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Guide to the best LMS Software for restaurants in the UK
As more businesses look to find digital solutions to manage their business operations, the same applies to learning, development and training and a good hospitality Learning Management System (LMS) provides businesses with a consistent, easy to manage and engaging training and development platform for their teams.
10 mins
Written by Rob Paterson
Here at Access, we work closely with hospitality businesses to develop a bespoke learning and development solution to help them engage and develop their team members through our hospitality LMS platform. With such a wide range of tools, features and functions, it can be difficult to work out what exactly makes the best LMS system for you.
Key features of restaurant LMS
Once you start to consider an LMS, a new perspective on delivering staff training opens up. Training can become a fun experience for employees while reporting and analytics give managers more tools than ever to understand how their employees are faring.
Key features to look for in an LMS include:
Onboarding new employees
An LMS can be used to onboard new staff and ensure that they are trained on all the necessary skills and procedures for their job roles. This can include training on food safety, customer service, close-down procedures and menu knowledge. Some LMS platforms integrate with HR software to seamlessly marry up hiring procedures, application tracking and onboarding.
Off-the-shelf content
An LMS can provide resources to employees, such as customer service scripts, frequently asked questions more in-depth information about specialist menu items such as the wine list. Having access to these resources can help employees provide more accurate and helpful information to customers and feel confident in their role.
Consistent training within teams
An LMS can help ensure that all employees receive consistent training on customer service best practices. This can include training on how to greet customers, handle complaints, and provide personalised service. Consistent training can help ensure that customers receive a high level of service, no matter which employee is serving them.
Standardising training across locations
If a restaurant has multiple locations, an LMS can be used to standardise training across all locations. This ensures that all employees receive the same training and customers can be assured that they will receive a consistent experience at any location.
Ongoing training and development
An LMS can provide ongoing training to employees on customer service best practices, helping them to improve their skills and knowledge over time. This can include training on new menu items, new procedures and new technologies. This can help employees stay up to date on the latest trends and techniques for providing excellent service, which can help them provide a better experience to customers, as well as allow employees to progress their careers and potentially move into management roles.
Compliance training
An LMS can be used to ensure that employees are trained on important compliance issues, such as health and safety regulations, licensing legislation and employment laws. This should be part of the standard LMS library.
Performance tracking
An LMS can be used to track employee performance and identify areas where additional training may be needed. This can help managers to identify high-performing employees and those who may need additional support.
The right LMS for you will help your restaurant business to improve the quality of its training and ensure that your employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to provide excellent customer service and perform their jobs effectively.
Key considerations when choosing restaurant LMS software
There are several things you should consider when choosing LMS software for your restaurant or hospitality business. Let’s take a look at the main ones:
1. Cost
When contemplating an LMS for your hospitality business, no doubt one the first considerations will be the price. The cost of a restaurant LMS can vary depending on several factors, such as:
Number of users
The cost of the LMS will typically increase as the number of users increases. Some LMS providers charge per user, while others offer a flat fee for unlimited users.
Features
The more features an LMS has, the higher the cost is likely to be. For example, an LMS with advanced reporting and analytics features or gamification elements may be more of an investment than a basic LMS.
Customisation
The level of customisation required by the restaurant can affect the cost of the LMS. If the restaurant needs a highly customized LMS that is tailored to their specific needs, the cost may be higher than a more off-the-shelf solution.
Integrations
The cost of integrating the LMS with other systems, such as a POS system or scheduling software, can also affect the overall cost of the LMS.
Support
The level of customer support required by the restaurant can affect the cost of the LMS. If the restaurant requires 24/7 support or a dedicated account manager, the cost may be higher than a more basic support package.
Overall, the cost of a restaurant LMS will depend on several factors that are specific to the restaurant's needs and requirements. It's important to consider your budget and select an LMS that offers the features and level of support you require at a price you can afford.
2. Features
Content library
Every hospitality focused LMS should provide a library of off-the-shelf content which your teams can refer to as needed. Important training topics such as health and safety regulations should be updated regularly to reflect the latest guidelines and make sure your business is compliant.
