Brady Mendoza, co-owner of a family-owned grill restaurant in Honduras, shares how implementing Loyverse transformed the way they manage their daily operations. From improving order organization during peak hours to gaining better control over inventory and sales, Loyverse became a key ally in operating the business with greater efficiency, clarity, and peace of mind.

To begin, could you briefly tell us about your business? How long have you been operating?

The business is a grilled food restaurant. It has been operating for approximately thirteen years. It is located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. It is a family-owned business, and the main owner is my mother. I have always supported her, and since last year, I started using the Loyverse POS application because we were having many issues with order management. Orders had to be written down manually, so I began testing different applications until I found Loyverse, and we have been working with it ever since.

What other challenges did you face before using Loyverse?

During peak hours, customers would pile up, and sometimes people claimed they had been waiting twenty or thirty minutes for their food when in reality they had only been waiting ten or fifteen minutes. Loyverse has helped us significantly by allowing us to take orders in sequence. Some orders take longer to prepare, so we can prioritize other items that are faster to serve. This has helped us maintain better control.

It has also helped us with inventory management, especially when handling soft drinks, which is now much easier. Previously, we only had an estimate of our income, but with the application, we now know our average monthly and weekly sales, as well as which products sell the most.

You mentioned that you explored several POS systems before choosing Loyverse. Was there a specific reason for selecting it?

Previously, I used another application, but it did not meet my needs at that time. I tested two or three other applications, but they were very complex and required payment. They offered a seven-day trial, but they were still too complicated for what I needed.

When I found this application, I really liked how practical it is and the fact that approximately 95% of its features are free. Another important factor was device compatibility, especially with tablets, since I manage everything using tablets. The kitchen order display runs on one tablet, and I use another for taking orders. That flexibility was something I really appreciated. Those were the main reasons that caught my attention. Additionally, for someone who is not very familiar with technology, trying a new application and having to pay for it can be intimidating. These applications are usually expensive, so that was another key factor in my decision.

Since implementing the system, which features do you use most frequently?

Primarily, we use order intake and the kitchen display screen. We receive orders via phone calls, messages, and in person. We also make extensive use of the order comments feature, since many customers request modifications, such as removing a specific ingredient. This ensures that it is clearly indicated on the kitchen ticket, for example, if a dish should not include cabbage or tomato. This allows us to maintain better control. The payment process is also very efficient, as entering the data and calculating change is much faster, which speeds up the entire operation. That has been extremely helpful.

Regarding inventory and reports within the back office, is there any feature that you find especially useful in your daily operations?

I do not access the back office very frequently, but I do like reviewing averages to see which products are selling the most and to monitor income. I mainly use it to track soft drink sales, since the profit margin is very small and almost everything is reinvested. At the end of each sales week, I log in and review receipts one by one to calculate total soft drink sales. That is the primary way I use the back office. At one point, I tried activating an integration available in the Marketplace because I wanted to see if I could send orders to customers via a link or QR code. Overall, that is how I currently use the back office.

You mentioned that the application is used on multiple tablets and by several people. How was the implementation of Loyverse for your team? Did anyone face difficulties, or was the adaptation smooth?

I am the primary user since I closely monitor customer interactions, but two other employees also use the system and find it easy to work with. In my case, since I use a tablet, it works better for me to have all products displayed on a single screen. Because that view organizes items alphabetically rather than by category, I added numbers at the beginning of each product name. For example, grilled items start with number one, fried items with number two, and soft drinks with number three. This allows me to keep everything organized on one screen and makes the process more practical.

Did you notice changes in your business when comparing the period before and after using the system?

Yes, especially in loss control. Previously, losses could occur, but now it is much more difficult, particularly with soft drinks. In a restaurant like ours, sometimes a customer or even an employee might take one, but now, if something is missing, we can review the records and camera footage to determine what happened. It has also helped us identify which products sell the most and recognize slower weeks, something we did not have clear visibility on before. The kitchen display screen is the tool we use the most, and the biggest change in the business has been in order intake and delivery. That was the key improvement.

And in terms of customer service, did you notice whether customers perceived any changes?

Absolutely. Before, everything was essentially manual. Customers began to notice that we were using tablets, which caught their attention. Several customers who own other businesses have asked which application we use. Many assume that such systems require high costs, as they are familiar with other applications that are expensive and billed annually. Some even thought I had developed my own application. I explain that it is a readily available application, accessible, and very easy to use.

Do you believe Loyverse has made your business more efficient in terms of sales and decision-making, for example, through the use of reports?

Yes, definitely. In the restaurant business, there are peak hours when you are responding to a message while receiving one call and then another. Previously, everything had to be done manually, writing down each order or constantly checking WhatsApp.

At times, we made mistakes, such as serving a customer whose order had just been placed while another customer had been waiting for twenty-five minutes. In that sense, being able to take orders efficiently during peak hours has been extremely helpful. It is very practical. Additionally, while orders are being prepared, payments can also be processed. This allows us to ask customers to wait briefly while the order is completed and then proceed with payment, creating a clear and organized workflow.

To conclude with your personal opinion and advice for other entrepreneurs, considering this is a restaurant, would you recommend this system for similar businesses?

Yes, absolutely, for both similar businesses and other types of businesses. As I mentioned before, I used another application for a retail venture, and this application works just as well for restaurants as it does for general retail stores. I fully recommend it.

I understand that the application is currently free, except for certain add-ons such as employee management, which I use. If improvements were implemented in the future and the system became paid, I would gladly accept that.

Finally, what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

Above all, understanding that the beginning is always difficult. Starting and sustaining a business is not easy, but over time, you build your customer base. It is important to remain resilient and not become discouraged, because there are good days and slow days in terms of sales, and that is completely normal.

Learning to stay calm, always maintaining a smile for customers even on challenging days, and persevering are key. Things arrive in their own time. The most important thing is not to lose motivation and to keep moving forward.