communication tools, such
as team chat, announcements, and the Manager Log Book, eliminate the need for
multiple apps. This improves collaboration across the team and keeps everyone
aligned. Managers can document and share important updates, while employees can
engage in group discussions or receive individual messages.
Scalability for Growing Restaurants
For this 7shifts review, we found
that the platform is ideal for growing restaurants. Whether you’re a
single-location eatery or a growing chain, 7shifts scales with your business.
Flexible plans cater to small teams, while advanced tools like budgeting,
performance management, and employee onboarding support more extensive
operations. The ability to integrate with multiple POS systems for restaurants ensures
compatibility with your existing technology as you expand.
Data-Driven Insights for Better Decision-Making
7shifts provides detailed
reporting on labor costs, scheduling efficiency, and employee performance.
These insights help managers identify trends, make informed decisions, and
improve operations. Data visualization tools simplify complex metrics, enabling
better forecasting and strategic planning.
What business types use 7shifts?
In this 7shifts review, we’ll explore the various business types that can benefit the most from using this restaurant management software. 7shifts is designed to meet the needs of different food service establishments, helping them streamline operations, improve labor management, and enhance communication. Here’s a look at the types of businesses that use 7shifts and why it might be a good fit—or not.
Independent Restaurants: Small, owner-operated establishments benefit from 7shifts’ simple and affordable scheduling tools. Features like essential time clocking, team communication, and shift notifications help streamline operations without breaking the budget.
Multi-Location Restaurants: 7shifts provides advanced scheduling, labor cost tracking, and centralized communication for businesses managing multiple locations. Managers can use a unified platform to oversee schedules, labor compliance, and employee performance across various sites.
Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs): QSRs thrive on efficiency, and 7shifts supports fast-paced operations with tools like automated scheduling, tip management, and compliance alerts. These features help keep labor costs low and operations running smoothly during peak hours.
Cafés and Coffee Shops: Cafés often have fluctuating schedules and part-time staff. 7shifts’ mobile app allows employees to manage their availability and trade shifts. At the same time, managers can optimize staffing for busy mornings or weekends.
Bars and Nightclubs: Due to late-night hours and high employee turnover, bars and nightclubs rely on 7shifts to manage dynamic schedules and ensure compliance with labor laws. Features like tip management and team communication are valuable in these settings.
Franchise Chains: Franchises benefit from 7shifts’ scalability and integration capabilities. Owners can standardize operations across locations, while managers get the flexibility to adjust schedules and tasks to meet individual site needs.
Not Ideal for Large Corporate Offices: Businesses outside the hospitality industry, such as corporate offices or retail chains, may not find 7shifts helpful. The platform is designed specifically for restaurant environments, with features tailored to shift-based work and labor compliance in the food service sector. Businesses in other industries may benefit more from the best HR software for employee management.
When I Work is presented as a workforce management solution that aims to simplify employee scheduling and communication for businesses. The software combines an intuitive interface with practical features designed to support effective shift management and streamline day-to-day operations, making it a compelling option for organizations looking to optimize labor resources. Overall, When I Work is positioned as a tool that addresses common scheduling challenges while fostering a more organized and responsive working environment.
TouchBistro is a restaurant-specific POS system designed to enhance both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction through its user-friendly and customizable interface. Its hybrid architecture combines the benefits of cloud-based functionality with the stability of an onsite server, ensuring uninterrupted service even during internet outages. The platform offers versatile menu management and powerful customer relationship tools that help tailor service and promotions to regular patrons. Additionally, TouchBistro supports multiple payment methods and caters to various food service niches, making it a flexible solution for diverse restaurant environments.
3
Rezku
4 / 5
Rezku POS stands out with its user-friendly interface designed to simplify order-taking, enabling new staff to become proficient in just about 10 minutes. It equips restaurant owners with insightful, real-time sales and labor reports, facilitating informed management decisions and efficient tracking of top-performing servers. The platform supports a variety of ordering methods, from online and tableside to QR code and drive-through options, while its Manager App allows seamless oversight of multiple locations remotely. Additionally, Rezku ensures secure payment processing across multiple formats and offers robust inventory management with automatic alerts and precise recipe costing to optimize profitability.
MarketMan stands out as a comprehensive solution designed to help restaurants optimize their operations and enhance profitability through advanced inventory management. Its system automates the tracking of stock levels in real-time and sends alerts when supplies fall below predetermined thresholds, thereby reducing waste and preventing over-purchasing. Additionally, the platform streamlines back-of-house processes such as invoice handling, purchasing, and recipe costing, all accessible via any device thanks to its cloud-based infrastructure. Complemented by insightful analytics and seamless integration with other hospitality tools, MarketMan empowers restaurant owners with greater control and data-driven insights to make smarter business decisions.
Toast is a restaurant POS solution designed to streamline operations by integrating various aspects of service management into a single, efficient platform. Its intuitive design and multifaceted functionality work together to support restaurant workflows, from order management to payment processing, ensuring that every transaction is smooth and every customer interaction is optimized. With its flexible features, Toast positions itself as a robust contender in the restaurant technology space, appealing to businesses looking to enhance both operational flow and guest satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 7shifts worth it?
Yes, 7shifts is worth it for businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industry. It offers specialized tools for employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication, making it easier to manage teams. The platform’s automation features help reduce manual work, saving time and minimizing scheduling conflicts. Integrations with payroll and point-of-sale systems streamline operations further. Its user-friendly interface and mobile app make it convenient for managers and staff. While 7shifts may not suit industries outside of hospitality, its affordable plans and robust features make it a strong choice for restaurant owners looking to improve efficiency and team management.
Is 7shifts safe?
Yes, 7shifts prioritizes data security with encryption, secure login protocols, and regular system updates. The platform complies with industry standards to ensure the protection of sensitive employee and business data.
Who owns 7shifts?
7shifts was founded by Jordan Boesch, who remains the company's CEO.
Is 7shifts app free?
The 7shifts app offers a free plan with basic features, but advanced tools require paid subscriptions.
In evaluating SaaS software, a comprehensive and structured methodology
ensures a fair and accurate comparison across key metrics.
This approach focuses on the most critical aspects that affect user
experience, functionality, and business value.
The following metrics—general features, cost, customer service, integrations,
and mobile support—are evaluated to provide a holistic
view of each software solution’s strengths and weaknesses. These metrics
are selected based on their direct impact on software
usability, scalability, and long-term effectiveness for businesses.
General Features (40%)
This metric evaluates the core functionalities and tools the software offers.
It involves assessing the comprehensiveness of
the features, their relevance to the target users, and the ease of use.
This is important because robust and well-designed
features determine the software’s overall utility
and efficiency in solving user problems.
Cost (15%)
Cost analysis focuses on pricing models, value for money, and scalability.
It’s crucial to evaluate whether the software’s
features justify its price, considering different plans for small and
large organizations. This is vital for businesses to
ensure they invest in cost-effective solutions that fit their budget.
Customer Service (15%)
This evaluates the responsiveness, quality, and availability of customer
support, including channels like chat, email,
or phone. Good customer service is essential for troubleshooting and
ensuring smooth software usage, which reduces downtime
and frustration for users.
Integrations (15%)
This examines how well the software integrates with third-party tools
(e.g., CRM, payment systems, collaboration apps).
Seamless integrations are key for creating a unified workflow and
enhancing productivity by connecting multiple systems,
which is crucial for operational efficiency.
Mobile Support (15%)
Mobile support assesses the software’s functionality and performance on
mobile devices, including apps and mobile web versions.
With increasing remote work and on-the-go usage, strong mobile
support is critical to ensure users can access and utilize
the software effectively, regardless of location.