Restaurant owners find it challenging to manage payroll and benefits for employees. However, online payroll services can take much of the work off their plate. The best restaurant payroll software can handle fluctuating staffing levels, time and tips tracking, in addition to basic taxes and payroll runs.
With so many options available in the market, selecting the right software can be challenging. That is why the experts at Software Finder have compiled a list of the 9 best payroll services for restaurants. These platforms are built to cut down errors, simplify compliance and give you time to run your restaurant.
Vendor Name | Best For | Standout Features | Pricing |
Gusto | SMBs for basic payroll tasks | Full-service payroll Employee benefits Hiring and onboarding of restaurant staff Insights and reporting
| starts from $49/month |
OnPay | Small business payroll focus | Unlimited pay runs Flexible payment methods Accurate tax calculations Employees self-service portal
| starts from $49/month |
Sure Payroll | Affordable payroll management | User-friendly mobile app Local tax filing Competitive pricing Sleek user interface
| starts from $20/month |
Wave Payroll | Pay contractors and direct deposits | Automated tax calculations Filing direct deposits for restaurant employees Flexible for seasonal employees 24/7 support
| starts from $16/month |
RUN Powered By ADP | Managing payroll of growing enterprises | Ability to grow for smaller businesses Payroll processing Streamlined compliance Benefits management
| starts from $79/month
|
Paycor | Maintaining payroll efficiency | Unified platform Automated payroll processing Time and attendance tracking Reduction in manual effort
| starts from $19/month |
Paychex Flex | Comprehensive payroll solutions | Employee data reporting and analytics Recruitment and applicant tracking Performance management Integration with HR tools
| starts from $39/month |
Rippling | Payroll tasks automation | Data consistency Automated restaurant staff onboarding Easy payroll processing Supportive tax filing
| starts from $21/month |
Gusto is an online and modern people platform that helps several small and growing businesses take care of their teams. Using this software, businesses such as restaurants can maximize their efficiency and scale their businesses successfully.
Regardless of the restaurant size, it is flexible to manage the staff, hiring, and payment system via Gusto. Payroll just takes a few clicks with this tool as it can automate tax filing and helps with compliance.
Using Gusto, restaurants can automate their time tools, team hours, paid time off (PTO), and holidays. It can also be integrated with the latest time-tracking software, helping users stay compliant.
Top Features
- State tax registration for restaurants in all 50 states
- Automatic tax calculations for restaurant employees
- Time tracking systems synced with payroll
- Direct deposits are available
Pricing
- Simple – $49/month + $6/month/user
- Plus - $80/month + $12/month/user
- Premium - $180/month + $22/month/user
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
OnPay is a cloud-based payroll software offering a full range of features such as payroll, integrated benefits, and employee service options. The software can withhold all the payroll taxes with each run and make all the tax payments.
Restaurants prefer OnPay as a payroll service provider as there is no hidden fee and all the setup cost is null.
Top Features:
- Automated tax calculations and filings for restaurant employees
- Immediate payroll reporting
- Time and attendance tracking of staff
- Expert support and multiple payment methods
Pricing:
Base fee $49/month + additional $6/month/user
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
RUN Powered By ADP is a well-known provider of HR, payroll, tax, and benefits administration services to companies around the world. The platform is an all-in-one service that is built to scale new and growing businesses.
The customizability and depth of this tool can be reflected in both its desktop and mobile versions. It is ideal for businesses having 50 employees and facilitates payrolls for all 50 states. If you want to use a tried-and-tested tool that can automate the payroll services of your company, RUN Powered By ADP can be your best bet.
Top Features:
- Employee Information Management
- Recruitment and applicant tracking
- Performance management
- Attendance and time tracking
Pricing:
The prices for RUN Powered By ADP start from $79/month with an additional $4/employee.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
SurePayroll has made the core payroll processing quite easy even for new users. As a premium payroll service provider for restaurants, it includes payroll processing deposit and employee self-service opportunities. Quite a spectrum of necessary payroll elements can be found online on this tool, such as W-2 and 1099 form access.
Top Features:
- Automated payroll processing
- Tax calculations (but not filing)
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Free two-day direct deposit
Pricing:
- Full-service plan - $29/month base fee + $7/employee/month
- No Tax Filing plan - $20/month base fee + $4/employee/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Wave Payroll is cloud-based software that helps small scale restaurants run payroll and file their payroll taxes in one go. It offers free payroll processing for up to 10 employees and the set-up process is also quite straightforward.
Most restaurant businesses agree that Wave Payroll has made payroll processing quite simplified for them due to its free and automated solutions. The best thing about the software is that as a new user, one can complete the entire payroll process for $0/month.
Top Features:
- Generating W2 and 1099 forms for tax season
- Flexible for seasonal employees
- Automatic payroll journal entries
- You can also access self-service pay stubs and tax forms
Pricing
The price for a new payroll starts from $16/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Already known to several business and restaurant owners, ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive global provider of cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions to users. It streamlines HR management with intuitive talent, performance, and payroll tools.
ADP Workforce Now has integrated the experience powers of employees with the innovative payroll solutions that it offers. It has been designed in a way to meet the changing workforce needs of the dynamic world of today.
Top Features:
- Automated onboarding workflows
- Tailored implementation of payroll services and compliance
- Streamlined payroll processing for restaurant employees
- Talent management and tax filing
- Easy shift scheduling
Pricing:
They offer custom pricing. You can ask for a quote from the software after mentioning your business needs and size.
Paycor serves to increase the efficiency and accuracy of companies in their HR departments. For new users, it is quite easy to navigate, and the performance management of clients is quite simpler.
The restaurants owners can use this tool to coach, optimize and maintain the number of their employees with performance reviews and career management guidance. The employee engagement can also be boosted and retained using Paycor.
Top Features:
- Offers EWA on-demand pay
- Offers mobile wallet
- Automatic scheduling of payments
Pricing:
They offer custom pricing options. Their prices start from $19 to $27. These are dependent on the company sizes.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
The basic aim of Paychex Flex is to simplify the complex processes and help restaurants plus other businesses manage their payroll. It can enhance the employee experience and streamline the payroll benefits for the workers. The scalable features of this platform can make companies comply with legal requirements in a much better way.
Top Features:
- You can access the data form anywhere
- It can be integrated with tools like CareerPLug, Jirav etc
- Restaurants can also get the Paychex career listings from this tool
- The Business Continuity Planning (BCP) keeps company on course
Pricing:
This software offers custom pricing. The pricing starts at $39/month plus $5/person.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
Used as a workforce management platform, Rippling is aimed at streamlining the HR and finance processes by the unification of employee data. It can connect all the previously siloed systems and automate tasks across different systems.
Not only that, but this tool can also remove the element of friction from running a business. This software has unified the HR, IT and finance departments. It can be synced directly with your PTO and payroll.
Top Features:
- The payroll processing is fully automated
- Time-tracking integration is available
- Software can be synced with the accounting systems
- It also follows an expense reimbursement processing
Pricing:
Offers custom pricing. The price of this software starts from $21-$29/month for core HR. IT management is available as an add-on, starting from an additional $5.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
Running a restaurant successfully is not a small feat, especially when it is about compliance and payroll. With the help of the right payroll software, you can reduce errors, automate payroll processes, and deliver a great dining experience to your clients.
From the best payroll software for restaurants that we have mentioned above, you can pick any to streamline your payroll operations with solutions tailored to your unique needs.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact Software Finder for personalized advice and learn how our tailored solutions can easily help you manage your restaurant payroll in 2025.