With nearly 10,000 breweries operating across the US, craft beer is a staple American beverage, drawing in keen consumers who are on the hunt for fun flavors and crisp local beers. However, maintaining and growing profitability in the current market is tougher than ever for brewery owners. In order to stay on top of customer needs and streamline operations, an efficient point of sale (POS) system is essential.
Many breweries still count on outdated POS software, hindering their business by making everyday tasks more time consuming. In fact, around 40% of current systems are more than five years old. In today’s landscape, a good brewery POS system has shown to have a huge impact on order taking, payment processing, and staff management.
In this article, we explain how you can improve the running of your brewery business through POS integration.
Simple bar tab management
A modern POS system simplifies bar tabs by being able to link each order to an active customer tab. With the ability to pre-authorize credit cards, staff don’t have to worry about processing every single payment–speeding up the service significantly.
It also allows for bills to be easily split, whether by item or by seat, ensuring customers can settle their tabs in a way that suits their preference.
By managing bar tabs through the POS system, it eradicates human errors that can impact both customer satisfaction and your business income.
Improve staff management
Managing your brewery staff can come with challenges, especially during peak times. A POS system helps simplify employee scheduling, tracking clock-in and clock-out times so you can keep on top of attendance.
The system can also provide performance insights, analyzing the sales data by specific team members. This allows you to recognize top performers and identify areas where additional training or support might be needed.
With a whopping 91% of HR workers confirming that recognition and reward has a positive effect on employee retention, making an effort to maintain communication with employees can help boost overall team productivity and morale.
Keep on top of inventory levels
Gone are the days of having to carry out manual inventory checks. A modern POS system allows you to monitor stock levels in real-time, prompting you if you are running low on essential supplies.
Automated alerts and precise tracking mean your brewery can maintain consistent inventory levels, avoiding waste while ensuring you’re always well-stocked.
In addition to this, your POS system also provides insight into product performance by tracking which beers sell the most and identifying slower-moving items. This data should be used to inform your offerings, matching seasonal trends and making sure to take customer preferences into account.
Create loyalty programs
Customer retention is the key to the long-term success of a brewery, building up relationships and creating a community feel that makes customers want to return.
According to The Loyalty Report, 85% of consumers claim they are more likely to return to businesses with loyalty programs. By introducing incentives like free drinks, exclusive discounts, or early access to limited-edition beers, customers are getting a memorable experience that will help turn them into regular patrons.
Since POS systems track customer orders and spending habits, you can use this data to create tailored loyalty programs that cater to the behaviors of your audience.
Automate Offers & Discounts
Special offers remain a great way to attract new customers and boost sales. Although it is a great business tactic, it can make things difficult for employees who are required to keep track of happy hours, limited-time deals, or stock clearance sales.
A POS system allows you to schedule any new discounts and offers ahead of time, automatically applying them to prevent delays or confusion. Whether it’s a “buy one, get one free” offer or a discount on specific beers, the system will update customer tabs without the need for manual input.
This automation means your staff can focus their time and effort on delivering excellent service.
The future of your brewing success
In the fast-paced world of breweries, staying competitive requires more than just great beer.
With an integrated POS system, breweries are able to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience, maximizing profitability in the long run.
By embracing modern software, the capabilities of managing inventory, improving staff performance, automating promotions, and building customer loyalty contribute towards long-term success.
Investing in a POS system isn’t just a step toward operational efficiency, but the key to adapting to growing demands of today’s consumers.
Heather Langley is a content writer with a specialism in hospitality technology. By helping businesses streamline their processes through POS systems, software integrations, and innovative tech solutions, she provides valuable insights that can help your brewery stay competitive in an ever-changing market.
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