Restaurants, pubs, and boutique hotels face endless challenges with inventory, from wrestling with spreadsheets to handling unpredictable costs. Manually tracking ingredients, calculating dish costs, and sorting supplier invoices consumes hours that could be spent on creating great food or growing the business. UK hospitality businesses lose an estimated £3 billion each year to stock wastage and inefficiency due to outdated systems through poor inventory practices. Many kitchens dedicate 10 to 20 hours weekly to these tasks, pulling focus away from customers and strategy.
Inventory management software offers a solution by providing real-time cost control, accurate data for your team, and a direct path to better profits. This guide covers the top software options for UK professional kitchens in 2025, helping owners gain oversight of costs and margins while freeing chefs from tedious calculations. With the right tools, everyone can focus on what they do best. Our customers, like Ruth Seggie of The Howard Arms, have boosted gross profit to 80% using Jelly, gaining peace of mind with controlled costs. Ready to simplify your operations? Book a chat at https://www.getjelly.co.uk/chat.
Why Real-Time Inventory Control Matters for Growing Kitchens
Traditional inventory methods, like scattered spreadsheets or manual counts, delay financial updates, costing businesses thousands. By the time accountants send monthly reports, supplier price hikes or low-margin issues are already problems. This gap leaves management unable to act quickly, especially without deep kitchen expertise.
Manual systems create specific challenges that hurt profitability. Without centralised stock visibility, one location might overstock while another runs out, slowing down solutions and wasting resources. Add regional supply disruptions and UK price volatility for ingredients, and multi-site operations face even bigger hurdles.
Specialised inventory software for professional kitchens cuts through this confusion with instant data. For instance, calculating a dish’s cost takes 28 minutes in a spreadsheet, but systems like Jelly reduce it to just 3 minutes. This speed helps protect margins when ingredient prices shift due to inflation or supplier changes. Want to take control of your kitchen’s efficiency? Book a chat at https://www.getjelly.co.uk/chat.
Top 7 Inventory Management Tools for 2025
After thorough research, here are the leading inventory management solutions for kitchens in restaurants, bars, and boutique hotels, tailored to streamline operations.
- Jelly
- MarketMan
- Nory
- Kitchen Cut
- Toast POS (with Inventory add-on)
- Rezku POS (with Inventory add-on)
- YellowDog
1. Jelly: Simplify Kitchen Operations
Jelly helps growing professional kitchens manage food and beverage operations by automating invoices, inventory, and menu profitability. Built for businesses with over £500,000 in annual revenue, it prioritises clear, actionable data over complex features. Its strength lies in turning complicated back-of-house finances into straightforward, automated processes.
Key Features
- Automated Invoice Scanning to digitise every detail: quantity, SKU, price, tax.
- Real-Time Insights Dashboard to track spending by supplier.
- Price Alert system to spot supplier price changes instantly.
- Flash Report for daily Gross Profit margins from costs and sales.
- Menu Engineering with POS integration for systems like Square and ePOSnow.
- Automated Dish Costing via a centralised digital cookbook.
- Live Dish Profit Margins updated with each new invoice.
- Delivery Menu Creation accounting for commission costs.
- One-click integration with Xero for easy accounting.
Advantages
- Easy-to-use interface, accessible even for non-tech-savvy staff.
- Fast onboarding with value delivered in the first week.
- Instant data for quick decisions on kitchen profitability.
- Cuts admin time by 10 to 20 hours monthly.
- Reduces food costs by an average of 3% in three months.
- Clear pricing at £129 per month per location.
- Equips staff with data for better supplier negotiations.
Limitations
- Currently focused on the UK market.
- Lacks some features of larger enterprise platforms to keep things simple.
Integrations
- Xero, cutting bookkeeping time by up to 90%.
- Square and ePOSnow for sales data.
- Email and mobile camera for invoice capture.
Who Benefits from Jelly?
- Growing kitchens needing centralised control.
- Owners and finance directors seeking clear financial data.
- Executive chefs managing food costs and menu profits.
- Businesses wanting quick, effective solutions.
Jelly automates everything from invoices to dish costing, helping you regain control and increase profits. Book a chat at https://www.getjelly.co.uk/chat.
2. MarketMan: Detailed Control for Multi-Site Operations
MarketMan offers in-depth inventory management for restaurants, bars, and hotels, ideal for multi-site businesses needing custom options. It provides robust tools for tracking and managing stock across locations.
Key Features
- Inventory tracking and reporting for multiple sites.
- Recipe costing and menu management for chains.
- Purchase ordering and supplier oversight.
- Inter-site transfer functionality.
- Waste tracking and analysis.
