Note: At the request of the client, the name of the business has been anonymized. 

What does it take for a business to replace a bad reputation with the enticing smell of biryanis and the clink of cocktail glasses?

That’s the question the owners of a local bar and grill in a mid-sized UK city asked themselves when they decided to renovate their building. Previously, the space had been home to a pub with the well-earned reputation as a dive bar.

The owner saw beyond the stale scent of old beer. His vision? A modern Indian restaurant and cocktail bar that didn’t just change the menu, but changed the story.

Overcoming the site’s reputation wasn’t the only challenge, though. The area offers a wide variety of eating options, despite being a dodgy part of town, and just getting people in the door meant changing people’s perceptions about the space. To do that, they knew they needed not only delicious food and drinks, but top-notch service that keeps customers coming back.

Turning a dive bar into a family-friendly restaurant wasn’t just a matter of changing the sign over the door; it required a full-blown makeover. The owners hired a restaurant consultant to help them, and the consultant knew who to call to provide the technological backbone for seamless operations: Everything EPOS.

Goodbye Grubby Bar, Hello Refined Dining

The first step for Everything EPOS was to conduct a site survey. It was important to see the shell of the old place not for what it was, a run-down bar with barely any tables, but what it could be. Our team determined exactly what systems were needed to create a smooth operational flow, and mapped that to the technologies needed to help staff deliver impeccable service from day one.

Out went the beer-stained past, and in came an elegant system designed to make service a breeze: two tills at the bar, one at the entrance for takeaway and table management, five handheld waiter pads for tableside ordering, and a dedicated waiter station to print table checks.

The emphasis was on creating both a no-clutter dining space and an effortless customer journey. Add to that a high-efficiency cocktail machine capable of whipping up over 30 drinks, and the new pub was wired to deliver from the first pour to the last plate.

Delivering Service that Sizzles

While most new restaurants stumble before they walk, this venue hit the ground running and didn’t look back. Service ran like clockwork even on the opening night, a rarity in the restaurant business.

Thanks to intuitive tech and a well-thought-out flow, staff didn’t need a ton of training to get started. The EPOS system enabled them to guide guests through the menu, prompt for spice preferences, and ensure that every customer received prompt and friendly attention. The five handheld waiter pads meant orders zipped straight to the kitchen without delay, and the kitchen in turn was prepped and ready with everything they needed. No second-guessing, no chaos.

Unlike most restaurant launches that come with a side of apologies and comped desserts, this one enjoyed a drama-free debut. Their first service went so smoothly, they didn’t have to bribe diners with discounts to make up for mistakes.

With such a flawless execution, the bar and grill has wowed its clientele and overcome its dark past to deliver stellar service alongside modern Indian cuisine and refined cocktails. And Everything EPOS was there to provide the infrastructure to transform the owner’s vision into a reality.