📝 Software comparison & alternatives · ⏱️ 2 min read

What is Horeko and which type of food service business is it intended for?

📝 KitchenNmbrs · updated 13 Mar 2026

Horeko is food service software for larger hospitality businesses that need extensive functions for purchasing, inventory and financial management. The system is aimed especially at restaurants with multiple locations, hotels and catering companies that run complex operations. For small independent food service businesses, Horeko is often too extensive and expensive.

What exactly is Horeko?

Horeko is Dutch food service software that focuses on complete management of food service operations. The system combines purchasing, inventory, recipe management and financial reporting in one platform.

💡 Example:

A hotel with restaurant uses Horeko for:

  • Purchasing for all F&B outlets
  • Inventory control kitchen + bar
  • Cost price calculation per dish
  • Reporting to head office

Costs: from €200+ per month

Which food service businesses is Horeko intended for?

Horeko targets food service businesses with complex needs and sufficient revenue to justify the investment.

  • Hotels with F&B: Multiple outlets, banqueting, room service
  • Restaurant chains: 5+ locations with central purchasing
  • Large catering companies: Volume purchasing and complex calculations
  • Corporate restaurants: Large volumes, strict cost control
  • Care facilities: Central kitchens, diet management

Horeko vs KitchenNmbrs: the difference

Horeko

  • Designed for: Hotels, chains, large operations
  • Focus on: Extensive reporting, central purchasing
  • Strengths: Many features, integrations
  • Price: From €200+ per month

KitchenNmbrs

  • Designed for: Independent food service, 1-5 locations
  • Focus on: Simplicity, mobile, quick insights
  • Strengths: Affordable, easy to use
  • Price: From €24.99 per month

When is Horeko the logical choice?

Horeko fits food service businesses that run complex operations and need extensive reporting.

💡 Example:

A hotel chain with 8 locations needs:

  • Central purchasing and contract management
  • Detailed P&L per outlet
  • Integration with accounting system
  • Extensive user permissions

For them, the functionality justifies the higher costs.

When is KitchenNmbrs more logical?

For smaller food service businesses that mainly want control over food cost and daily operations, without complex reporting requirements.

⚠️ Note:

Many small restaurants choose overly heavy software because they think they need all the features. In practice, they never use 80% of the features, but still pay for them.

  • 1-3 locations: No central purchasing needed
  • Independent owner: Wants control themselves, no extensive reporting
  • Budget-conscious: €200+ per month is too much for the revenue
  • Mobile work: Wants to check food cost from phone

Cost comparison

💡 Example:

Cost breakdown for a bistro with 2 locations:

  • Horeko: €250+ per month = €3,000+ per year
  • KitchenNmbrs: €49.98 per month = €600 per year

Difference: €2,400 per year

With annual revenue of €800,000, that's 0.3% of revenue difference - money you could better invest in your kitchen.

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How do you choose between Horeko and KitchenNmbrs?

1

Determine your scale and complexity

Count your locations, revenue and number of users. With 1-3 locations and fewer than 5 users, KitchenNmbrs is often sufficient. With 5+ locations or complex purchasing, Horeko may be more logical.

2

Check your budget and ROI

Calculate what you can spend maximum on software (usually 0.3-0.8% of revenue). Horeko costs €200+ per month, KitchenNmbrs €25-50 per month depending on your setup.

3

Test both systems

Try out both platforms with your own recipes and figures. Pay attention to ease of use, speed of insights and whether you really need all the features. KitchenNmbrs has a free trial without credit card.

✨ Pro tip

Test both systems with your 5 best-selling dishes. The system where you calculate the correct food cost fastest probably fits your way of working best.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Horeko better than KitchenNmbrs?

Not better or worse, but designed for different business sizes. Horeko is more extensive and fits complex operations. KitchenNmbrs is simpler and more affordable for small independent food service businesses.

Can KitchenNmbrs do everything Horeko can?

No, KitchenNmbrs deliberately has fewer features to stay simple and affordable. It focuses on food cost, recipes and HACCP for small businesses, not extensive reporting and central purchasing.

What does Horeko cost exactly?

Horeko works with custom pricing from approximately €200 per month, depending on number of users and modules. For exact pricing you need to request a quote from Horeko directly.

Can I switch from Horeko to KitchenNmbrs?

Yes, but you'll lose extensive reporting features. If you don't use these and want to save costs, switching can make sense. You can transfer your recipes and ingredients manually.

How many locations is KitchenNmbrs suitable for?

KitchenNmbrs works well for 1-5 locations. With more locations or central purchasing, Horeko or another ERP system becomes more logical due to more complex needs.

ℹ️ This article was prepared based on official sources and professional expertise. While we strive for current and accurate information, the content may differ from the most recent regulations. Always consult the official authorities for binding standards.

📚 Sources consulted

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.

JS

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.

🏆 8 years kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group Rotterdam
Expertise: food cost management HACCP kitchen management restaurant operations food safety compliance

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