Success Story

Upgraded POS System Improves Management of Marketing Information, Financial Reporting, and Credit Card Processing.

Robert Newman has a better grasp on the information he needs to run his Perks Café more efficiently than ever, thanks in part to RO.com.

Newman's best decision of 2017, he explains, was installing an integrated POS and card-processing system. "We were able to gather marketing information from our customers, as well as manage our business better, with the financial reporting processes." Another benefit was "a better credit-card processing rate and simple one-stop problem-solving for any equipment issues."

The need was there, he recalls, with "incorrect financial reporting and finger-pointing among equipment providers. Our provider was quick to offer equipment upgrades that addressed the ever-changing regulations and requirements of card processing. We were able to spend more time training, and developing our menu."

Newman says he first became aware of this need after three years of struggling with unresolved card-processing equipment problems and having to manually create financial reports. "We started researching new POS systems."

That process began after the restaurateur read several RO.com articles on integrated systems, as well as interviews with operators who were experiencing the benefits of those integrated systems."Once we made the decision to upgrade to an integrated system, we used RestaurantOwner.com as a resource guide"(POS Survey).

Newman says the change "absolutely" accomplished what he'd hoped it would. "In hindsight, I can't believe the time we wasted instead of focusing on improving our general business, and the mistakes we made assuming our financials were correct."

Now, besides having a one-stop solution for equipment issues and avoiding downtime, he and his team have saved thousands of dollars in credit-card processing fees. "Most important, we were able to better engineer our menus because we had more accurate and timely financial information. We understand our customers' purchasing habits and can now drive our marketing program with much more accuracy."

Armed with the more accurate financial information, Newman turned to menu engineering and expense reduction. "The money we've saved is substantial. Actually, it's helped in all aspects of managing our business expenses. Also, sales grew with a better targeting of our marketing."

Perks Café's move toward improved menu offerings by embracing healthy food options is what Newman refers to as "our big initiative." Another aspect of it involves replacing all of the establishment's paper items with more environmentally sensitive products. "It may cost a little more, but it's good for the environment and we know we are doing the right thing.

Newman says he and his team are excited about 2018, as more Americans come to seek out healthy food options when dining out. "We're also seeing better candidates for hire, as the younger generation is more inclined to better themselves through education, and are more motivated. The economic reality for young people is not pretty, and they are taking it upon themselves to make things better."

The remainder of 2018 will "definitely" see the continued addition of both healthier options and creative beverages, "particularly juices," to Perk Café's menu. "We basically eliminated soda pop products, and now only offer healthier options," Newman says. "We are soon going to be selling more gluten-free and vegan products than the old standard menu offerings. It appears breakfast foods are in demand all day. But we definitely see a strong movement to healthy options."