Zenchef

What Zenchef is

Zenchef is restaurant management software built around ZenchefOS, which brings reservation, payment and guest-loyalty tools into one system. Restaurants can accept online bookings through a website widget, Google Reserve and the Zenchef guest app. Reserve includes a 24/7 call assist and guest reviews; Manage adds table management, a waitlist and booking through Instagram and Facebook. Grow adds email campaigns, advanced guest management and multi-location guest management. The platform supports prepayments and deposits to help reduce no-shows, with payment fees varying by plan and payment type. Zenchef also offers integrations across point of sale, booking, operations, marketing, loyalty and property management, including Square, Oracle MICROS and Lightspeed. API access requires a Grow subscription or a special agreement. ZenchefOS has iOS and Android apps for monitoring reservations and guest details and managing restaurant availability. Zenchef describes its plans as providing total data ownership and says its CRM uses 100% owned data. Reserve is €129 a month, Manage is €169 a month and Grow is €249 a month.

Who it suits

Reserve is presented for independent restaurants, Manage for busy venues, and Grow for restaurant groups and fine dining venues. It suits restaurants that want online reservations alongside guest and table-management tools.

Limits

There is no free plan. Reserve costs €129 a month; API access requires Grow or a special agreement, and payment fees vary by plan and payment type.

Getting started

1. Visit the Zenchef website.
2. Choose Reserve, Manage or Grow based on the tools your restaurant needs.
3. Book a demo with a dedicated expert.
4. Use the web platform or install the iOS or Android app.
5. Set up reservations through a website widget, Google Reserve or the Zenchef guest app.

Verdict

Choose Zenchef if your restaurant needs online reservations and wants to add operational or guest-management tools by plan. Independent restaurants can consider Reserve, while groups and fine dining venues are the stated audience for Grow. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or API access without Grow or a special agreement.