In the restaurant industry, equipping your staff with the right skills is crucial for delivering top-notch service and ensuring food safety.
This article will dive into the top 10 learning management systems (LMSs) tailor-made for restaurants in 2024.
We’ve also included firsthand reviews from users’ experience with each tool to give insight into how these systems perform in real-world settings.
Disclaimer: The information below is accurate as of March 23rd, 2024. Please note that the solutions(competitors’/softwares’ features) we review may change over time. If you have updates or new features to share, let us know. This helps us keep our content accurate and up-to-date.
What is an LMS for restaurants?
An LMS for restaurants is an online training software tool that’s specifically designed for the unique needs of the restaurant industry.
It enables restaurant owners and managers to train and onboard new staff — ensuring they’re well-versed in food safety training, customer service, and operational procedures — without disrupting daily operations.
With an LMS, restaurants can create custom training programs or use pre-built modules to immerse their new hires in the hospitality world.
Additionally, an LMS provides a flexible solution for educating staff (and so elevating the dining experience for guests) by teaching menu items, for example, or reinforcing the importance of hygiene standards.
As one Reddit user says, “If you want to track learner progress, review completion data, manage course registration, deliver courses online, and provide reporting, yes, an LMS would be important.“
10 Best LMSs for restaurants
Here’s a rundown of the best LMS platforms for restaurants with unique features that cater to the needs of restaurant HR and L&D managers:
| Software | Best for | Top feature |
| Docebo | Scalable and personalized L&D for employees, customers and partners | AI-powered personalized learning experiences at scale |
| TalentLMS | Automated workflows | Automations for course assignment, scheduling, and user management |
| Absorb LMS | Assigning and scheduling role-based and compliance training | Automation rules engine for training assignments |
| Trakstar Learn | Upskilling and reskilling across diverse workforces | Assessment management and automated training reminders |
| Litmos | Wide range of SME-tested courses | Extensive catalog of video-based training courses tailored for the hospitality industry |
| Continu | In-person and online training for guest relations, service, and hygiene | Blended learning experiences tailored for hospitality services |
| Wisetail LMS | Customizable learning paths | Configurable learning paths and content builder |
| iSpring Learn | Learner engagement with timely notifications | Push notifications and email alerts |
| Trainn | Localized training content | Text-to-speech converter for voice-overs and subtitles |
| SkyPrep | Personalizing training experience for staff | White-label options for certificates, domain names, and branding |
Now, let’s cover each tool in detail.
1. Docebo
Docebo is a cloud-based LMS for employee onboarding, compliance, skill advancement, and hospitality training.
Its features allow restaurants to empower their employees to share knowledge, ask questions, and provide feedback among themselves.
Restaurants can use the platform to promote inclusivity and deliver training to all staff regardless of their location, as it supports over 40 languages.
Docebo’s Certification & Retraining app allows for creating and managing certification programs so restaurants can ensure all staff are up-to-date with necessary qualifications.
The platform enables the creation of customized learning paths to ensure that each employee’s training is relevant to their role, from kitchen staff to front-of-house.
Additionally, its microlearning features are designed to fit the bustling schedule of restaurant employees, offering bite-sized, on-the-go training that fosters a culture of continuous learning.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- AI-powered upskilling that matches learning content with employee interests, skills, and career goals and hyper-personalizes the learning experience.
- Discover, Coach & Share feature for collaborative learning.
- Multilingual support for 40+ languages.
- Certification & retraining app for compliance with food safety and health regulations.
- Personalized learning paths capabilities.
- Microlearning and social learning features are designed to fit the schedule of restaurant employees, offering bite-sized, on-the-go training that fosters engagement and continuous learning.
What users like
- “Docebo makes learning fun with badges and leaderboards — because who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? The CSM and onboarding team have been most helpful.” – Sepehr M.
- “Docebo Administration is simple and self-explanatory. Was very easy to complete the configuration and setup of training materials.” – Zach B.
- “I appreciate Docebo’s robust reporting capabilities, which significantly enhance the overall functionality and effectiveness of the platform.” – Verified user in leisure, travel & tourism.
Best suited for
Docebo is well-suited to helping sales reps create and share knowledge and best practices through its AI-powered learning platform.
2. TalentLMS
TalentLMS is an online learning platform for employee, compliance, and partner training.