Advantages
- Extensive features for detailed inventory control.
- Strong tools for purchasing and supplier management.
- Supports multi-location tracking and reporting.
Limitations
- Complex setup, especially for multiple kitchens.
- Higher costs, varying by business size.
- Initial setup can be challenging due to detailed features.
Integrations
- POS systems like Aloha, Micros, and Toast.
- Accounting tools such as QuickBooks and Xero.
Who Benefits from MarketMan?
- Restaurant groups or multi-site operators with admin support.
- Businesses needing custom, feature-heavy solutions.
3. Nory: AI-Powered Inventory Insights
Nory combines inventory, forecasting, and team management with AI, analysing sales history, weather, and events to predict stock needs for each location.
Key Features
- AI-driven forecasting for stock and sales predictions.
- Centralised recipe costing and menu management.
- Supplier ordering and invoice tracking.
- Staff scheduling and team oversight.
- Inter-location transfer reconciliation.
Advantages
- AI forecasts to optimise stock levels.
- Reduces waste with predictive data.
- Blends inventory and staff management for a full view.
Limitations
- Newer system with features still developing.
- AI complexity may overwhelm kitchens without data experts.
- Onboarding takes time, and the interface can feel cumbersome.
Integrations
- Various POS systems.
- Accounting and HR platforms.
Who Benefits from Nory?
- Restaurant groups exploring AI for efficiency.
- Operators wanting a solution beyond inventory, covering team management.
4. Kitchen Cut: Established System for Large Operations
Kitchen Cut focuses on recipe management, costing, and inventory for larger hotels and catering firms. It offers proven tools but may lack the agility of newer platforms.
Key Features
- Recipe and menu management for consistency.
- Nutritional and allergen tracking for compliance.
- Centralised inventory and procurement.
- Supplier management tools.
Advantages
- Well-established with a broad feature set.
- Focuses on compliance for large businesses.
- Handles complexities of multi-site setups.
Limitations
- More expensive and complex to implement.
- Lacks real-time updates compared to cloud-first tools.
- Interface feels dated, requiring more staff training.
Integrations
- Some POS and procurement partnerships, though manual data entry may be needed.
Who Benefits from Kitchen Cut?
- Large hotel chains or catering firms with IT support.
- Businesses focused on recipe and compliance over live financial data.
5. Toast POS: Inventory Add-On for Existing Users
Toast, mainly a POS system for restaurants, includes inventory management as an add-on, centralising data for users already in its ecosystem.
Key Features
- Multi-site POS functionality.
- Centralised inventory tracking for ingredients.
- Recipe costing tools.
- Vendor management and ordering.
Advantages
- Smooth integration for Toast POS users.
- Unified system for sales and back-of-house data.
Limitations
- Inventory tools lack depth compared to dedicated software.
- Costly if only inventory features are needed.
Integrations
- Built into the Toast ecosystem.
- API for some accounting software.
Who Benefits from Toast POS?
- Restaurants using or planning to use Toast POS.
- Operations needing basic inventory alongside POS.
6. Rezku POS: Broad Management with Inventory
Rezku, another POS system, includes inventory management within its restaurant management suite, offering a unified approach for operators.
Key Features
- Multi-site POS functionality.
- Inventory tracking across locations.
- Kitchen display system for orders.
- Customer relationship management tools.
Advantages
- Integrated setup avoids compatibility issues.
- Provides wide-ranging restaurant management options.
Limitations
- Inventory features aren’t as robust as specialised tools.
- May offer more than needed for focused inventory needs.
Integrations
- Part of the Rezku ecosystem.
Who Benefits from Rezku POS?
- Restaurants seeking a full POS and basic inventory solution.
7. YellowDog: Cloud-Based Scalable Inventory
YellowDog provides cloud-based inventory management for hospitality and other industries, focusing on streamlined operations and waste reduction across sites.
Key Features
- Inventory tracking for multiple locations.
- Recipe and menu management for uniformity.
- Waste tracking and management.
- Centralised ordering and receiving.
Advantages
- Cloud access for oversight from anywhere.
- Emphasises waste reduction for better profits.
- Scales with growing businesses.
Limitations
- Less tailored to detailed kitchen needs.
- Interface can feel generic for food and beverage use.
Integrations
- Various POS and accounting connections.
Who Benefits from YellowDog?
- Hospitality businesses wanting a versatile, scalable tool.
- Operations valuing cloud access and waste management.
