HotSchedules Review - why 4.3 stars?

Shlomi Lavi / updated: May 26, 2022

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What is HotSchedules?

HotSchedules offers an employee scheduling solution. The software includes web based scheduling, an employee communications platform, as well as integration with POS systems for advanced sales forecasting.

HotSchedules was founded in 1999 with the goal of developing solutions for restaurants that improve productivity and efficiency. Its products include GoHire for hiring & onboarding as well as Schoox for training & development, in addition to its HotSchedules product.

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Who is it best for?

The product is focused on the restaurant industry addressing both large franchises as well as single restaurants. The product is offered as a cloud based solution which is accessible via the web as well as mobile devices such as smart phones.

HotSchedules is suited for restaurants that are managing all their scheduling requirements manually which is labor intensive and time consuming. The product is designed to deliver easy-to-use employee scheduling facilities that allow restaurant managers to track resource availability, leave requests, certifications, as well as daily & weekly time and shift allocations. This is good for restaurants as it improves productivity as well as ensures employee scheduling is optimized to match the restaurant staffing requirements.

Additionally the product provides a messaging platform to communicate with staff via email or SMS to ensure schedules and store updates are advised in real time. This ensures no delays in transmission of information which is another common problem for restaurants. Finally as a cloud based solution the product requires no significant technology investment or software maintenance, which means a cost effective solution with limited management needs so that restaurants can focus on their core activities.

Customers for HotSchedules include Hopdaddy Burger Bar, Crave Hospitality, Edina Grill, Forever Yogurt, Kerby Lane Café and Lazy Dog.

Main features and functionalities

Employee schedule creation is streamlined in HotSchedules by using standard templates and an auto-scheduler so that updates are incorporated into the schedule automatically. This includes a workflow process as well to ensure that managers can approve any schedule and information changes. There is also a meal period planner that schedules employee breaks to minimize non work times. Additionally HotSchedules can create detailed forecasts based on activity obtained via POS systems integration to determine optimal scheduling requirements.

HotSchedules supports mobile device access so restaurant managers can manage & update schedules remotely, while also ensuring staff are updated regularly and in real time. Additionally there is a digital logbook to keep track of notes & activities of the restaurant while ensuring easy searching for information. The product includes a detailed reporting module to track things such as labor budgets, overtime, staffing utilization and sales, as well as a reporting console for data analysis. Finally there is support for employee pay cards through the PaychekPLUS service as well as a Pay Control module to compare your labor & payroll costs.

HotSchedules also include floor map support which can be custom designed to the restaurant specifications. Additionally the product itself can be customized by the vendor if specific requirements or workflows are needed.

What is the actual cost?

The cost of license starts at $49 per month. ITQlick pricing score is 2 out of 10 (10 is most expensive). Access ITQlick pricing guide for HotSchedules. You can also find here pricing information from HotSchedules's website.

Pros

• Mobile device access of the application is supported by HotSchedules
• HotSchedules is well organized and easy to navigate
• Users have the convenience of viewing their work schedule remotely and anywhere
• The software conducts the task needed for Calendar, scheduling, and attendance
• Restaurants are able to do payroll aggregation by comparing labor costs and payroll

Cons

• Users complain that the schedule report is challenging to read
• The product does not provide an on premise solution
• Customization of the product can only be done via the vendor at additional cost
• HotSchedules does not provide social collaboration tools
• Integration with third party software is not supported by HotSchedules

How it stacks up?

Access a head to head analysis of HotSchedules vs alternative software solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is HotSchedules right for you or your business?

HotSchedules is an employee scheduling and labor management program developed for restaurants, retail and hospitality industries, and other customer-facing organizations. HotScheduleshas customers like Newks Eatery, TGI Fridays, PAUL Depuis, etc