The platform’s updatable courses allow restaurants to ensure their staff can stay informed about the latest menu changes, safety regulations, and service standards.
With TalentLMS, restaurants can automate the tedious parts of training management, such as course assignments and expiry reminders.
Additionally, the platform’s assessment and quiz features enable the creation of comprehensive tests to ensure staff understand critical safety and hygiene practices.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Mobile-friendly for on-the-go learning.
- Updatable courses for continuous learning.
- Automation for course assignments and expiry reminders.
- Assessment and quiz capabilities.
- A content library of pre-made courses on both hard and soft skills.
What users like
- “When rolling out new materials, it is easy to ensure all staff have accessed the materials. My favorite part is we can make specific parts [a] priority.” – Candace W.
- “Their suite was super easy to use which has helped us in training such a remote and spread out team!” – Daniel B.
- “The features available and the flexibility of the system allow us to tailor the training system to our needs.” – Amelia K.
What users don’t like
- “Sometimes when I send bulk mail notifications of assigned courses or created accounts, not all of the users receive the notification mail.” – Priyesh W.
- “On occasion, I’ve had difficulty locating the right tool for what I’m trying to accomplish, or I’ll drill into a report looking for test responses and accidentally find myself back on the page to edit a user account.” – Jess H.
- “The API is limited – not all the key functions we need can be accessed through it, which means we have to do quite a number of tasks manually that we would prefer to automate.” – Katie B.
Best suited for
Its content library of pre-made courses makes it best suited for reducing the time spent on creating courses from scratch.
3. Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS is an LMS for employee onboarding and skill development, sales training, and partner training.
The platform’s integration with HR Information Systems (HRIS) and Point-of-Sale (POS) systems allows restaurants to ensure smooth work operations and access to staff training resources.
Restaurants can upload their existing training materials to the platform and manage their e-learning content.
Additionally, restaurants can use its automation rules engines to assign and schedule training based on specific roles and compliance standards.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Integrates with HRIS and POS systems.
- Content upload and management features.
- Automation rules engines for assigning and scheduling training based on specific roles and compliance standards.
- Mobile learning support for learning on the go.
What users like
- “Feedback from our learners [has] been very positive, and they have commented on the simplicity in operation and consistency across platforms (phone, tablet, web, etc.).” – R. L.
- “One of the things I like most about Absorb LMS is that many Admin pages are laid out in a table format with robust filters, sorting, and column customization.” – Erin C.
- “I love the extremely detailed and very thorough settings and options available within the LMS. When structuring content to a complex and diverse learner base, these options make targeting and organizing content for each department or group extremely helpful. ” – Steve F.
What users don’t like
- “The course content page needs more intuitiveness, and users get frustrated when moving to the next learning object.” – Shailesh G.
- “There are a couple of buttons and UI items that could be improved upon to allow users to interact with the content easier. The main one is regarding the need to click on the next lesson when videos are complete.” – Verified user in manufacturing.
- “While it’s easy to use, it is a bit rigid regarding front-end options. The ways content can be displayed are pretty limited and often not optimal.” – Verified user in computer software.
Best suited for
The platform’s ability to integrate with essential business systems like POS makes it well-suited for ensuring smooth work operations.
4. Trakstar Learn
Trakstar Learn is cloud-based learning management software designed for employee, partner, and customer training.
It has a drag-and-drop course creator feature that allows for incorporating various content types, such as videos, PowerPoints, and SCORM files.
Restaurants can use its automated email notifications to keep trainees informed about upcoming compliance deadlines and training responsibilities.
Additionally, restaurants can engage learners with quizzes, surveys, and gamification features like leaderboards and badges to improve knowledge retention.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Drag-and-drop course creator for incorporating various content types such as videos, PowerPoints, and SCORM files.
- Automated email notifications.
- Offers a mobile app for iOS and Android.
- Gamification elements include quizzes, surveys, leaderboards, and badges.
- Real-time dashboards and reporting capabilities.
What users like
- “I am able to easily track and see which trainees are signed up for what courses and their progress on each. I also like being able to navigate which modules and courses are connected to each other.” – Matt S.
- “Training courses are easy to set up and function smoothly. There are good options for designing courses to suit my needs.” – Kari O.
- “I love that it is easy to use and easy to upload e-learning courses. There is no fluff or any other extra ‘flashy components’ that make it difficult or complicated.” – Selki K.
