French bistros often use digital HACCP tools that differ from Dutch solutions. As an independent bistro owner, you want to know how KitchenNmbrs compares to French alternatives. In this article we compare the key differences and when which solution makes more sense.
French HACCP tools vs. KitchenNmbrs
France has an active market for digital HACCP solutions, especially aimed at the many independent bistros and brasseries. The main players are Koust, Melba and Inpulse.
💡 Example comparison:
French bistro with 40 covers per evening:
- Koust: €89/month, focus on French regulations
- Melba: €79/month, integrated with French suppliers
- KitchenNmbrs: €24.99/month, Dutch interface
Difference: €50-65/month = €600-780/year
Key differences per tool
Koust (France)
- Designed for: French bistros and restaurants
- Focus on: HACCP according to French standards, cost calculation
- Strengths: direct connection to French suppliers, local support
- Price: from €89/month
Melba (France)
- Designed for: independent French hospitality businesses
- Focus on: recipe management, inventory, HACCP
- Strengths: French language, adapted to French regulations
- Price: from €79/month
KitchenNmbrs (Netherlands)
- Designed for: independent hospitality, 1-5 locations
- Focus on: food cost, recipes, HACCP, affordability
- Strengths: Dutch interface, much more affordable
- Price: from €24.99/month
Regulations and compliance differences
French HACCP tools are specifically designed for French regulations. KitchenNmbrs follows Dutch/EU standards, which in practice are comparable for basic registrations.
⚠️ Note:
No app guarantees complete compliance. You remain responsible for correct registration and compliance with local regulations.
Cost calculation and food cost
All tools calculate food cost, but the approach differs:
- French tools: often calculate with French VAT (10% restaurants, 20% alcohol)
- KitchenNmbrs: calculates with Dutch VAT (9% food, 21% alcohol)
- Formula remains the same: (Ingredient costs / Sales price excl. VAT) × 100
💡 Example food cost calculation:
Coq au vin sold for €22.00:
- French VAT (10%): €22.00 / 1.10 = €20.00 excl.
- Dutch VAT (9%): €22.00 / 1.09 = €20.18 excl.
- Ingredients: €6.50
Food cost: 32.5% (France) vs. 32.2% (Netherlands)
When French tools make more sense
French HACCP tools make more sense if you:
- Run a bistro in France with French suppliers
- Want direct connections with French wholesalers
- Need local support in French
- Have a budget for €80-90/month
When KitchenNmbrs makes more sense
KitchenNmbrs makes more sense if you:
- Are budget-conscious (3x cheaper than French alternatives)
- Prefer a Dutch interface
- Want mainly to get control over food cost without complexity
- Run a smaller bistro (1-2 locations)
💡 Cost example per year:
Small bistro, 2 years of use:
- Koust: €89 × 24 months = €2,136
- Melba: €79 × 24 months = €1,896
- KitchenNmbrs: €24.99 × 24 = €599.76
Savings: €1,296-1,536 over 2 years
Practical considerations
The choice depends on your priorities:
- Budget: KitchenNmbrs is significantly cheaper
- Local integration: French tools have an advantage with French suppliers
- Simplicity: KitchenNmbrs focuses on core features without unnecessary complexity
- Support: French tools offer local support
For most independent bistro owners who mainly want control over food cost and HACCP, KitchenNmbrs offers the best value for money.
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Start free trial →How do you choose between French HACCP tools and KitchenNmbrs?
Determine your budget and priorities
Calculate what you're willing to spend per month. French tools cost €79-89/month, KitchenNmbrs €24.99/month. Decide whether local integration is more important than costs.
Test the interfaces and ease of use
Try demos of both systems. French tools are often more complex, KitchenNmbrs focuses on simplicity. Choose what works best with your way of working.
Compare the core features you need
Make a list of what you really need: food cost calculation, HACCP registration, recipe management. All tools do this, but the approach differs per system.
✨ Pro tip
Always test a free trial first before choosing. The cheapest option only makes sense if it also works for your way of working.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use KitchenNmbrs if I run a bistro in France?
Yes, the core features work everywhere. You just need to set the correct French VAT percentages yourself (10% for food, 20% for alcohol) and ensure you comply with local HACCP requirements.
Are French HACCP tools better for compliance than KitchenNmbrs?
French tools are adapted to French regulations, but the basic HACCP registrations (temperatures, deliveries, cleaning) are comparable. No app guarantees complete compliance - that remains your responsibility.
Why are French HACCP tools so much more expensive?
French tools focus on more extensive features and local integrations with suppliers. KitchenNmbrs focuses on core features and keeps costs low as a result.
Can I switch from a French tool to KitchenNmbrs?
Yes, you can manually transfer your recipes and ingredient list. You'll need to rebuild the HACCP registrations, but that applies to any switch between systems.
Which tool has the best food cost calculation?
All tools use the same formula: (ingredient costs / sales price excl. VAT) × 100. The difference is in ease of use and price, not in the calculation method.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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