Manage Your Franchise: Top 5 Franchise Software in 2025

Growing your business into a franchise is a big win. But unless you’ve mastered time travel, you can’t be everywhere at once—and managing schedules, training, and daily ops by hand will only stretch you thinner. Franchise software keeps everything connected in one place, so every location runs like you’re right there, even when you aren’t.

TL/DR: Franchise software overview

Running a franchise means your to-do list never really ends, so let’s not add another bullet to it. Here’s a quick look at the best franchise software options and what to keep in mind when choosing the right fit.

Top 5 franchise software tools in 2025:

• Homebase: Best for hourly franchise teams—includes scheduling, time tracking, payroll, compliance, and tip management, all in one easy platform.
• Erply: Best for inventory-heavy franchises and POS needs
• Delightree: Best for SOPs, compliance, and franchisee communication
• Pulse Technology: Best for data tracking, analytics, and insights
• Connecteam: Best for mobile teams and real-time communication

Key features to look for in franchise software:

• Franchise scheduling software with built-in time tracking and payroll
• Centralized communication tools that work across all locations
• Automated compliance and reporting to stay audit ready
• Scalable pricing and easy integrations with your existing tools
• Mobile access so your team can stay connected anywhere

Want the full breakdown? Keep scrolling.

{{banner-cta}}

What is franchise software?

Juggling schedules in one tab, payroll in another, while group chats blow up your phone? That’s a recipe for burnout. Franchise management software pulls everything into one unified system, built for multi-location teams.

With the right franchise management tools, you can cut down on manual work, stay consistent across locations, and keep everyone in the loop. It’s how you go from “just keeping up” to building something that scales—sustainably. 

Top 5 Franchise software tools in 2025

1. Homebase

Best for: Franchises with hourly teams who want everything—scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and payroll—in one easy-to-use app.

Pros:

• Build and share schedules across multiple locations in minutes.
• Mobile time clock with GPS and photo verification.
• Monitor overtime and reduce labor costs by tracking labor hours in real-time.
• Includes team messaging, shift reminders, and self-serve shift swaps.
• Syncs seamlessly with payroll systems like Gusto, QuickBooks, and Square.
• Free plan available for teams just getting started.
• Great customer support and an intuitive app your whole team can use.
  
  

Cons:

• Per-location pricing may not work for franchises with many small teams.
• Some advanced features (like labor forecasting) are only in paid plans.
  
  

Pricing:

• Free plan includes scheduling, time tracking, and messaging for one location.
• Paid plans start at $27/month per location (for unlimited employees).

2. Erply

Best for: Franchises with complex inventory and retail operations that need a robust franchise software system integrating POS, inventory tracking, and scheduling.

Pros:

• Built-in inventory management with real-time stock tracking
• Scalable POS system with support for multi-location franchises
• Unified sales data and employee performance insights 
• Customizable permissions for different staff roles
• Secure payment processing with detailed audit trails
• Cloud-based platform supports growth across regions
  
  

Cons:

• Interface can feel clunky compared to more modern tools.
• Scheduling and team communication features aren’t as intuitive or robust.
• Requires some onboarding and setup time to configure everything.
  
  

Pricing: Basic POS plans start at $59/month, with enterprise and franchise pricing available upon request.

3. Delightree

Best for: Emerging or fast-scaling franchises that need help standardizing operations, onboarding new locations, and staying compliant across the board.

Pros:

• Customizable SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and workflows to maintain consistency
• Built-in task management tools to track location-level operations
• Mobile onboarding and training modules 
• Real-time visibility into task completion and operational checklists
• Centralized documentation hub for compliance, policies, and updates
  
  

Cons:

• Focuses more on systems and processes than on scheduling or payroll.
• May be too process-heavy for small or single-location teams.
• Limited reporting compared to analytics-first platforms.
  
  

Pricing: Custom pricing based on franchise size and features needed.

4. Pulse Technology

Best for: Franchises looking to centralize lead tracking, onboarding, and reporting, with a strong emphasis on data-driven growth insights.

Pros:

• CRM tools built for franchise development and sales
• Real-time reporting across locations 
• Automates workflows for onboarding, task management, and projects
• Marketing automation features 
• Mobile-friendly dashboard 
• Custom workflows to match your specific franchise structure
  
  

Cons:

• May require a bit of a learning curve to fully implement.
• Reporting and automation tools can feel overwhelming for small teams.
• Doesn’t include native scheduling or time tracking.
  
  

Pricing: Custom pricing based on the number of users and modules

5. Connecteam

Best for: Franchises with dispersed or field-based teams that need mobile-first communication, onboarding, and task management.

Pros:

• Built-in chat, updates, and surveys for seamless team communication.
• Mobile-friendly scheduling with shift claiming and time clock features.
• Easy-to-use training modules for onboarding and standardization.
• Task checklists and forms keep daily operations consistent.
• Offers feedback tools like polls and employee surveys.
  