What users don’t like
- “Wish there was an easier way of tracking annual courses.” – Amy J.
- “The automatic reminders are not always sent to remind employees of their training deadlines.” – Erika G.
- “I do not like that the users have to update their passwords and the administrator can not do anything to help the user if there is a problem.” – Tonya J.
Best suited for
Its real-time reporting capabilities make it best suited for continuous assessment of training programs.
5. Litmos
Litmos is a learning platform designed for employee, customer, compliance, and sales training.
Using its video-based content capabilities, restaurants can use Litmos to teach and demonstrate best practices better than traditional text-based materials.
The tool also features an off-the-shelf content library on hospitality-specific courses covering customer service, communication skills, and food hygiene for restaurant workers.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Video-based learning capabilities.
- Built-in tracking and analytics features.
- Gamification and leaderboard elements like badges, points, and achievements.
- Off-the-shelf content library of hospitality-specific courses.
- Mobile learning for on-the-go training.
What users like
- “The built-in content [authoring] tool is a value add, as we can make a variety of training content without having to purchase/integrate more software.” – Kristi K.
- “I use Litmos all day every day in my job, and it is so easy to use and navigate.” – Charlotte K.
- “What I like most about Litmos is that it allows you to streamline course administration and creates an environment for continued education.” – Brandi C.
What users don’t like
- “We are frustrated that we are not able to assign multiple due dates to Litmos-created courses. This has impacted our monthly new hire assignments.” – Verified user in financial services.
- “I find it difficult to learn all of the functions that Litmos has to offer. Just watching a video in the Dojo is not always enough, and I often find myself spending too much time on my own playing with ILT, Teams, Assessments, or Rules to figure out how to make something work.” – Verified user in consumer goods.
- “There have been a few content issues where courses didn’t load. New content is hard to find if you don’t know the exact title.” – Jonathan D.
Best suited for
Litmos’s built-in analytics make it well-suited for monitoring onboarding and assessing the impact of training on service quality.
6. Continu
Continu is a cloud-based LMS for employee, customer, partner, sales, and compliance training.
It has microlearning tracks that restaurants can use to ensure knowledge retention of their training materials.
Restaurant managers can use its real-time reporting and analytics to make data-driven decisions about their training programs.
Additionally, the platform helps restaurants to automate their workflows for new user onboarding, workshop registrations, and more.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Microlearning tracks for improving retention rates.
- Real-time reporting and analytics dashboard.
- Virtual classrooms feature.
- Automated onboarding and reminders.
- Mobile learning for continuous and flexible learning.
- Automated workflows: The platform simplifies administrative tasks with automated workflows for new user onboarding, workshop registrations, and more, streamlining the training process.
What users like
- “The navigation has been easy to follow. Very user-friendly, and also clear transitions from one section to another.” – Natalia Y.
- “I liked that it provided each section to be only about the particular topic and that you can go back and forth between the pages to make sure that you were reading and reviewing each thing.” – Kasey L.
- “Certificates are adequate and can be downloaded. It also offers excellent integration with other apps, such as Slack.” – Yatsil H.
What users don’t like
- “I dislike that there is no way to favorite a specific article within Continu in order to save it. With Continu, we have to favorite the link in our browser.” – Zachary T.
- “Sometimes searching for my course is difficult, and it does not always take me back to where I left off.” – Delaney G.
- “Sometimes it cannot [load] images, and the loading speed is too slow for video.” – Fawn F.
Best suited for
Continu’s automated reminders feature makes it best suited for ensuring timely training completion.
7. Wisetail LMS
Wisetail LMS is a learning platform designed for employee onboarding and development, customer training, and sales enablement.
It has configurable learning paths that restaurants can use to tailor employee learning journeys from entry-level to leadership positions.
The platform includes a drag-and-drop content builder that allows restaurants to create various content types to suit diverse learning preferences.
Additionally, Wisetail’s multilingual support helps restaurants make training accessible to staff members in their preferred language.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Configurable learning paths.
- Content builder with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Multi-language content management capabilities.
- Social learning features include dialog boards, group discussions, and social interactions.
- Mobile-optimized learning.
What users like
- “The user interface is intuitive for both the user and the administrator. Being able to add or update material is a breeze and supports any format I’ve thrown at it.” – Greg H.
