Freecost vs Optimum Control

Freecost gives restaurant kitchens a shared way to track ingredient prices, recipe costs, and menu margins through Android and web access. It calculates food-cost percentages for recipes and menu items, while the ingredient database records vendors, pack sizes, and allergens. Users can scan delivery invoices; extracted prices update ingredient costs and affected recipes. Inventory counts work offline and include dated dollar valuations, and waste logging provides weekly cost trends. The tools also include printable recipe and build cards, order guides, prep lists, and support for multiple kitchens on one account. CSV and Excel imports are included. The Android app supports full offline mode, including inventory counting. The free plan is listed at free and includes unlimited recipes, menu items, and ingredients, with no per-seat pricing or usage cap. Freecost does not include labor scheduling, purchase-order approval workflows, vendor management across several locations, or catering event and BEO management.

Optimum Control is a suite of restaurant inventory management tools for Windows-based desktop devices, with options for restaurants, multi-unit chains, and leisure or entertainment centers. OC Pro supports full or targeted inventory counts, menu engineering to identify dishes that perform well or need improvement, and ordering guided by par levels, forecasts, and reminders. OC Enterprise is designed for multi-unit chains, with centralized recipe management and cloud-based reporting accessible over the internet. OC Premier handles multiple inventories across outlets and supports stock requisitions and transfers between centers. The suite integrates with POS, accounting, and rebate processing systems; named integrations include Aloha, TouchBistro, QuickBooks Desktop, Sysco, US Foods, and Notch. Usernames, passwords, and role-based access levels range from no access to full access. Subscriptions include support, and the company says it aims to answer enquiries within 24 hours on business days. Evaluation Mode is available for the first 30 days before registration. Plans include OC Mobile at $25 a month, OC Pro at $150 a month, OC Enterprise at $180 a month, and OC Premier at $300 a month.