  

Cons:

• Limited reporting and analytics compared to more robust systems.
• Some users report issues with app loading or syncing offline.
• Fewer integrations than other all-in-one tools.
  
  

Pricing:

• Free for up to 10 users
• Basic paid plans start at $29/month for 30 users, plus $0.50 per additional user.

Why use franchise management software?

Hiring at one location while scrambling to cover a no-show at another? That’s just another Tuesday as a franchisee. With integrated software that keeps everything in one place, you can stop running in circles and start managing your team and operations more smoothly. Here’s how the right software makes a difference:

Scale without the chaos

Running one location is busy, but running five? That’s when you start to see the cracks in your processes. Manual methods that once worked for your small team just can’t keep up as you grow. Franchise management software fills those cracks by automating time-consuming tasks and centralizing everything you need to keep things running smoothly.

Centralize team and schedule management

More locations mean more employees and more to manage. With the right tools, you can recruit, manage, and schedule your growing team from one place. No more texting for availability or last-minute coverage. Franchise scheduling software lets you quickly see everyone's availability, and create, adjust, and share schedules that keep everyone happy. 

Stay ahead of risk and compliance challenges

The best franchise management solutions act as your second set of eyes, spotting operational red flags, compliance issues, and performance gaps. With real-time insights, you can catch potential problems early—whether it’s late punches or underperforming locations—and take action before they escalate.

Make decisions based on franchise-wide data—not gut checks.

Your gut may have gotten you this far but as your franchise scales, your decisions should be based on something a bit more concrete. With franchise tools that track hours, sales, and staffing trends across locations, you gain real-time insights into what’s working and what’s not. The result? Smarter decisions, even on days when your gut is too busy dealing with last night’s leftovers to provide solid guidance.

Sharpen your competitive edge across locations

Good franchising software helps you move faster, hire smarter, and manage more efficiently. With the tech handling the heavy lifting, you get more time to focus on strategy—or, you know, actually enjoy a lunch break.

How to choose the right franchise software

While most franchise software systems offer similar features, not all are built the same—and the last thing you need is a tool that adds more work. So, how do you choose the right one? Well, it depends on factors like size, number of locations, and operational complexity. But overall, franchisees will benefit from prioritizing these key features:

Franchise software pricing that scales with you

Some tools look affordable until you add your second (or fifth) location. Choose a franchise software solution with transparent pricing and features that grow with your team. Bonus points if it rolls scheduling, payroll, and team management into one system to save you time and money.

Integrations with the tools you already use

Franchise software should play nice with your POS, payroll, and all the other tools you’re already using. Otherwise, it’s just another standalone tech headache you don’t need. Homebase cuts down on the digital chatter by syncing with systems like Square, Shopify, Toast, and QuickBooks—so you can spend less time sorting out tech and more time running the show.

Scheduling, time tracking, and payroll in one place

You shouldn’t need three different tools to track hours, pay your team, and manage shifts. The best franchise scheduling software does it all in one place. Look for features that work together, like time tracking syncing with payroll and scheduling that integrates with compliance. Why does it matter? When time tracking, scheduling, and payroll connect behind the scenes, you don’t have to worry about calculating overtime—it’s automatically handled for you.

Compliance and reporting capabilities—without the stress

Managing multiple locations means compliance can feel like a never-ending task, especially if those locations cross state lines. Look for franchise management software that automatically tracks labor laws, breaks, and overtime, so you don’t have to keep tabs on every detail. Even better? Platforms that securely store your records and keep you audit-ready without the stress.

Multi-location communication that keeps you connected

You can’t be everywhere at once, but your franchise software system can make it feel like you are. Look for a platform with built-in team messaging, document sharing, and shift alerts to keep everyone on the same page—even if those pages are in slightly different books.

Simplify franchise operations with Homebase.

Running a franchise shouldn’t mean juggling a dozen tools or spending your days chasing down schedules and missed punches. Homebase brings everything together in one place, so you can manage your team, track hours, run payroll, and keep things compliant without the chaos. It's designed to help franchise owners and operators stay focused on the big picture, not the daily scramble.

Here’s how Homebase helps you keep it all moving:

• Build and share schedules fast—and copy them across locations in seconds.
• Track time and attendance in real-time, so hours stay accurate and payroll-ready.
• Run payroll that’s already synced with your timesheets and tax settings.
• Hire and onboard new team members without jumping between apps.
• Message your team about shifts, updates, or last-minute changes—all in one place.
• Get HR and compliance support when you need it, without calling in legal reinforcements.

Whether you’re opening your second location or managing ten, consistency is everything. Homebase helps you keep schedules, hours, and team updates aligned—without making each location feel like its own separate project. It’s easy to roll out, simple for teams to use, and built for how franchises actually operate.

Ready to take your franchise to the next level? Get started for free today.

{{banner-cta}}