We met with Hugo de Leon, the owner of Open Format Restobar, a bar and restaurant that also operates in partnership with a taqueria. It is located in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, in the Barrio Antiguo. They opened their business three and a half years ago and have been using Loyverse since September of last year.

When you opened your business, were you already using a point-of-sale system, or did you start using one before switching to Loyverse?

Yes, we have always had a point-of-sale system, but it was a PC-based system, and it did not look modern. It was very outdated and did not give us the flexibility that Loyverse gives us now.

What were the main challenges that led you to switch to Loyverse, and how did the implementation process go?

More than anything, there were two things. First, the equipment we were working with, and second, the flexibility of the reports. With Loyverse, I have the opportunity to download reports by receipt and use them for invoicing.

The implementation was quite simple. We started with the free version and added basic options over the course of a month. Then, in the second month, we started the trial and activated Unlimited Sales History.

How did you discover Loyverse, and what led you to choose it?

We researched point-of-sale systems. There are many that are a little more expensive, so after researching and asking around, we came across Loyverse, mainly through the internet.

Besides the price, what features made you decide to go with Loyverse?

The fact that it can provide detailed reports, which I also needed to use for invoicing. I needed the option to export them, and in Loyverse, it is just one click away. I also liked how easy it is to add products, combos, and the additional items we offer to our customers, as well as the fact that it accurately tracks our inventory.

Did you encounter any challenges when you first started using Loyverse?

Actually, no. During that trial month, I think we were able to resolve all our questions ourselves. It is very easy to interact with the system.

Which Loyverse features do you use most frequently?

The inventory and items features. Adding items and applying discounts are the features we use the most.

Which Loyverse tool do you find most useful in your day-to-day operations?

The reports, especially the sales reports by receipt. Since I am away from the business, I can check in real time how our sales are going. That is a great feature. I also use the Dashboard app to access this information more quickly.

I understand that you also use Employee Management. What led you to subscribe to it?

Yes, I have one employee. Basically, it allows me to leave the business on its own and still keep track of how much is coming in and going out through the cash register closings. It is also very useful for checking how the business is doing from wherever I am. Loyverse makes it very easy to view the information for whatever time range you want, with charts, payment types, and a breakdown of which products your customers are consuming the most. All the reports are very useful.

How easy was it for your employee to adapt to Loyverse?

It was very easy because it is very intuitive. It is much easier than the system we had before, especially because our sales flow needs to be very fast during peak hours. Our business model at the bar is fast service, and with the previous system, the process was very slow because it was a regular computer with a mouse and keyboard. We needed something fast, such as a touchscreen tablet, to take orders.

What impact did Loyverse have on your business after you started using it?

I did notice a change. With Unlimited Sales History, I had more options and greater flexibility to review the weak points and identify areas that could be improved in the business. For example, after charging the tickets, since each person handles their own ticket, I can see how many people made purchases each day and what they purchased the most. It helps me anticipate these kinds of situations.

Have you noticed improvements in areas such as inventory control and sales, or even when making business decisions?

Yes, especially with inventory control, which was our main concern at the beginning.

Have you used information from Loyverse to make decisions about the business?

Yes, especially to create promotions or combos. For example, if I see that customers are ordering a lot of a particular type of beverage, I create a combo with a food item so they will purchase it together, and the average ticket will increase. Loyverse makes the operation easier.

If you could improve an existing tool or add a new feature, what would you like to see in Loyverse?

Yes. In the mobile app, in the Dashboard, I would like to have a few more options, similar to those available in the Back Office. For example, I would like to have the option to view sales by payment type. That is the feature I would like them to add: instead of having to go into the Back Office to see which sales were paid by card and which were paid in cash, I would like to be able to see that directly in the Dashboard.

After so many years as an entrepreneur, what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

I would tell them to go for it, pursue their dreams and objectives, and rely on the tools they need to make it happen. And if they are looking for a point-of-sale system, I would tell them to try Loyverse, especially because it gives you the option to try its free features and even its paid features for several days. That is what I did. I tried it, I liked it, and it worked very well for the business, which is why I have continued using Loyverse.

Open Format Restobar on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Take the next step! Sign up for Loyverse and experience it for yourself, starting free.