Best Workforce Management Software for Restaurants and Hospitality 2025: Top Picks and Key Features

#1 Workforce.com

Workforce.com is an all-in-one cloud-based platform designed specifically for shift-based industries, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and franchise groups. What sets it apart is how it connects scheduling directly to demand, real-time labor visibility, and compliance with labor laws.

Unlike other platforms that only handle one part of the puzzle, such as scheduling or time tracking, Workforce.com brings everything together in a single system. That means no jumping between tools for timesheet, payroll, or HR.

Trusted by hospitality teams of all sizes, Workforce.com simplifies workforce management by bringing everything into one streamlined platform. Here are the key features of Workforce.com:

Employee scheduling software: Build schedules fast with drag-and-drop tools, reusable templates, and built-in compliance rules. Set scheduling rules, such as maximum hours, rest periods, and advance notice, to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

Labor forecasting: Optimize schedules based on demand. Import data such as sales, weather, foot traffic, or reservations to create accurate staffing forecasts. AI-powered models help you match staffing levels to demand, reducing unnecessary overtime.

Time tracking and attendance: Capture clock-ins via mobile app or kiosk, complete with GPS tracking. Alerts for missed punches, notifications for potential overtime, and real-time timesheets enable managers to identify issues before payroll.

Shift swapping: Fill no-shows fast. Offer open shifts to qualified staff or allow employees to swap shifts among themselves, with managers approving changes before they’re finalized.

Leave management: Allow staff to submit PTO requests and view approvals directly in the app. Leave data syncs with scheduling, so managers don’t accidentally assign shifts to unavailable employees.

Live wage tracker and shift dashboard: Monitor real-time labor costs, who’s currently on shift, alongside sales and demand data. See a live view of how each shift is performing and make smarter, on-the-fly decisions, such as adjusting staffing levels or avoiding unnecessary overtime.

Built-in payroll system: Run payroll directly in Workforce.com. Automatically calculate pay based on hours worked, including tips, overtime, shift differentials, deductions, and wage garnishments.

Automated compliance: Stay compliant across every step of workforce management. Receive alerts if schedules violate labor rules or employees fail to take breaks. The system even flags if an unqualified employee is assigned to a role.

Paperless onboarding: Let new hires upload documents, sign agreements, and input personal details digitally. All data is stored in one centralized location, becoming the single source of truth for human resources, scheduling, and payroll.

Core HR tools: Track applicants, manage employee records, and handle performance management on a single system.

Reporting and labor analytics: Build custom reports to monitor labor costs, time and attendance trends, and gain more insights into your operations, whether by role or location.

Employee self-service: Staff can clock in, view work schedules, request time-off, access pay stubs, and update info via the mobile app.

#2 7shifts

7Shifts is a restaurant-focused platform that simplifies employee scheduling and team communications. It’s a popular system among growing restaurant groups and is well-regarded for its user-friendly interface and features, which are specifically designed for restaurants.

Unlike other WFM platforms, 7shifts is focused on helping managers spend less time on scheduling. That said, it’s not a full-suite platform. While it now offers payroll, this feature is relatively new and may not be as robust as those of more established providers.

#3 HotSchedules (by Fourth)

HotSchedules is a long-standing workforce management solution widely used by hospitality businesses for scheduling, labor and inventory forecasting, and team communications. Some mention that the interface may feel a bit dated, but its scheduling system is known to be dependable once you’re up and running. The mobile app offers helpful self-service tools for staff to manage their shifts, though the one-time download fee has drawn some criticism.

#4 Homebase

Homebase is a workforce management platform designed for small businesses, and it stands out for its free tier, which includes basic scheduling.

While its features may not be as comprehensive as those of enterprise-level systems, it excels in simplicity and ease of use. Managers can typically get started with little to no training. However, as businesses grow and require more advanced capabilities, they may eventually need to transition to a more robust solution.

#5 Deputy

Deputy is a workforce management platform that provides tools for scheduling, time and attendance tracking, HR management, and team communication. Users often appreciate its clean interface and easy-to-use mobile features, making it convenient for both staff and admins. However, it may require additional configuration for more complex setups, and some features come at an extra cost.