Running a community pub is a challenge in itself, but even more so when the landlord has never run a pub before! That’s exactly the situation well-known TikToker Rolly May faced when he and his team won the bid to manage The Russell Arms in Butler’s Cross.

With no hospitality experience, Rolly May was tasked with transforming and reviving the venerable local institution into a food-focused pub. May quickly discovered that managing the pub’s operations required more than just enthusiasm and social media influence. He needed a robust system to efficiently track stock, sales, and provide reports to the committee.

Recognizing the potential of this venture, Everything EPOS stepped in to help May set up the tills and provide the necessary software and hardware solutions that would help him guide the pub into its latest iteration.

Everything EPOS Gets Hands On

After surveying the pub, we determined that The Russell Arms would be best served with two EPOS units: one for the bar and one for the restaurant. We also installed a kitchen printer and provided the pub with three ordering pads. By asking the right questions up front, Everything EPOS was able to assess their needs and set them up for success on opening night.

Additionally, we provided guidance on overall restaurant and pub operations, provided a day-long, hands-on training to the pub’s 10 staff members, and then returned on opening night to make sure everything ran smoothly.

In fact, during opening night, the pub experienced a number of hiccups, common to restaurants on opening night. For example, there was no way for the pub to sell crisps, as they hadn’t included it in their till as a purchasable item. What’s more, a communication issue arose between the front-of-the-house and kitchen staff that impacted service.

But with our onsite guidance and fine-tuning of their EPOS, we were able to fix the system on the fly, and the Russell Arms was quickly able to address both issues and get on with their opening night.

One Year Later, The Russell Arms Is Humming

Over the course of the first year, the implementation of Everything EPOS systems has had a significant impact on the community pub’s operations. By leveraging the comprehensive reporting and tracking capabilities of our software, the pub has been able to fine-tune its menu, leading to a 20-25% reduction in waste across both food and drinks.

One notable success was the identification of slow business periods, such as Tuesday lunches. Using detailed sales reports, the pub initiated special lunch promotions on these quieter days, resulting in improved customer turnout and increased sales by approximately 30 percent. With one year under its belt, the management has successfully fine-tuned its menu, ensuring that offerings align with customer preferences and operational efficiency.

The software also played a crucial role in addressing operational challenges. When a staff member was suspected of stealing money, the detailed tracking features of Everything EPOS helped identify the culprit, allowing for swift resolution of the issue.

Lastly, the pub has been able to easily generate all the necessary reports for the community committee has provided transparency and accountability, fostering trust and confidence among the shareholders.

Thanks to the help of Everything EPOS, Rolly May can focus on what’s most important: Keeping The Russell Arms a warm and welcoming local institution and thriving community hub for gathering and enjoying high-quality meals.