78% of restaurants pay for software features they never actually use. Horeko offers comprehensive hospitality management with many modules, but smaller establishments often need just food cost control and recipe management. There are focused alternatives that deliver what you need without the complexity.
What exactly is Horeko?
Horeko serves as complete hospitality software for restaurants, cafés and hotels. The platform includes modules for POS systems, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, recipe management and financial reporting. It's designed for larger hospitality businesses wanting to integrate all their operational processes.
💡 Example:
A restaurant with 25 employees uses Horeko for:
- POS system and orders
- Creating schedules for all employees
- Automatic inventory tracking
- Complete accounting and reporting
Cost: €200+ per month for all modules
When is Horeko too extensive?
Many smaller restaurants don't need every Horeko feature. If you're running with 1-5 employees and primarily want food cost control, you're essentially paying for unused functionality.
⚠️ Note:
Horeko typically requires implementation costs and staff training. For small restaurants this often adds up to €2000+ in startup expenses.
Food cost calculators as a Horeko alternative
Specialized food cost software focuses specifically on recipe costing, margin calculation and HACCP compliance for smaller hospitality businesses. These tools are simpler to implement and more budget-friendly.
I've seen this mistake cost the average restaurant EUR 200-400 per month - choosing comprehensive software when you only need focused functionality. The unused features become expensive overhead.
💡 Comparison:
Horeko (complete package):
- POS system, staff scheduling, inventory
- Implementation and training required
- €200+ per month
- Suitable for: 10+ employees
Food cost tools (focused approach):
- Recipes, food costs, HACCP
- Ready to use immediately, no training
- €24.99 per month
- Suitable for: 1-5 employees
Other Horeko alternatives
Beyond specialized food cost software, there are additional alternatives depending on your specific needs:
- Excel/Google Sheets: Free but requires lots of manual work and lacks automatic calculations
- Apicbase: Designed for larger restaurants with multiple locations (€300+ per month)
- Market apps: Often provide only POS functionality without food cost calculation
- Local hospitality software: Sometimes cheaper but fewer updates and limited support
When focused food cost tools make more sense than Horeko
Specialized software works better if you:
- Manage a small team (1-5 people) without complex scheduling needs
- Primarily want control over food costs and profit margins
- Don't require POS system integration
- Want quick implementation without lengthy setup processes
- Are budget-conscious (€25 vs €200+ per month)
💡 Example:
A bistro with 3 employees:
- They create schedules manually (5 min per week)
- They already have a POS system (separate system)
- They calculate food costs in Excel (2 hours per week)
With focused software: food costs automated, €25/month. With Horeko: everything integrated, €200+/month.
When Horeko still makes more sense
Horeko remains the better choice if you:
- Employ 10+ staff members with complex scheduling requirements
- Want everything unified in one system (POS, staff, inventory)
- Operate multiple locations requiring central management
- Have budget allocated for implementation and training
- Need extensive reporting and analytics capabilities
Both approaches serve different needs. Your choice depends on your situation: simplicity with food cost focus, or comprehensive system integration.
Compare yourself?
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Start free trial →How do you choose between Horeko and KitchenNmbrs?
Analyze your current situation
Count your employees and check which processes you currently do manually. Write down how much time you spend on scheduling, food costs and administration.
Determine your priorities
What costs you the most time right now: creating schedules, calculating food costs, or managing inventory? Focus on the biggest pain point first.
Compare costs realistically
Add implementation and training costs to Horeko as well. With KitchenNmbrs you can start immediately with a free 3-day trial period.
✨ Pro tip
Compare both approaches using your actual menu within 7 days. Most comprehensive systems offer demos, while specialized tools provide 3-day free trials.
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Frequently asked questions
Can specialized food cost software later connect with my POS system?
Most focused food cost tools don't offer direct POS integration. You'll need to manually enter sales data to analyze your margins.
Is Horeko always more expensive than focused alternatives?
Yes, Horeko starts around €200 per month plus implementation costs. Specialized food cost software typically costs €24.99 per month with no startup fees.
Can I switch from Horeko to a simpler food cost tool?
You can manually transfer your recipes and ingredients list. Most specialized tools don't have automatic import from other systems.
Which approach is better for food cost calculation accuracy?
Both can calculate food costs accurately. Specialized tools are designed specifically for this purpose and therefore simpler to use for costing.
Do I need long-term contracts with focused food cost software?
Most specialized tools work on monthly cancellation basis. You can stop whenever needed without penalties or lengthy notice periods.
How quickly can I implement a focused food cost solution compared to Horeko?
Specialized food cost tools typically take 1-2 days to set up with your recipes. Horeko implementation usually requires 2-4 weeks including staff training.
📚 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.
Compare for yourself — KitchenNmbrs vs. the rest
There are multiple food cost tools on the market. KitchenNmbrs stands out through simplicity, speed, and a complete HACCP package included. Test it free for 14 days and judge for yourself.
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