Comparing Inventory Tools for 2025
| Feature/Benefit | Jelly | MarketMan | Nory | Kitchen Cut | Excel/Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Dish Costing | ✅ Updates instantly with invoices | 🟡 Updates available but not always immediate | 🟡 AI-driven, but may vary | 🔴 Static, manual updates | ❌ Fully manual |
| Onboarding Time to Value | ✅ Initial value in 1 week | 🟡 Weeks/months for setup | 🟡 Weeks/months for complex integrations | 🔴 Months for enterprise deployment | ✅ Instant setup, no automation |
| Automated Invoice Scanning | ✅ Every line item digitised | 🟡 Basic invoice processing | 🟡 Some automation | 🔴 Manual entry required | ❌ Manual entry |
| Simplicity & Ease of Use | ✅ Clean UI, minimal tech-savviness needed | 🟡 Setup may be detailed for some users | 🟡 AI can be steep learning curve | 🔴 Dated UI, complex training | 🟡 Flexible but error-prone |
| Targeted for Growing UK Kitchens | ✅ Built for this segment | 🟡 Suitable for various business sizes | 🟡 Broader AI focus | 🔴 Large chains focus | 🟡 Any size, not specialised |
| Price Alerts & Supplier Data | ✅ Flags every change | 🟡 Some reporting | 🟡 AI insights, less granular | 🔴 No real-time alerts | ❌ Manual comparison |
| Monthly Cost Transparency | ✅ £129/month flat rate | 🟡 Variable/tiered pricing | 🟡 Variable/tiered pricing | 🔴 Expensive | ✅ Free |
Why Jelly Stands Out for Kitchen Inventory
Jelly vs MarketMan: Jelly offers unmatched ease of use and faster value compared to MarketMan, ideal for growing kitchens needing quick insights. While MarketMan has a broad feature set, Jelly focuses on critical inventory and profitability tools with a clear, user-friendly design for easy team adoption.
Jelly vs Nory: Unlike Nory’s wide-ranging AI platform with staff management and forecasting, Jelly concentrates on food and beverage automation. It delivers clear invoice processing and real-time costing without complexity. Nory takes a broader approach, but Jelly provides focused, actionable data for kitchen profits.
Jelly vs Kitchen Cut: Jelly brings dynamic, real-time updates and a modern interface compared to Kitchen Cut’s comprehensive but slower setup. Kitchen Cut costs more and takes longer to implement, while Jelly offers immediate insights for kitchens reacting to daily price changes and margin protection.
Gain Control with Modern Inventory Solutions
Manual inventory struggles, unpredictable costs, and delayed data hinder growing kitchens. These issues waste time, cut profits, and limit control over performance. Scaling from single to multi-site demands new technology and staff training to manage expansion.
Specialised software like Jelly tackles these challenges by automating complex tasks. It offers instant insights into costs, profits, and supplier pricing, helping owners and chefs make informed choices fast. With live inventory data, chefs can adjust orders and menus to avoid shortages, overstock, and waste while boosting efficiency. The right tool shifts you from reacting to problems to preventing them. Jelly streamlines food and beverage operations for growing kitchens, making back-of-house finances manageable and profitable. Ready to cut costs and gain control? Book a chat at https://www.getjelly.co.uk/chat.
Common Questions About Inventory Software
How Much Time Can Software Save My Kitchen?
Kitchens often spend 10 to 20 hours weekly on manual inventory, invoice reconciliation, and dish costing. Tools like Jelly automate up to 90% of these tasks, freeing time for growth, customer focus, and core operations. Dish costing, for example, drops from 28 minutes per item to just 3 minutes with automation.
Does Software Help Cut Food Waste?
Inventory systems reduce waste by offering precise stock control and predictive insights. Real-time visibility into usage, expiration dates, and ordering patterns prevents overstocking that leads to spoilage and understocking that triggers costly rush orders. AI tools can use past data to suggest optimal stock levels, ensuring efficient ingredient use without sacrificing quality.
Is Inventory Software Only for Large Chains?
No, modern cloud-based tools like Jelly target growing kitchens with revenues over £500,000. They balance automation with ease of use, fitting businesses without dedicated IT staff. These solutions deliver high-level insights without the complexity, helping smaller operators scale and compete.
How Does Automated Invoice Scanning Function?
Invoice scanning uses optical character recognition to digitise supplier invoices from emails or mobile photos. It pulls details like quantity, SKU, price, and tax automatically, removing manual entry and errors. This data updates ingredient costs instantly across the system for accurate dish costing and margins without staff effort.
What Should I Consider When Choosing Software?
Look for tools with quick setup, real-time cost updates, and simple interfaces for staff adoption. Key features include automated invoice processing, instant dish costing, price alerts, and integration with POS or accounting systems. Weigh total costs, including setup and training, beyond just monthly fees. The right software should make operations easier and provide clear data for better decisions.