AP Automation for Restaurants is No Longer a Nice-to-Have. Here’s Why…

Specialized technologies continue to play an increasingly important role in restaurant operations. Automated accounts payable (AP) systems are one such technology.

AP automation for restaurant invoice processing is a must-have system. Restaurants are bombarded with tons of invoices all the time. Complications arise from handling, organizing, and transporting paper invoices — not to mention the time and attention required to successfully input their data into your systems.

Restaurant AP automation solves all this. Not by eliminating your bills entirely, but by helping you monitor costs, optimize profitability across your operation, and put time back in your day.

Continue reading to see how AP automation for restaurants unlocks newfound insights and efficiencies.

The old-fashioned way is no longer workable

No restaurant can afford to do things the old-fashioned way anymore.

It’s not sustainable to blindly pay vendor bills without first analyzing prices; and storing invoice papers in a back-office banker’s box literally locks away potential invoice insights.

To manage your invoices and AP more efficiently, it’s time to update your outdated processes using today’s technologies.

xtraCHEF by Toast enables you to do batch paper uploads via scans, photos, or emails, digitizing and storing each within our cloud.

Once invoices are captured, xtraCHEF applies optical character recognition (OCR) to digitize line-item detail and make each document searchable. You can then easily access, evaluate, and share expense information across your team and locations. Search and locate invoice and bill details by vendor, item purchased, amount and more.

All this makes reconciliation and audits easier than ever to navigate. Plus, we already support EDI exchange, so digital invoices can go straight from your vendors into xtraCHEF for analysis.

AP work can be done at home or on the go

xtraCHEF always wants to make it as easy as possible for restaurant industry folks to operate.

It’s increasingly important for businesses to stay dynamic toward shifting workplace needs. Our cloud-based software can help you and your staff work mostly remote, limiting physical contact with paper while still getting AP tasks done.

Gone are the days of spending hours in the back office entering data from invoices in the restaurant’s old PC, or going to a storage location to dig through boxes full of unorganized papers.

Just log in to xtraCHEF, and you can process, code, and approve invoices from wherever you may be—even if it’s on your couch with your phone. We offer apps on both the App Store and Google Play so you don’t need to be tethered to the restaurant to reconcile invoices, review inventory, or manage recipes.

Seamlessly share information between FOH, BOH, and accounting

Don’t wait for a daily sales report or for your accountant to share last month’s P&L statement to know the financial health of your business. Critical business details can be tracked in various xtraCHEF reports and dashboards.

We automatically integrate with other operations software to further eliminate manual data entry. We partner with some of the most common systems in the industry, like Toast and ChefTec, for a more complete and timely look at your COGS, budgets, and overall financial performance.

We also integrate with the most common core accounting systems, like QuickBooks and Sage Intacct, so your digitized invoices are available and accessible at GL or line-item levels.

Need more reasons to automate? We have plenty
Want more convincing that your restaurant operation needs AP automation? Check out our eBook, The Essential Guide to AP Automation for Restaurants, for a deep dive into how else automation can benefit your back of house and operational processes.

You can also request a demo of xtraCHEF by Toast at any time for a personalized look at exactly how our software can help you to save money and time, giving you more opportunity to focus on the aspects of your job that you love the most.

Need more reasons to automate? We have plenty

Want more convincing that your restaurant operation needs AP automation? Check out our eBook, The Essential Guide to AP Automation for Restaurants, for a deep dive into how else automation can benefit your back of house and operational processes.

You can also request a demo of xtraCHEF by Toast at any time for a personalized look at exactly how our software can help you to save money and time, giving you more opportunity to focus on the aspects of your job that you love the most.