MarketMan and KitchenNmbrs serve completely different segments of the food service industry. MarketMan targets larger operations with complex inventory needs, while KitchenNmbrs caters to independent operators running 1-5 locations. Your decision depends on your operation size and feature requirements.
MarketMan: comprehensive but complex
MarketMan is an extensive tool that originally comes from the US and targets restaurants with more complex needs:
- Inventory management: Real-time stock tracking and automatic reordering
- Supplier integration: Direct connections with suppliers for ordering
- Extensive reporting: In-depth analysis of costs and trends
- Multi-location support: Centralized management for multiple locations
💡 MarketMan setup example:
Restaurant with 3 locations and 200+ ingredients:
- Monthly costs: €150-300
- Setup time: 2-4 weeks
- Staff training: 8-12 hours
Suitable for: restaurants with €1M+ revenue
KitchenNmbrs: simple and direct
the platform keeps it simple and focuses on the essentials: food cost calculation and HACCP for smaller businesses:
- Recipes and food cost: Direct food cost calculation per dish
- HACCP registration: Record temperatures and food safety
- Mobile-first: Everything via your phone, even in the kitchen
- Dutch focus: VAT, allergens, and local regulations built in
💡 the platform setup example:
Bistro with 1 location and 50 dishes:
- Monthly costs: €24.99
- Setup time: 1-2 days
- Training: 30 minutes
Suitable for: independent food service up to €500k revenue
Cost comparison
The price difference is significant and impacts your monthly expenses:
- MarketMan: From $199/month (€180+) for basic features
- the platform: €24.99/month for full functionality
- Difference per year: €1,860 extra for MarketMan
⚠️ Note:
MarketMan often has setup costs and training fees on top of the monthly subscription. For small businesses, this can quickly add up to €3,000+ per year.
MarketMan works better for complex operations
After managing kitchen operations for nearly a decade, I've seen MarketMan excel in specific scenarios. You'll benefit from MarketMan if you:
- Have multiple locations (5+) that need centralized management
- Have complex inventory flows with many suppliers
- Have a dedicated manager for administration
- Have budget for extensive software (€2,000+ per year)
The alternative suits independent operators
The other platform fits better if you:
- Run 1-3 businesses of your own without central administration
- Mainly want control over food cost and HACCP
- Work in the kitchen yourself and want to work mobile
- Are budget-conscious and don't want to pay for unnecessary features
💡 Real-world example:
Owner of 2 restaurants compares both systems:
- MarketMan: €300/month, 3 weeks setup, many features he doesn't use
- the platform: €49.98/month (2 locations), 2 days setup, focus on what he needs
Choice: the platform - saves €3,000/year
Functionality comparison
Both systems help with food cost calculation, but the approach differs:
- Recipes: Both can calculate recipes and food cost
- Inventory: MarketMan has real-time tracking, the platform keeps it simple
- Reporting: MarketMan very extensive, the platform focuses on core data
- Mobile use: the platform mobile-first, MarketMan more desktop-oriented
For the Dutch market
the platform has an advantage for Dutch food service:
- Dutch VAT rates (9% and 21%) built in
- EU allergen registration according to Dutch regulations
- HACCP templates adapted to NVWA requirements
- Local support in Dutch
Compare yourself?
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Start free trial →How do you choose between MarketMan and KitchenNmbrs?
Determine your scale and complexity
Count your locations and review your inventory flows. More than 3 locations with centralized management? Then MarketMan makes more sense. 1-3 businesses of your own where you work in the kitchen yourself? Then KitchenNmbrs fits better.
Calculate total costs per year
Add up subscription, setup costs, and training costs. MarketMan often costs €2,000-4,000 per year, KitchenNmbrs €300-600. How much can you invest in software?
Test both systems
Try out both platforms with your own recipes and ingredients. Which feels more natural? KitchenNmbrs has a free trial, MarketMan often offers a demo. Test with real data from your kitchen.
✨ Pro tip
Test both platforms using your 12 most popular dishes over a 21-day period. You'll discover that MarketMan's €250+ monthly cost rarely delivers enough extra value to justify the expense for restaurants generating under €600k annually.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from KitchenNmbrs to MarketMan later?
Yes, you can export your recipes and food costs from KitchenNmbrs. Many entrepreneurs start small with KitchenNmbrs and switch over as they grow to 5+ locations.
Does MarketMan have better food cost calculation than KitchenNmbrs?
Both calculate food cost correctly using the same formulas. MarketMan has more advanced reporting, but for basic food cost calculation they're equivalent.
Which software integrates better with my POS system?
MarketMan has more POS integrations, especially with American systems. KitchenNmbrs focuses on Dutch food service but doesn't have direct POS integrations yet.
Is MarketMan worth it for a restaurant with €300k revenue?
Probably not. At that revenue level, you're paying 0.6-1.2% of your revenue for software. KitchenNmbrs costs 0.1-0.2% of your revenue and provides the same basic insights.
📚 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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