The Best Two-Way Radios for Restaurants
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your restaurant, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for restaurants?
Table 5 has been waiting for their order for 45 minutes…The couple at Table 12 was seated 15 minutes ago and no server has approached them…
The kitchen is completely backed up with tickets piling…
They all need help that they’re not getting.
These are all common issues in a restaurant - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios....
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your restaurant, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small restaurants, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger restaurants (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for a restaurant:
- Host Stand – For hosts to coordinate guest seating, wait times, and reservation updates.
- Kitchen – Direct communication between servers and kitchen staff for order updates, special requests, and timing.
- Servers – Used by the waitstaff to coordinate service, assist each other, or request help from bussers or runners.
- Bar – For bartenders to coordinate drink orders with servers and notify when drinks are ready.
- Bussers/Runners – To communicate with servers and hosts about table resets, food running, and clearing.
- Manager – Reserved for management staff to coordinate across departments or handle customer issues quietly.
- Maintenance – For reporting urgent issues like spills, broken equipment, or safety concerns.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great restaurant radio?
- Compact & Lightweight Design: Staff will wear these for long shifts—small, clip-on models are ideal.
- Clear Audio: Background noise (like kitchen clatter or music) can get loud – make sure your staff can hear over the sound.
- UHF Frequency: UHF radios perform better indoors and through walls, making them perfect for restaurant layouts.
- Multiple Channels: Allows teams (kitchen, hosts, bar, management, etc.) to communicate on separate lines without cross-talk.
- Privacy: Look for privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) to reduce interference from nearby businesses.
- Hands-Free Options (VOX or Earpieces) voice-activated transmission can allow for hands-free use. Wired or wireless earpieces keep things professional and discreet.
- Long Battery Life: Look for at least 8–12 hours of battery life, ideally with quick-charge options or multi-unit chargers.
- Durability & Water Resistance: Spills, drops, and heat are part of the job. A rugged or water-resistant model (like IP54 or higher) will last longer in a restaurant environment.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Restaurants
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for restaurants of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Restaurants
For typical retaurant layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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Lightweight, discreet, and hands-free with excellent audio clarity.
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The Motorola CLPe series has the distinction of being the smallest and lightest series on our list at only 2.38 ounces. The Motorola CLP1080e is the most advanced CLPe radio that we carry.
By advanced, we mean that this radio has eight channels to segment a mid-size staff (or there is a 1 channel version).
It’s a UHF radio that works really well both indoors and outside with a 10 floor indoor range and one mile outdoors.
This series comes with a discreet earpiece and belt holster and fits perfectly on most uniforms.
The 1080e has a 12-hour battery life and is simple to use thanks to the large central PTT button.
Antimicrobial properties are included in the casing for disease control, so germs aren’t going to spread.
This device is also repeater capable in case you need to double its range.
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User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life.
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Meet the Motorola CLS1410, a UHF Radio with 4 channels that would be right at home in an average sized buildings up to 200,000 sqft.
You can conserve a lot of power with this device as it only uses 1-watt of energy. You don't need more than that for an average sized restaurant, so it's best to not overspend on features you don't need.
It has 15 floors of indoor range, which is more than enough for a restaurant.
This radio features audible call alerts, which play a sound when a call is coming in.
Larger Restaurants - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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There are a bunch of reasons why restaurants choose the Curve…
- It’s an even more durable device that is also compact.
- There are no FCC licensing fees.
- Because it uses newer technology, digital communications are even more clear
This product has several features
- No FCC license fees, which can add a lot to the final cost
- 10 channels to staff
- Indoor Range of 300,000 square feet or 20 floors
- 900 Mhz Digital Communication
If you want to include the Motorola Curve in your restaurant, contact Tech Wholesale to get a free personalized quote.
With 10 channels, you can segment a much larger staff.
You're also able to save money on these radios because there is no FCC licensing. That means you won't have to pay any government fees to use your devices.
This is a portable two-way radio with an indoor range of up to 300,000 square feet or 20 floors. That range is ideal for most larger spaces.
Honorable Mention
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your restaurant – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!