7shifts
Restaurant team management platform for scheduling, payroll, and retention
About 7shifts
7shifts is a restaurant-specific team management platform that simplifies employee scheduling, time tracking, tip management, and payroll for food service businesses. Built exclusively for the restaurant industry, it serves over 55,000 restaurants and helps operators reduce labor costs, improve staff communication, and stay compliant with labor laws.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free plan available for single-location restaurants with up to 30 employees
- Built exclusively for restaurant workflows, not generic HR software
- Strong POS integrations with Toast, Square, Clover, and other systems
- Real-time labor cost visibility during the scheduling process
- Comprehensive mobile apps for both managers and staff
Cons
- Separate 7Punches app required for time clocking adds onboarding friction
- Essential features like tip pooling and compliance locked behind higher tiers
- Add-on costs for payroll, task management, and logbook create unpredictable budgets
- No offline mode for mobile apps
Key Features
Drag-and-Drop Scheduling
Visual shift scheduling with conflict detection, availability management, and labor law compliance alerts.
Mobile Time Clocking
GPS geofencing and photo verification for clock-in/out via the 7Punches companion app.
Team Communication
Built-in team chat with read receipts, announcements, and shift-specific messaging.
Tip Pooling & Distribution
Automated tip pooling, distribution calculations, and tip credit compliance tracking.
Payroll Processing
Restaurant-specific payroll with automatic tip reporting and labor law compliance.
Labor Cost Forecasting
Real-time wage projections and labor-to-sales comparisons during the scheduling process.
AI Auto-Scheduler
Machine learning auto-scheduler that builds optimal schedules based on demand patterns (Gourmet plan).
POS Integrations
Connects with Toast, Square, Clover, and other major restaurant POS systems for sales data.
Pricing
- 1 location, up to 30 employees
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Shift swapping
- Time clocking
- Team messaging
- Up to 50 locations
- Everything in Comp
- Shift feedback
- Auto-scheduling templates
- Enhanced reporting
- Everything in Entree
- Unlimited employees
- Labor compliance tools
- Overtime alerts
- Advanced integrations
- Everything in The Works
- Unlimited locations
- AI auto-scheduler
- Custom reporting
- Priority support
Best For
Multi-Location Scheduling
Centralize scheduling, labor compliance, and communication across multiple restaurant locations.
High-Turnover QSR
Streamline hiring, onboarding, and shift-swapping for quick-service restaurants with frequent staff changes.
Tip Compliance
Automate tip pooling, distribution, and tip credit calculations to stay compliant with labor laws.
Labor Cost Control
Use sales-based labor forecasting to prevent overstaffing and reduce overtime costs.
Featured In
5 Best Tools for Restaurant Owners Managing Multiple Locations (2026)
Best for multi-location restaurant owners whose biggest pain point is labor cost control — connects scheduling to POS sales data so every shift is built on demand, not gut feel.
Best Time Tracking Software for Shift-Based Teams (2026)
Best for restaurants, bars, and hospitality operators who need labor forecasting, tip management, and POS-integrated scheduling in one tool.
Best Employee Time Clock Software for Small Businesses (2026)
Best time clock and scheduling tool for independent restaurants and small multi-location food operations — don't pick it unless food service is your business.
Best Buddy Punch Alternatives for Time Tracking & Scheduling (2026)
Best for restaurant owners and multi-location operators who need labor forecasting and tip pooling built in.
Best Employee Time Tracking Software for Restaurants (2026)
Best for full-service restaurants and multi-unit groups that need scheduling, tip pooling, and live labor-cost dashboards in one platform.