- “The social nature of the platform allows us to incorporate social learning opportunities with formal or compliance-based learning requirements. This makes it ideal, especially for the younger generation of workers and learners on our front line.” – Camille C.
- “The Wisetail learning platform is engaging yet very simple for end users and administrators to use.” – Kelly S.
What users don’t like
- “The reporting functionality is truly abysmal. Especially for test reporting, the reporting that lives within the LMS is nearly unusable. “ – Josh G.
- “I wish there were a bit more design and other flexibility. A few things have workarounds that aren’t very clear or easy to use.” – Amy V.
- “The reporting capabilities for local admins are limited. Many reports have to be generated by our internal team which can cause delays and large amounts of backend work.” – Verified user in e-learning.
Best suited for
Wisetail’s social learning features make it best suited for enhancing learner motivation.
8. iSpring Learn
iSpring Learn is a cloud-based LMS designed for onboarding, compliance training, and channel partner training.
Restaurants can use its automated training management capabilities to auto-enroll new hires, send reminders, and track training progress.
iSpring Learn also allows restaurants to create role-specific training paths to ensure every employee receives relevant and targeted learning content.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Automated training management features.
- Role-specific training paths.
- Mobile and offline learning capabilities.
- Blended learning options.
- Assessment and quiz functions.
What users like
- “My favorite feature is the easy and fast creation of lesson pages right from the online portal for both macro- and microlearning. The drag and drop functionality paired with the sleek and visually appealing UI is wonderful.” – Derek M.
- “I use it every day as an administrator. The number of options available to execute training are incredible and have given me many thoughts and ideas on where to steer our Learning Program.” – Ben M.
- “I like the Admin portal for managing the company through Departments and Groups. We have an easy setup for self-enrollment which works well.” – Verified user in manufacturing.
What users don’t like
- “I can’t message my groups. It would be incredibly helpful if I could message each of my teams and specific groups.” – Katie P.
- “The page is a bit clunky, and navigation can be a bit of a learning curve. If I had to change one thing about the product, it would be the ability to customize the administration portal and set favorites.” – Dan G.
- “I wish there was a different way staff are re-enrolled into repeating courses and that it was reflected better in their training history.” – Ivan B.
Best suited for
iSpring Learn’s assessment and quiz function makes it best suited for evaluating employee knowledge and skills.
9. Trainn
Trainn is an LMS designed for customer onboarding, partner training, and sales enablement training.
It has personalized learning paths that allow restaurants to create customized learning journeys based on job roles, responsibilities, and geographic locations.
It also incorporates interactive quizzes, tests, and discussions to assess learner understanding and engagement.
Restaurants can use Trainn to automatically award certificates upon course completion to encourage continuous learning and professional development among employees.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Multi-language training materials in over 20 languages.
- Personalized learning paths based on job roles, responsibilities, and geographic locations.
- White-label options to personalize the learning environment to reflect the restaurant’s branding.
- Assessment and evaluation elements.
- Automated certifications.
What users like
- “We are able to set up customer onboarding, partner training, and [a] video help center, which are great!” – Pradeep K.
- “With Trainn, I can do any number of rewrites to the voiceover script, choose the voiceover gender, style, and accent, and instantly render the voiceover for my videos.” – Navaneeth S.
- “We needed a tool to easily create training and support videos in multiple languages despite our English-only support staff. Trainn’s unique functionality for screen capture + video + closed captions + natural sounding text-to-speech was the perfect combination for our needs.” – Henry C.
What users don’t like
- “[There are] limited customization options for the user interface and [it needs] more integrations with external tools.” – Sathya N.
- “Needs improvement in report generation as it is time-consuming and sometimes confusing.” – Mahesh R.
- “The tempo of the voiceover doesn’t always match the speed of the recording, making it a little challenging to create a perfect synergy in the videos.” – Verified user in computer software.
Best suited for
Trainn’s ability to personalize learning paths makes it well-suited for ensuring that every employee receives relevant training based on their role and career aspirations.
10. SkyPrep
SkyPrep is an LMS platform designed for employee, customer, and compliance training.
Restaurants can use SkyPrep’s blended learning capabilities to integrate online learning with in-person shadowing techniques to provide a comprehensive training experience.
The platform allows restaurant managers instant access to summaries of course activity, progress, and overall performance to ensure that training goals are met.
Additionally, restaurants can upload and access their existing training materials as SkyPrep supports a wide range of file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and videos.