Customisable content
While some content is universal, every business is different and so staff training should reflect your individual way of doing things. Your LMS should allow for the creation of custom content that is specific to your business needs, such as training modules on menu items, special offers, customer service and safety procedures. A fine dining restaurant may want to deepen content on wine and ingredient sourcing, while a barista might be looking to learn more about coffee.
Mobile optimisation
The LMS should be optimised for mobile devices, so that employees can access training modules and resources from anywhere, at any time. The CPL Learning LMS app can be downloaded on any device and used on the go by staff members which is essential in hospitality where the majority of staff work in back of house and front of house roles with limited access to a desktop.
Gamification
Gamification features, such as competitive leader boards and digital “badges”, can help motivate employees to complete training modules, improve their performance and make the content stick. The Access LMS for hospitality offers fun badges that mark the users progress through learning content and mark specific milestones in their journey.
Social learning
Social learning can be a component of an LMS by allowing your staff to interact with one another as they learn. This can be as simple as allowing comments on webinars so that staff can help each other with insights and tips. Social learning is also useful in encouraging staff to complete learning modules within timeframe as they can see that their peers have already completed modules and have moved on to the next section.
Integration with existing systems
It is important for any LMS you choose to be able to integrate with your existing systems, such as the restaurant's EPoS system, inventory management system and scheduling software (for more on integration see below).
Multilingual support
The LMS should support multiple languages, so that employees who speak different languages can access training materials in their native language.
Reporting and analytics
The LMS should provide reporting and analytics features that allow managers to track employee progress and identify areas where additional training may be needed.
Compliance tracking
The LMS should be able to track employee compliance with regulatory requirements, such as food safety regulations, licensing legislation and employment laws.
Automated reminders
The LMS should be able to send automated reminders to employees when training modules are due or when they need to renew any certificates.
3. Integrations
An LMS is part of your restaurant’s technical ecosystem and as such, it is crucial that it can ‘talk’ to the other elements of your business to help streamline operations and improve efficiency. Here are some integrations you may need to consider:
Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS)
Integration with the EPoS system means that your staff can access the LMS directly from the terminal ensuring that training materials and guides are readily accessible. The POS system can also keep track of things like how fast orders are taken and highlight areas of service where additional training could help.
Time and Attendance Integration
Integrating your LMS with your time and attendance system allows managers to track staff attendance and ensure they are completing the necessary training during their shifts.
HR Integration
Integration into your HR system helps managers track employee performance, manage staff schedules and ensure all team members hold the relevant training needed for their role. It also means you can track development over time and assign specific training or development pathways, such as onboarding for new employees.
Third-Party Integrations
As well as integrating with the other tech solutions within your operation, integrating with third-party applications and providers can also be very important and support the LMS by providing additional training content, improving internal communications and delivering more engagement.
Some common integrations to consider are compatibility with third-party e-learning courses and communication tools that help managers and staff communicate in non-desk-based roles.
What is the best LMS software for your restaurant?
The best LMS software for your restaurant or hospitality business will depend on your specific needs and requirements.
Businesses have many different needs when they come to us to build an LMS platform. Here are some of the reasons that our customers want an LMS platform and the features that can help them.
Reasons for an LMS platform |
Helpful features to look out for: |
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| Standardisation | Many businesses as they grow wish to ensure a certain level of training and service across their business regardless of location or role. |
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| Compliance management | The hospitality industry is heavily regulated in terms of health and safety legislation so many businesses seek to build a platform to help them distribute and monitor compliance training across their business. |
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| Cost management | An LMS platform can greatly optimise the way training is delivered included reducing costs in travel and accommodation for in-person training. Businesses looking to optimise their training processes and reduce business costs may consider a system with additional functionality that can help reduce other business costs. |
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| Skills development | A well-designed training programme can help your employees perform their jobs more efficiently and deliver better service to your customers. |
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| Employee retention | Providing training and development opportunities can increase employee satisfaction and engagement, leading to higher employee retention and a reduction in turnover and recruitment costs. |
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| Better tracking and reporting | An LMS platform enables businesses to track employee progress and completion of training courses, generating reports to evaluate effectiveness of training, measure employee sentiment and identify areas for improvement. |
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| On-demand training | An LMS platform enables businesses to deliver training to non-desk-based roles easily through mobile devices that are accessible anywhere. |
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Hospitality LMS platform providers
Explore some of the leading providers of hospitality LMS platforms in the UK
Note: These pros and cons are not exhaustive and are meant to provide a general overview of each provider's strengths and weaknesses. It's important to carefully evaluate each provider's features, pricing, and reputation before making a decision.
