Any multi-unit restaurant operators in the business know the hustle is real. From managing invoices to optimizing inventory, to putting out fires (yes, sometimes the literal ones too), there’s always something to tackle. That’s where restaurant management software solutions like Restaurant365 and MarginEdge swoop in to save the day.
But with both tools boasting a suite of features promising to streamline your operations, help you cut costs and stay profitable in our ever-changing industry, how do you pick the one that’s right for you?
We've got you covered! We’re breaking down the pros and cons of Restaurant365 and MarginEdge across critical factors so you can find out what you really need to know, cut through all the marketing fluff and make the right decision for your multi-unit restaurant business.
Pricing transparency
- MarginEdge simplifies budgeting with straightforward pricing. Expect an initial setup fee and a flat monthly fee per location that covers unlimited invoice processing, bill payments and best-in-class onboarding support led by a multi-unit specialized team. No hidden fees mean no unpleasant surprises.
- Restaurant365, on the other hand, offers more extensive features but comes with added complexity in pricing. Depending on your choice of features and integrations, additional costs can stack up quickly, especially when you have multiple locations.
⚖️ Verdict: For clear, predictable pricing, MarginEdge is the standout choice.
Ease of use and training
- MarginEdge is built by restaurant operators for restaurant operators. Its intuitive interface and responsive support team make onboarding and training new hires a breeze. They even offer tiered onboarding packages to match your team’s specific needs.
- Restaurant365 delivers powerful tools but it can feel overwhelming, especially for teams without dedicated resources to manage its setup and ongoing use. A steeper learning curve often means a slower onboarding process. They offer a self-guided online training program, webinars and self-help resources.
⚖️ Verdict: If you want simple, intuitive software, friendly onboarding and built-in tools that make training new hires simpler, MarginEdge has your back.
Integration capabilities
- MarginEdge seamlessly connects with more than 60 POS and accounting systems, including popular platforms like QuickBooks and Toast. Real-time data syncing ensures you stay ahead without manual updates, even if you use multiple types of POSs across your stores and concepts. This also means that if your POS or accounting needs change as your business grows, you don't need to turn over your entire tech stack and start from scratch.
- Restaurant365, as an all-in-one platform, reduces the need for outside systems. However, aligning your existing tools with their system can require significant setup and, at times, compromises, especially if you have more than one kind of accounting or POS provider. It can also make scaling your accounting processes more difficult down the line if you need more flexibility as you grow.
⚖️ Verdict: If you prefer a solution that easily plugs into your existing ecosystem, without having to change the rest of your tech stack, MarginEdge wins. However, if you need a platform to do “everything,” Restaurant365 could be your pick.
Invoice processing automation
- MarginEdge offers fast, accurate invoice processing thanks to its combination of advanced technology and human review. It's intuitive vendor product mapping saves you hours in manual adjustments, giving you real-time updates on your costs across all store locations. Repeat purchases are also auto-categorized for you, even if you purchase them from a new vendor.
- Restaurant365 also automates invoice processing but relies more on user inputs for proper categorization. This leaves room for occasional errors, especially with complex invoices and multiple vendors.
⚖️ Verdict: For speed and precision in invoice automation, MarginEdge shines.
Inventory management
- MarginEdge excels in inventory management with tools like automatic pricing updates, mobile inventory tracking (even in sketchy walk-in wifi) and customizable “sheet-to-shelf” organization. Its smart bar inventory tools add an extra layer of efficiency, streamlining counts for liquor-heavy concepts, and customizability means all of your stores can use the same count sheet, or one that works best for each.
- Restaurant365 also offers automatic pricing updates and mobile capabilities but lacks the robust bar inventory features that MarginEdge provides.
⚖️ Verdict: While both platforms perform well, MarginEdge’s flexibility and bar inventory tools make it a better fit for multi-location operators looking to simplify inventory tasks.
Commissary capabilities
- MarginEdge simplifies commissary kitchen operations by converting recipes into products with dynamic pricing, generating order guides and automating prep and pack lists for efficient transfers to multiple locations. It also integrates with accounting systems, tracks costs and offers tools to organize and streamline commissary workflows.
- Restaurant365 streamlines commissary kitchen operations by centralizing recipe, inventory and cost management, enabling consistent food prep and efficient ordering across multiple locations. It also offers tools for labor savings, performance tracking and revenue opportunities, making it an ideal solution for multi-location restaurant groups.
⚖️ Verdict: For multi-unit restaurant groups prioritizing operational efficiency, MarginEdge stands out with its dynamic recipe-to-product conversion, automated prep and pack lists, and streamlined commissary order management, while Restaurant365 offers robust centralized tools and revenue opportunities.
Reporting and analytics
- MarginEdge delivers daily controllable P&L reports that let you compare performance for all your stores in one dashboard, theoretical food usage insights and real-time budget and benchmarking dashboards. The easy-to-read reports auto-update with sales and expense data, so both Ops and Finance are on the same page. The focus is on providing actionable, easy-to-understand data without unnecessary complexity.
- Restaurant365 offers advanced reporting with highly customizable options, including labor tracking and detailed variance reports. Its analytics capabilities are more suitable for larger teams that need deep data and have a team or staff available to manage it. Their P&L reports are robust and ideal for financial teams that need a more detailed view.
⚖️ Verdict: For user-friendly, actionable insights, MarginEdge is ideal. For those needing more granular reporting, Restaurant365 is a smart choice.
Recipe and menu analysis
- MarginEdge keeps recipes up-to-date with real-time ingredient price syncing, menu profitability analysis and interactive staff tools like videos and yield calculators for prep support. They also offer a recipe setup service for an extra fee, and a free AI-assisted recipe entry tool that lets you copy and paste your recipes directly into the platform, while the MarginEdge team matches them to your products and digitizes instructions.
- Restaurant365 places emphasis on menu profitability and advanced analytics, helping you spot your winners and underperformers with precision.
⚖️ Verdict: Both excel in this area, but MarginEdge’s operator-focused and AI-assisted approach delivers additional convenience for kitchen teams.
Customer support
- MarginEdge prioritizes customer experience with an easy-to-use helpdesk system, quick responses, hands-on troubleshooting and proactive solutions. Most of their team comes from the industry and deeply understands the realities of running multiple restaurant locations, so they prioritize hospitality and understand issues more clearly.
- Restaurant365 provides accessible customer support but has been noted for slower response times and less personalized service.
⚖️ Verdict: For top-tier support, MarginEdge easily takes the lead.
Best fit
Choose MarginEdge if:
- You want an easy-to-use solution tailored to operators that fit within your existing tech stack.
- Lightning-fast invoice processing and clear pricing matter to you.
- Great customer support is non-negotiable.
Choose Restaurant365 if:
- You need a one-stop shop solution for everything from accounting to workforce management.
- Your operation relies heavily on advanced analytics and reporting.
- You have the staff and bandwidth to manage setup and maintenance for more complex platforms.
The bottom line
Both MarginEdge and Restaurant365 can elevate your multi-unit operations, but the best choice depends on your unique needs. MarginEdge is your go-to for simplicity, integration and ease of use, while Restaurant365 might suit larger operators ready to overhaul their existing systems and invest in an all-encompassing solution, who aren’t worried about eventually outgrowing it. Whatever you choose, these tools are designed to help you juggle less and thrive more.