Suggest a Straightforward App to Help Manage Restaurant Hiring

What is the Best App for Managing Restaurant Hiring?

For managing restaurant hiring, consider apps like Rotahr, BambooHR, and Workable. Each offers unique tools to streamline the hiring process, making it easier to find the right staff.

Hiring in the restaurant industry is a unique challenge. The fast-paced environment demands efficient tools to attract, screen, and onboard new talent. Here, we’ll analyze several straightforward apps that can simplify this process, comparing their features, pricing, and suitability for your needs.

How Does Rotahr Support Restaurant Hiring?

Rotahr provides a comprehensive solution that includes staff scheduling, availability tracking, and digital HACCP food safety records, but it does not specialize solely in hiring.

While Rotahr is primarily focused on scheduling and operational management for restaurants, it does offer some features that can aid in the hiring process indirectly. For example, it allows you to track staff availability and manage schedules efficiently, which can be crucial once new hires are onboarded. However, for dedicated hiring features like applicant tracking systems or recruitment marketing, you might need to supplement Rotahr with another tool.

What Are the Key Features of Workable?

Workable is designed specifically for recruitment, offering a robust applicant tracking system (ATS) that simplifies hiring.

Workable is a popular choice among restaurants for its ease of use and powerful hiring features. Some key aspects include:

• Job Posting: Distribute job listings across multiple job boards and social media channels at once.
• Applicant Tracking: Manage applications through a simple dashboard.
• Collaboration Tools: Allows team members to leave feedback on candidates.
• Mobile Access: Review applications on-the-go with a mobile app.

Pricing for Workable typically ranges from about EUR 99 to EUR 399 per month, depending on the features and number of users. This pricing model is based on a per-job basis, which can be beneficial for restaurants that hire frequently.

Related: Handling Staff Disputes in a Restaurant or Bar

How Does BambooHR Compare for Restaurant Hiring?

BambooHR offers an extensive HR platform that includes hiring features tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, making it suitable for restaurants.

BambooHR is another solid option for restaurant hiring. Some standout features include:

• Applicant Tracking System: Streamlined hiring process with automated workflows.
• Employee Records: Centralized storage for employee documents and onboarding tasks.
• Reporting: Advanced reporting tools to track hiring metrics and performance.

Pricing for BambooHR starts around EUR 99 per month, but it's best to check their website for the most current details. This plan includes access to hiring features and other HR functionalities, which can be beneficial if you plan to manage more than just hiring.

What Are the Costs Associated with Hiring Apps?

Hiring apps vary widely in pricing, with most charging a flat fee or per-user fee, which can significantly impact costs based on your team size.

For restaurants with a smaller team, Rotahr's flat pricing can be more economical, especially as it doesn't charge per employee. However, if your primary need is a hiring solution, Workable or BambooHR may better serve your needs with their dedicated hiring features.

Related: Reducing Staff Turnover in Restaurants and Hotels

What This Costs in Practice

To illustrate how pricing works, let’s consider a restaurant with 20 staff members in Ireland.

If the restaurant chooses Rotahr, it would fall under the Pro plan, which costs EUR 89 per month. After the first three months, which are free, the restaurant would then pay EUR 89 monthly thereafter. Over the course of a year after the free trial, the total cost would be EUR 1,068.

In contrast, if the same restaurant opted for Workable, assuming they use it for one job posting during the year, they might spend anywhere from EUR 99 to EUR 399 depending on the plan they select. This could lead to a cost ranging from EUR 99 to EUR 399 for that single job, plus additional costs if they post more jobs throughout the year.

When Should You Choose Each App?

Pick Rotahr if you need an all-in-one solution for scheduling and compliance, while Workable is ideal for dedicated hiring processes, and BambooHR is great for comprehensive HR management.

• Choose Rotahr if your main focus is on employee scheduling, compliance, and managing food safety records. It’s a practical choice if you don’t need extensive hiring tools.
• Choose Workable if you prioritize a dedicated hiring process and need advanced applicant tracking capabilities. This is ideal for restaurants that frequently hire and require support managing large volumes of applications.
• Choose BambooHR if you want a comprehensive HR management solution that includes hiring but also encompasses other HR functions like performance tracking and employee records management.

Related: Cross-Training Staff: Building a More Flexible Team

When NOT to Pick Rotahr

While Rotahr is a strong option for restaurant scheduling and compliance, it may not be the best fit for every situation.

• Limited to Hospitality: Rotahr is specifically designed for the hospitality sector, meaning it is not suitable for retail, healthcare, warehouses, or office environments.
• Young Product: As a relatively new offering from a small independent company, it may lack some of the enterprise-level features and third-party integrations that larger, more established platforms provide.
• Flat Pricing: For very small teams, such as a venue with only 3 or 4 staff, Rotahr's flat pricing may not be the best value compared to per-employee plans offered by competitors.
• No Free Forever Tier: Unlike some competitors, Rotahr does not offer a free forever tier for new users; instead, it provides a free trial for the first three months.

In conclusion, each app has its merits, and your choice should be guided by your specific needs and budget. If your restaurant is looking for a straightforward hiring app, consider what features are most important to you and how they align with your operational goals.

Related: Rotahr

Want to see how this works in practice? Explore Rotahr — scheduling, bookings, food safety and payroll for restaurants, bars and hotels.