How much does restaurant software cost in New Zealand?
Restaurant software has a few cost parts: the subscription, the hardware in the venue, and the terminal you use for payments. Figures vary by supplier and by module, so confirm what each quote includes in writing before you sign.
Short answer
- Online restaurant software is usually paid as a subscription, and the exact figure is set in each supplier's quote.
- The cost depends on the modules you use and on the hardware your floor and kitchen need.
- Compare two or three written quotes for the same list of modules, so the comparison is like for like.
- Your EFTPOS terminal or POS is a separate cost, because 4restaurants.net does not take payments.
What you pay for
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 | Bookings, a menu with recipe cards, kitchen orders and stock, in one application | Modules depend on the chosen supplier |
| Hardware | Floor terminals and kitchen screens, at their own cost | The same hardware, plus a dedicated computer |
| Maintenance and backups | The vendor's responsibility, to confirm in the contract | On you or on an IT adviser |
What New Zealand rules add
- New Zealand does not require a special cash register for sales, but your records must meet Inland Revenue (IRD) requirements. Check with your accountant.
- Food control plans and national programmes under the Food Act 2014 need records and training, which is a real cost to plan for. Check with your local council.
- Your menu needs clear prices and allergen information for food you serve, under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Check the detail with your food safety adviser.
Practical example
Example: a 50-seat bistro in Christchurch with terminals for the waiters and kitchen equipment. For a venue like this, the application covers bookings on the floor plan, the QR digital menu, orders sent to the kitchen, ingredient stock and reports. The hardware goes on a separate line in the start-up budget.
Work out the first-year cost: the subscription for twelve months, plus the hardware, paid once. Compare that total with your venue's turnover to see whether the proportion suits you.
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 EFTPOS terminal or POS, which you need for payments whatever software you use.
- Paying for a costly setup without checking whether your venue needs one.
- Picking the cheapest quote without checking which hardware and modules you actually need.
How 4restaurants.net helps
- A monthly subscription, with the costs itemised in the quote, for one online application.
- Bookings, a menu with recipe cards, kitchen orders, stock and shift clock-in in one account.
- You set up the menu and recipe cards in the application as you prepare them.