A dark kitchen, also known as a virtual kitchen or ghost kitchen, is a restaurant that operates solely for the purpose of preparing and delivering food to customers through online platforms, such as food delivery apps. These types of restaurants have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rise of food delivery services, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced many traditional restaurants to pivot to a takeout and delivery model.
What is the best software for running a dark kitchen?
One of the key factors in running a successful dark kitchen is having the right software to manage operations, such as inventory management, order tracking, and employee scheduling. In this article, we will discuss some of the best software options available for running a dark kitchen.
- Toast POS (https://pos.toasttab.com/): Toast POS is a popular point-of-sale system specifically designed for the restaurant industry. It offers a range of features that are useful for dark kitchens, including online ordering, delivery management, and kitchen display systems (KDS). The online ordering feature allows customers to place orders through the restaurant’s website or through third-party delivery apps, and the delivery management feature helps restaurants track and manage orders in real-time. Toast POS also offers a KDS which displays orders on a screen in the kitchen, allowing chefs to prepare and track orders more efficiently.
- TouchBistro (https://www.touchbistro.com/): TouchBistro is another point-of-sale system that is popular among restaurants, including dark kitchens. It offers a range of features such as online ordering, delivery management, and inventory tracking. The online ordering feature allows customers to place orders through the restaurant’s website or through third-party delivery apps, and the delivery management feature helps restaurants track and manage orders in real-time. TouchBistro also has an inventory tracking feature which helps restaurants keep track of their ingredients and supplies, ensuring they always have the necessary items on hand to prepare orders.
- 7shifts (https://www.7shifts.com/): 7shifts is a employee scheduling and shift management software that is popular among restaurants, including dark kitchens. It allows restaurants to create and manage employee schedules, track employee hours, and communicate with employees through the platform. 7shifts also offers a range of features to help with labor cost management, such as the ability to set budgeted labor costs and track actual labor costs. This can be particularly useful for dark kitchens as they may have a smaller staff and need to manage labor costs more carefully.
- Resto (https://resto.co.za/): Resto is a cloud-based order management platform that offers a range of features for dark kitchens, including online ordering, delivery management, and order/usage statistics. The online ordering feature allows customers to place orders through the restaurant’s webpage. The delivery management feature helps restaurants track and manage orders in real-time. Resto also has a comprehensive tracking and statistics feature which helps restaurants understand their sales and customer needs, ensuring they always supply the best quality.
- Ordermark (https://www.ordermark.com/): Ordermark is a point-of-sale system specifically designed for restaurants that receive a large volume of orders through third-party delivery apps. It offers a range of features for dark kitchens, including online ordering, delivery management, and kitchen display systems (KDS). The online ordering feature allows customers to place orders through the restaurant’s website or through third-party delivery apps, and the delivery management feature helps restaurants track and manage orders in real-time. Ordermark also offers a KDS which displays orders on a screen in the kitchen, allowing chefs to prepare and track orders more efficiently.
Overall, there are many software options available for running a dark kitchen, each with its own unique set of features. Some of the best options include Toast POS, TouchBistro, 7shifts, Parakeet, and Ordermark. All of these platforms offer features that can help dark kitchen operators manage their operations more efficiently and effectively, such as online ordering, delivery management, and inventory tracking.
It is important to choose the right software for your dark kitchen based on your specific needs and requirements. Consider factors such as the number of orders you receive, the number of employees you have, and your budget when selecting a software platform. It may also be helpful to try out a few different options and see which one works best for your business.
In conclusion, having the right software is crucial for running a successful dark kitchen. It can help with everything from managing orders and deliveries to tracking inventory and scheduling employees. By choosing a software platform that meets the needs of your business, you can streamline your operations and improve efficiency, ultimately leading to better customer satisfaction and increased profits.
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