Free Restaurant Scheduling Software for Restaurants & Cafes

Simplify restaurant staff scheduling, cut errors, and save up to 15 hours each week. Perfect for restaurants, cafes, and bars — manage shifts, time-off, and availability in one easy platform.

Restaurant Scheduling Software

What Shifts Restaurant Scheduling Software Can Do for You

  • Boost Productivity: Automate scheduling for servers, cooks, hosts, and managers.
  • Reduce Costs: Cut unnecessary overtime by aligning shifts with peak dining hours.
  • Improve Guest Experience: Ensure enough staff coverage for smooth service.
  • Optimize Coverage: Balance front-of-house and back-of-house staffing.
  • Increase Employee Satisfaction: Staff access schedules, swap shifts, and request time-off easily.

How Our Shifts App Benefits Your Restaurant

  • Lower Labor Costs: Prevent overstaffing while covering busy shifts.
  • Increase Efficiency: Teams spend less time on admin and more on serving guests.
  • Improve Operations: Right staff, right time — smoother dining experience.
  • Enhance Engagement: Staff manage schedules and requests via mobile app.
  • Reduce Scheduling Errors: Smart rules avoid double bookings and gaps.
  • Boost Restaurant Performance: Centralize scheduling, time-off, and availability.

How Does Restaurant Scheduling Software Work?

Our restaurant scheduling solution makes it easy to manage shifts for all staff roles. Create, optimize, and share schedules effortlessly.

Admin Accounts in Restaurant Scheduling

Managers can quickly create shifts, assign roles, and monitor availability. Conflicts are avoided with centralized requests.

Restaurant Scheduling Software Admin

  • Organize staff by role, department, or location
  • Build schedules from scratch or templates
  • Prevent conflicts with availability and time-off
  • Add notes for specific shifts or stations
  • Use recurrence for regular shifts

Employee Accounts in Restaurant Scheduling

Employees have accounts to view schedules, request time-off, and set availability.

They can swap or pick up shifts, boosting flexibility and engagement.

Restaurant Scheduling Software Employee View


Mobile App for Restaurant Scheduling

Shifts works wherever your team does. Managers edit schedules and staff view shifts on their phones.

Notifications reduce missed shifts and last-minute changes.

Restaurant Scheduling Software Mobile App


Admin Inbox for Scheduling Control

Manage time-off requests, swaps, and shift changes in a single inbox. Approve or decline in seconds.

Restaurant Scheduling Software Inbox


Built-In Messaging for Restaurant Teams

Communicate with staff directly inside Shifts. Share updates or broadcast announcements without external apps.

Restaurant Scheduling Software Messaging

Your questions. Answered!

Here are the most frequently asked questions. Got others or some ideas? — Contact us!

faq illustration
What is restaurant scheduling software and how does it help staff?

Restaurant scheduling software automates staff scheduling, reduces errors, and ensures the right coverage during busy dining hours.

Can Shifts handle multiple restaurants or locations?

Yes. Shifts supports scheduling across multiple restaurants, cafes, or bars. Easily assign roles and shifts.

Can I use Shifts data for payroll?

Yes. Shifts tracks worked hours and labor costs, and you can export data for payroll.

Is there a mobile app for restaurant staff?

Yes. Staff view schedules, request time-off, and receive shift updates on their phones.

How quickly can we set up Shifts for restaurants?

Most restaurants are up and running within a day. Add staff, set availability, and start scheduling.

Is Shifts free for restaurants?

Yes. Shifts is free to start, with paid plans for larger teams or advanced features.

Do employees need training to use Shifts?

No. Shifts is intuitive, and most staff learn it immediately.

Can Shifts handle seasonal or temporary staff?

Yes. Easily add seasonal or part-time staff to your scheduling.

What support is available?

We provide help resources and responsive support for restaurant teams.

What our early customers are saying?

Here are a few reviews about using Shifts from real customers in
different industries and various sizes.

Shifts completely changed the way we coordinate schedules. The interface is intuitive, and team members picked it up in no time. It’s made planning a breeze.”

— Sarah

"Since adopting Shifts, we've eliminated 90% of our scheduling mishaps. It's now the central hub for everything — from shift planning to team communication."

— Mark

"We love how Shifts adapts to our workflows. Tracking time, assigning jobs, and managing multiple locations — it all happens in one place now."

— Emily

"Shifts has made team coordination dramatically easier. The built-in availability and time-off features let us plan ahead with confidence. We especially value the flexibility to assign jobs and track team performance — it’s helped us cut down overtime and plan smarter. Having everything in one app, from scheduling to task checklists, keeps everyone aligned. Shifts has definitely helped us operate more smoothly and stay focused on what matters."

— Alex

"What we love most about Shifts is how it keeps our scheduling organized without overcomplicating things. Assigning shifts, adjusting hours, or reviewing past data — everything is fast and clear. Features like shift notes and built-in task lists ensure our staff knows exactly what to do and when. It helped us identify underused hours and optimize our staffing. It’s a smart, reliable tool that’s now a core part of our team operations."

— Jennifer

"Shifts fits right into our daily operations. From assigning roles to tracking attendance, it’s become a tool we rely on every day to keep things running smoothly."

— Laura

"Shifts helped us get a clear view of labor costs. It’s easy to spot trends, make adjustments, and plan more efficiently — a must-have for any team."

— Michael

“With Shifts, we finally have a reliable way to manage availability. It’s simple, accurate, and makes sure we’re never caught off guard when building the schedule."

— David