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Restaurant365 vs. QuickBooks: A Side-by-Side Comparison 

Restaurant365 vs. QuickBooks: A Side-by-Side Comparison 

Picture of Clarissa Buch Zilberman
Clarissa Buch Zilberman

When margins are slim and guest expectations high, the restaurant management platform you choose isn’t just a tool — it’s a strategic partner that can elevate your business or leave it struggling to keep the lights on. 

The ability to efficiently manage accounting, inventory, and workforce operations is crucial for any operator aiming to stay ahead of the curve. This is where specialized software comes into play.  

Two popular choices are Restaurant365 (R365) and QuickBooks. In this guide, explore the key similarities and differences between these platforms, helping you make an informed decision that could significantly impact the future of your restaurant. 

QuickBooks Accounting vs. Restaurant365 Accounting

Imagine having more time to create delicious dishes instead of chasing down invoices, reconciling accounts, or struggling to understand financial performance. Accounting automation empowers restaurant owners and operators to do just that. 

QuickBooks is known for its accounting features, including automatic bank reconciliations and invoice approval workflows. However, restaurants need additional tools to streamline and optimize their accounting processes due to QuickBooks’ limited integrations with point-of-sale (POS) systems and vendors. The software also lacks the capability to handle tasks like intercompany accounting and consolidated financial reporting.  

Restaurant365 provides built-in automation features tailored to the restaurant industry, such as:  

  • Digital invoice processing: Submit invoices in any format, and R365 ensures accurate entry and review. 
  • 170+ EDI integrations: Seamlessly connect with various vendors to automate the entire invoicing process. 
  • Intercompany transfers and transactions: Simplify complex financial tasks by automating intercompany transfers. 
  • Automated POS data entry: Eliminate manual entry by pulling sales and labor data directly into the general ledger. 
  • Consolidated financial documents: Streamline accounts by creating a single account used across multiple locations.  
  • Invoice variance tracking: Automatically track discrepancies between orders and invoices to prevent errors. 
  • Cost splitting across locations: Easily split costs evenly among different locations, reducing accounting complexities. 
  • Vendor payments with rebates: Pay vendors directly through R365 while generating rebates, adding value to the payment process. 
  • Approval workflows: Use built-in workflows for invoice and payment approvals, ensuring compliance and accuracy. 
  • Automatic bank reconciliation: Automate the reconciliation process with matching reports, saving time and reducing errors. 

QuickBooks Inventory Management vs. Restaurant365 Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is the backbone of any successful restaurant. By knowing exactly what you have and where it’s located, you can make smarter decisions about purchasing, menu planning, and waste — all of which directly influence profitability. 

Like accounting, QuickBooks requires the use of additional integrations since it’s built for general businesses, not restaurant-specific operations.  

Comparatively, R365 offers a range of inventory management support features designed for restaurants: 

  • Mobile-friendly inventory counts: Conduct inventory counts on the go, using multiple units of measure. 
  • Suggestive ordering: Analyze inventory data and utilize suggested orders to prevent stockouts or over-ordering. 
  • Mobile waste log tracking: Easily track and log waste directly from a mobile device. 
  • Recipe management with dynamic pricing: Manage recipes with up-to-date pricing, ensuring accurate cost tracking. 
  • Centralized commissary management: Distribute products from a central commissary to various locations, with complete control over what each location can see and use. 
  • In-app order tracking and editing: Place, track, and edit orders within the platform, syncing all information with your accounting system as journal entries. 

QuickBooks Workforce Management vs. Restaurant365 Workforce Management

Nobody wants to build schedules that lead to labor costs spiraling out of control. But workforce management is not QuickBooks’ core strength. While it provides basic payroll capabilities through integrations, it lacks the comprehensive tools needed to manage restaurant staff efficiently. 

Instead, R365 offers a complete set of tools specifically designed for restaurants: 

  • Labor forecasting and scheduling: Predict labor needs based on historical data and create optimized schedules. 
  • POS-integrated labor tracking: Automatically track labor performance, with real-time insights every 15 minutes. 
  • Compliance management: Ensure adherence to labor laws, including rules for minors, split shifts, and tip makeup. 
  • Free employee-facing messaging and scheduling app: Streamline communication and scheduling for staff.  
  • Integrated recruiting, hiring, and onboarding: Simplify the hiring process, making it easier to navigate labor shortages. 
  • Daily staff payments: Offer employees the option to get paid daily without impacting cash flow, improving employee satisfaction. 

Case study

Bavarian Bierhaus Managers Save Nearly 30 Hours Per Month with Restaurant365

QuickBooks Reporting and Analytics vs. Restaurant365 Reporting and Analytics

From menu engineering to staff scheduling, every aspect of a restaurant can benefit from data-driven decision-making. QuickBooks offers basic reporting capabilities, such as daily controllable P&L and summary-level sales reports.  

R365 takes it to the next level with restaurant-specific reporting and analytics tools, making it easier to optimize costs and enhance profitability. Its capabilities include:  

  • Analysis of actual vs. theoretical food costs: Compare what you should be spending against actual expenses to identify discrepancies. 
  • Automated location item costs: Ensure that costs are accurately reflected across all locations, improving cost control. 
  • Price alerts: Get notified of price changes immediately, allowing you to adjust menus or negotiate with suppliers proactively. 
  • Menu analysis and recipe costing: Instantly understand the profitability of each menu item.  

QuickBooks Pricing vs. Restaurant365 Pricing

For restaurant owners with multiple locations, choosing a scalable solution is key to supporting growth without breaking the bank. 

QuickBooks offers pricing based on the number of user licenses, with higher tiers required for more advanced features.  

Restaurant365 charges per location, offering flexibility that allows you to pay for only what you need. R365 also includes unlimited free support, ensuring you get the help you need without extra fees. 

Serve up success

From managing menus to paying staff, the right restaurant management software can simplify the complexities of running a restaurant. While QuickBooks offers basic accounting capabilities, R365 provides a more comprehensive, efficient, and effective all-in-one solution for managing restaurant operations.  

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Restaurant365 bridges the gap between accounting and operations by centralizing all data, helping restaurant operators to become more efficient, accurately forecast, and tackle any challenge or opportunity with speed and accuracy.