CPL Learning
CPL Learning is a specialised LMS platform designed specifically for the hospitality industry. It provides comprehensive training and learning courses on topics such as food safety, health and safety, customer service, wellbeing, and product training.
Pros:
- Industry-specific courses created with hospitality experts and accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, CPD and endorsed by BII.
- Discover channel delivers self-directed learning opportunities to empower employees to learn at their own pace.
- Easy-to-use modules streamline your operations and make managing employee training a breeze.
- Branded design means your team will stay engaged with your brand identity.
Cons:
- Cost can be high compared to more basic systems due to extensive functionality.
- Career pathways and development tools are more suited to larger businesses, which may be cost-prohibitive for smaller companies.
The specialised content and customisable design of the CPL Learning LMS will ensure your team is engaged in and completing their training as needed. If you have a flexible budget, CPL Learning could be the perfect could be the perfect solution for your business to promote career development initiatives. For smaller businesses, training courses, online tools and modules can support you in developing your first LMS platform.
Learning Pool
Learning Pool is a reputable LMS provider that offers a seven-day free trial so businesses can evaluate the platform before committing to a purchase, while the separate Learning Experience Platform (LxP) provides an advanced learning experience for organisations looking to elevate their employee training.
Pros:
- Specialised content for the hospitality industry as well as generalised content beyond hospitality.
- Wide range of integration options.
Cons:
- Additional functionality can drive up cost making it better suited to larger businesses.
- Multiple platforms can lead to complexity in understanding the proposition for customers.
While Learning Pool may be a more expensive option due to its advanced features, it offers a customisable and scalable solution that may be particularly beneficial for larger businesses with more significant training needs.
Flow Hospitality Training
Flow Hospitality Training is part of the MAPAL OS system and offers an LMS platform that integrates with a suite of back-office solutions.
Pros:
- Modern and engaging industry-specific courses on food safety, health and safety, and hospitality.
- Career development module that tracks learner journey is available as standard.
- Wide range of features for managing employee training and performance.
Cons:
- Cost can be high compared to more basic systems due to extensive functionality.
- The more basic LMS functionality is not as advanced as other options.
Flow is a solid option for businesses of all sizes looking to enhance their employee training programs.
Harri
Harri is an all-in-one workforce management solution designed specifically for the hospitality industry.
The platform offers a basic LMS capability that allows businesses to track the employee journey from onboarding onwards, making it easy to manage employee performance.
Pros:
- Leading Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
- Also offers a range of features for managing recruitment, time and attendance.
- Specialised content for the hospitality industry through partnerships with Upskill in the UK and other partners in the US.
Cons:
- Content style is sometimes considered outdated.
If you're looking for an LMS system that can also help with recruitment and workforce management, Harri could be a great choice for your hospitality business.
Ready to get learning?
When it comes to choosing the best LMS software for your hospitality business, there are a number of important factors to consider. It's essential to find a system that covers the employee lifecycle and offers comprehensive training, compliance with safety regulations, and the ability to identify and develop top performers. Additionally, you should take into account factors such as ease of use, customisability, and cost when selecting an LMS provider.
There are a number of top LMS providers in the UK that are worth considering, each with their own unique strengths and features. Some of the leading options include CPL Learning, Flow Hospitality Training, and Harri. Ultimately, the best LMS software for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget.
If you're interested in learning more about how a hospitality LMS system can benefit your business, we encourage you to speak with one of our representatives and schedule a demo. Alternatively, watch our short demo video.
Ensure that your team is well-trained, compliant, and ready to deliver exceptional service to your customers.
Related resources
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