Wags N Tales, Surrey
“We run three businesses in one – a coffee shop, restaurant and cocktail bar – and Tabology's EPOS software is the only one that gives us everything we need.” Parvin Tank, co-founder of Wags N Tales.
South West London is bursting with parks and green spaces ideal for dog walkers, but there are far fewer hospitality businesses in the area ready to welcome those same walkers and their canine companions when it comes to post-exercise refreshment.
It was that gap in the market, prompted by their experience of walking their own dog, Cadbury, that prompted Parvin and Raj Tank to open Wags N Tales in Surbiton in 2016, Having found success and picking up a number of awards along the way, a second site opened in Twickenham in February 2020.
“We are essentially a follow-the-sun, into-the-night business,” says Parvin. “We’re a coffee shop, a restaurant offering vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re a fully licensed cocktail bar.” The trading day starts at 8am with coffee and breakfast, goes via brunch, lunch and dinner, and with a late licence of Friday and Saturday, can be serving freshly made cocktails through to 2am.
As for the name, “wags is for the dogs, and tales is for the tales customers come in to tell. Being dog-friendly is a key element of what we do, it helps us appeal to the right demographic in terms of customers.”
Wags N Tales has worked with Tabology as its EPOS provider since the earliest days. “When we opened in Surbiton we acquired a business that was already there; they had old-style tills and terminals. It was clunky and old-school.”
Tabology's Commercial Director, Ali Rees was able to advise Parvin on a new approach. “We are essentially three businesses in one, a coffee bar, restaurant and licensed bar, and Tabology's EPOS software was the only system we saw that does everything we want,” says Parvin.
“We wanted to move away from the old model of printing orders for the coffee bar and kitchen, and Tabology's EPOS is iPad based.” When an order is placed, order routing functionality ensures that the right elements go to the right places - coffees to the barista at the coffee station, food to the kitchen, and drinks to the bar.
Comprehensive order modification options also ensure that food and drink is tailored to each customer’s expectations. For example, the functionality ensures that the customer’s choice of various milk options, including almond, soy, coconut or oat milk, is flagged up to the barista.
“It was easy to set up, and for anyone new coming in, it takes 10 minutes or so to find their way around the system. Our employees who’ve worked in other hospitality businesses say it’s easy and intuitive to use.”
When the initial restrictions required as a result of the Covid pandemic were introduced in March 2020, Tabology's food & drink ordering app came into its own by allowing customers to order from their table. “It needed a few tweaks for what we wanted, but it was quick and easy to be up and running with QR code ordering. We also liked the fact that there is the flexibility to open a tab.
“We didn’t want customers to have to enter payment details with every order, so they can have a tab, order from their table and pay at the end. That’s been really useful, helping in keeping our costs low and our team as lean as possible during the pandemic.”
During the full lockdowns, the business switched to a takeaway and delivery model that includes groceries such as fresh bread and eggs, as well as veg boxes and upmarket sandwiches. Customers can also order from a range of heat-at-home deli specials which include smashed avocado toast, burritos, burger and tamales.
While there’s a choice of wine and bottled beer available, Wags N Tales has also pushed its takeaway drinks offer to the next level with a hotline that enables local customers to order draught beer or cocktails, that are delivered from the bar to their door in 20 to 40 minutes.
"We’re now looking at having the Tabology booking widget added to our website so that when a customer enters their booking request, it pops up straight away in the EPOS system.”
As the business prepares to reopen fully, it is planning to make more use of the booking function. “It was very useful when we began using it last summer, much better than having a diary and writing in bookings by hand. We’re now looking at having the booking widget added to our website so that when a customer enters their booking request, it pops up straight away in the EPOS system.”
Summing up, Parvin says: “We get very good service from Tabology. They’ve always been responsive to any issues we raise, or any request that we have for modifications. There is other software out there, but being three businesses in one, nothing else that gives us everything we need.”
If you are looking for an EPOS for your cafe, coffee shop, or multi-angle hospitality businesses, get in touch.
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