G2 Rating
Top Features
- Blended learning capabilities.
- Real-time user tracking functionalities.
- Supports a wide range of file types for course creation
- White-label options for personalizing the training platform.
- Customizable reports with specific metrics.
What users like
- “I’d have to say my favorites are the course creations and customization SkyPrep offers. It is easy to manage and oversee users.” – Bria G.
- “What I like best about SkyPrep are the user-friendly interface and robust reporting features. The platform allows for many different combinations of reporting through the advanced reporting feature.” – Verified user in financials.
- “I like the active user cost structure and the ease with which you can create new courses. Assignment is easy, and it even offers several bulk user management tools that make our workflow much simpler.” – Adam Y.
What users don’t like
- “It’s difficult for a user to locate the certificate for their Learning Path.” – Robyn O.
- “It would be helpful if managers were able to remove users, [but] this requires the manager to contact the admin to disable or remove a user.” – Rhonan B.
- “The ILT function of the system does need some work, more specifically with the Microsoft Teams integration.” – Jennifer L.
Best suited for
SkyPrep’s blended approach to employee training makes it best suited for in-person shadowing techniques.
Benefits of using a restaurant LMS
Here’s how using a restaurant LMS can significantly impact your restaurant operations:
Better employee training and onboarding
The transition from traditional classroom settings to digital learning platforms increases information retention rates among restaurant employees.
According to research, online learning increases retention rates of students by between 25 percent and 60 percent.
This improvement matters in the restaurant industry, where employee performance directly influences customer satisfaction.
Training consistency
A centralized LMS guarantees that all employees receive the same high-quality training regardless of location.
This standardization is vital for maintaining service quality across different branches of a restaurant chain.
It also eliminates decentralized training methods’ variability and potential errors, ensuring every employee upholds the restaurant’s standards.
For example, Front Burner, a restaurant management company, implemented Docebo to create a “learning hub” where employees could regularly engage with training materials.
This led to increased training completion rates (from 35 percent to 87 percent) and greater customer satisfaction.
Reduced talent turnover
High employee turnover is a persistent challenge in the hospitality sector. An LMS can address this issue by offering ongoing training and development opportunities, making employees feel valued and part of the restaurant’s future.
In fact, a LinkedIn report shows that 94 percent of employees will stay at a company longer if it invests in their career.
Lower training costs
The flexibility of online restaurant training eliminates the need for physical manuals, venue rentals, and instructor fees.
This allows restaurants to reallocate these savings toward other business areas, enhancing their overall operation and customer experience.
How to choose the best LMS for restaurants
You’ll need to consider some key factors to ensure your restaurant LMS meets the unique needs of the fast-paced restaurant environment.
Here’s what you want to look for:
Mobile accessibility
Given the busy nature of restaurant staff who are constantly moving, a mobile-responsive LMS is non-negotiable in such an environment.
Even If your team members are slicing tomatoes in the kitchen, they can tap into training conveniently on their smartphones.
Compliance management
The restaurant industry is subject to strict compliance with food safety regulations and health standards.
So, an LMS that simplifies compliance — think automated training assignments for new food-handling regulations or instant updates on allergen information — can be a game-changer.
It keeps your establishment on the right side of health codes and instills customer confidence in your team.
Multimedia content support
The hospitality industry thrives on vivid, engaging training materials. Whether it’s a new cook mastering a recipe through a step-by-step video or a server learning the nuances of wine pairing through interactive quizzes.
Plus, engaging training content often requires a mix of videos, images, and interactive simulations to convey information effectively.
So, your chosen LMS should support and optimize these multimedia formats to help capture the essence of hands-on learning, which is crucial for restaurants.
Customization and scalability
Every restaurant has unique training needs based on its size, culture, and operational demands.
An LMS that allows customization will enable you to tailor training modules, assessments, and learning paths to fit your specific requirements.
Additionally, your LMS should scale with your business — from onboarding new employees to rolling out training across multiple locations without compromising user experience.
The bottom line
With the right LMS software, you can ensure that your staff receive engaging, relevant, and accessible training tailored to the unique dynamics of the restaurant industry.
Now it’s up to you to take the first step toward a more educated, efficient, and compliant restaurant team.
Start by scheduling a demo today to explore how Docebo can reshape your restaurant’s learning and development approach.
