How much does restaurant software cost in Canada?
The cost of restaurant software has three main parts: the subscription, the hardware for the floor and kitchen, and your payment equipment. Compare written quotes for the same modules.
Short answer
- Online restaurant software is usually paid by subscription; the exact figure is set in the quote.
- The cost depends on the modules you use and the hardware your floor and kitchen need.
- For a typical restaurant, compare two or three written quotes for the same list of modules.
- Floor terminals and kitchen equipment are a separate cost to settle on their own.
- Your payment terminal and any point-of-sale system are separate costs, set up with your provider.
What you pay for (components)
The cost components of restaurant software
| Component | Online (e.g. 4restaurants.net) | Installed on site |
|---|---|---|
| Platform and hosting | A monthly subscription for the online application | A separate licence, plus the venue's own server and backup copies |
| Restaurant modules | Reservations, recipe-card menu, kitchen orders and stock, in one application | Modules depend on the chosen supplier |
| Hardware | Tablets or terminals for the floor and kitchen, bought separately | The same hardware, plus a dedicated computer |
| Payments and receipts | Your existing payment terminal and point-of-sale process | Terminal and point-of-sale software, chosen separately |
What the rules say
- Sales tax (GST, HST, provincial taxes) varies by province. Confirm the bill layout with your accountant.
- CRA requires sales records for at least six years. Check that the software can export them.
Practical example
Imagine a 50-seat bistro. The application covers the floor plan, the QR menu, kitchen orders, stock and reports; the hardware goes in the start-up budget.
Work out the first-year cost: twelve months of subscription plus the hardware, then compare it with your annual sales.
Common mistakes
- Comparing only the base subscription and ignoring the modules you need, such as stock or shift clock-in.
- Forgetting the cost of your payment terminal and any point-of-sale system, which you need anyway.
- Picking the cheapest offer without checking which hardware and modules you really need.
How 4restaurants.net helps
- A monthly subscription, with the costs itemized in the quote, for an online application.
- Reservations, a menu with recipe cards, kitchen orders, stock and shift clock-in in one account.