While starting a new business venture in the food and beverage industry is quite exciting, it can also be a very difficult and time-consuming process. Whether you are a “newbie” entrepreneur trying to launch a new restaurant or one that has been in the food and beverage business for many years, it is no secret that you have to keep up with technology in order to improve your everyday operations and to ensure the overall success of your business. Thankfully, Florida is home to a number of successful companies that have created different types of software that help improve the food and beverage industry. Implementing different tools and resources that are right at your fingertips, no matter what industry you are in, not only keeps your business organized, but also helps you reach your business goals much more efficiently.

Although there are many software companies throughout Florida that entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry can partner up with, below is a short list of a few that we know of that are quite innovative and that will help get your research kicked-off to a good start.

SiteZeus – (www.SiteZeus.com)

SiteZeus is a Tampa-based startup that develops and sells intelligence software. One particular software that they have created is called SiteZeus Synergy. Let’s say that you are a restaurant, retail store, or hospitality business that is looking to expand your business. SiteZeus would be a great resource to help you find that prime location for your new expansion. For example, you would input as much information as possible about your current location into their software — its visibility, signage, indoor/outdoor seating count, revenue, etc. Then, through the use of a map, you would point to the exact location of your new expansion. The software then pulls information together and provides you with some statistical numbers to help you evaluate whether this particular location would be a hit or flop — it predicts revenue, how many competitors are in that particular area, home values, education levels, religion, jobs, ethnicity, transportation, basic points of interest to know how many Colleges and Universities are in that area, retail shopping, etc.

Although SiteZeus does not specifically recommend a particular location, it does, however, help you make a thorough evaluation before you make that leap.

Eventplicity – (www.Eventplicity.com)

Eventplicity is a Gainesville-based startup that develops a sales system for booking events. Eventplicity caters to restaurants that are looking to make their private event booking-process easier for their customers. For example, those restaurants who partner with Eventplicity allow their customers to book their private event or corporate function by simply going on their restaurant website. This particular system encompasses the following features to help restaurants generate revenue through private events and corporate functions:

1. Book Online: Allows customers to book online any time of the day or night.
2. Virtual Tours: Helps customers visualize the rental space by giving them a virtual tour.
3. Manager Approval: Bookings go through a manager approval process to ensure the details match the manager’s requirements.
4. Upsell Opportunities: An upsell option is given with every proposal to maximize revenue for the restaurant.
5. Real Time Updates: Proposal details are automatically synced as changes are made by the customer to ensure most up-to-date information.
6. Flexible Menu Options: It supports all types of menu options since every restaurant is different — from Buffet styles, to Catering Stations, to Family Style, etc.

Other features also exist, such as bar packages, space amenities, equipment rentals, table setup options, customer payment policies, minimum spends, payment plans, seasonability, blackout dates, and premium dates.

Datum Technologies – (www.Datumtechnologies.com)

Datum Technologies is a Sarasota-based startup that provides IT services for multi-unit restaurants. Datum manages both restaurant and corporate level technology for multi-unit restaurants. Their IT services help lower labor costs, increase table run, save time, maximize profits, and help restaurants overall run more efficiently. Some of the key things they provide is online ordering, cloud backup & business continuity, KDS implementation, PCI consulting and remediation, gift card rollouts, biometric and video security.

Although this blog provides you with just a brief overview of some of the Florida-based software companies that help improve the food and beverage industry, please keep in mind that there are many more, so we hope that you continue this research so that you can feel confident you are implementing into your business the best possible software to fit your business needs.

This blog was written by Hunter Business Law’s associate attorney, Elena Krekovic. Learn more about Elena HERE.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not offer nor substitute legal advice. Additionally, this blog does not establish an attorney-client relationship and is not for advertising or solicitation purposes. Any of the content contained herein shall not be used to make any decision without first consulting an attorney. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision not to be based on advertisements, or blogs. Hunter Business Law expressly disclaims any and all liability in regard to any actions, or lack thereof, based on any contents of this blog.