Category Archives: News

8 tips to be a restaurant owner committed to the planet

Are you a restaurant owner and want to take action for our planet? Great! Today, healthy and responsible plates are no longer an option, but a necessity. And it's in your kitchen that the real difference is made.

 

Here are 8 essential tips to become a committed and eco-responsible restaurant owner.

 

  1. Giving food a second life: As a restaurant owner, you have a crucial role to play. Every day, unsold items can become a real headache. But instead of throwing them away, why not donate them to food banks? Apps like Too Good To Go, Karma, Olio can connect you with consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact. By giving your food a second life, you reduce waste and improve your brand image. It's a win-win approach that allows you to actively participate in the fight against waste while attracting new customers who are sensitive to these issues.

 

2. Fight against food waste: Food waste is a major problem. As a restaurant owner, you can take action on several fronts. First, optimize your inventory based on your actual traffic. This will allow you to order just what you need, reducing waste. Then, ask your customers and listen to their opinions. Their feedback is valuable for adjusting your quantities and avoiding surpluses. Finally, think about recycling. The « doggy bag » is a simple but effective solution, and it has been mandatory since July 1, 2021. You can also transform unsold items into derivative products, such as jars for sale. These actions, in addition to reducing waste, will allow you to stand out and create a unique customer experience.

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3. Online booking, a lever of responsibility: Technology is your ally in your eco-responsible approach. Our online booking application can have a significant impact by allowing you to better anticipate your traffic, thus optimizing your purchases and reducing waste. It's a smart way to combine technology and environmental commitment, while raising customer awareness of these issues. By adopting this type of solution, you show that you are a modern restaurant owner who is aware of the challenges of our time.

 

4. Reduce the pressure on employees thanks to digital technology: Technology is not only used to improve the customer experience, it is also an excellent way to relieve your team. The use of digital tools, such as digital menus via QR Code, simplifies service and reduces physical contact, which is particularly appreciated in the current health context. Similarly, payment at the table by QR Code allows for faster table turnover, thus optimizing your space and time. These digital tools allow you to delegate certain tasks and focus your efforts and those of your team on what really matters: offering an unforgettable culinary experience.

 

5. Create menus in harmony with supplies: The creation of your menus must be closely linked to your supplies. A short and flexible menu, adapted to the seasons and the availability of producers, is a sign of freshness and quality. This allows you to reduce waste and ensure that each ingredient is used optimally. Take care of supplies: The choice of your suppliers is essential. Give preference to labeled products or find out about production practices. Sourcing directly from producers guarantees greater transparency for your customers. Don't hesitate to ask for detailed information on the origin and method of production of your ingredients. Fresh, local and seasonal products are very popular with consumers.

 

6. Communicate your commitments: Communication is essential. Share your actions and values on your social networks, your menu, and your website. The restaurant of tomorrow is one that will be able to respond to the following challenges: transparency, plant-based offerings, respect for the seasons, and caring team management. Make your approach known so that your customers understand and share your convictions.

 

7. Opt for local and responsible water: Choosing more ecological water is a responsible approach. On-site micro-filtered water fountains are an excellent alternative to plastic bottles. They reduce the environmental impact linked to the transport and packaging of water. By offering micro-filtered water, you contribute to the protection of the environment while offering quality water to your customers.

 

8. The crucial importance of hygiene in catering: In the catering sector, hygiene is not only a regulatory obligation, but also a central element of the reputation and success of your establishment. In accordance with HACCP standards, each restaurant must implement strict procedures to guarantee food safety. This includes regular monitoring of food storage temperatures, compliance with cleaning and disinfection standards, proper waste management, and ongoing staff training in good hygiene practices.

 

By adopting these practices, you become a major player in the transformation of the catering sector. Every action counts to build a more sustainable and responsible future. Together, let's make the restaurant of tomorrow a place of conviviality and commitment to our planet!

 

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Maximize your digital ecosystem with Popina

Welcome, fellow entrepreneur or business manager! Today, we're going to explore how to maximize your digital ecosystem with a range of essential tools to optimize your business operations. We'll introduce solutions such as customer loyalty, reservation management, click and collect, and work schedule management. Integrating these various digital solutions is crucial to maximizing your operational efficiency and economic growth.

The Importance of a Digital Ecosystem

Before diving into the details of these solutions, it's essential to understand why a digital ecosystem is vital for your business. Simply put, a digital ecosystem is a set of tools and software that interact seamlessly to improve efficiency, customer experience, and the profitability of your business.

POPINA for Customer Loyalty

Customer loyalty is essential for the long-term growth of your business.
Our application allows you to reward your customers' loyalty by offering them special benefits, promotions, and rewards. By encouraging customers to return, you increase your revenue.

 

Discover customer loyalty here

Use our solutions for reservation management

If you run a restaurant, café, or any place that takes reservations, we've got the perfect tool for you. Our online reservation system lets your customers easily book a table. This makes your customers happier, cuts down on reservation errors, and helps you manage your tables better.

 

Check out online reservations

Go for click and collect

Click and collect has become a must-have for online shopping. Let your customers order online and pick up their stuff in-store or at a collection point. It gives your customers a lot of flexibility, boosts your sales, and makes your business run smoother.

Discover click and collect

Schedule work efficiently

To manage your employees and work schedules, we've got just the thing. It makes it easy to create work schedules, manage time off, absences, overtime, and generally make staff management easier. Your business will run smoothly, with well-coordinated staff and efficient operations.

 

Discover the schedule management solution


By getting the most out of your digital ecosystem, you're setting your business up for success. This integration is more than just an investment; it's a smart move to optimize your business and thrive in your industry.

 

Join the Popina adventure!

Popina put to the test at the Rugby World Cup: how the touch-screen cash register is revolutionizing the experience for your fan customers? 

In the vibrant and intense world of rugby, between the spectacular tries and resounding tackles, the energy of the stadium is unmatched. But the excitement isn't limited to the field; it extends into every interaction, every transaction, in the bars and restaurants that welcome the fans. The Popina touchscreen cash register not only transforms your customers' experience but also redefines the art of management for you, the business owner.

The magic of Popina: unprecedented adaptability

Faced with the roar of the fans and the electrifying atmosphere of the matches, your ability to respond quickly and efficiently to a multitude of customer requests is put to the test. The dining options you offer must be as dynamic and diverse as the game on the field.

 

And that's precisely where Popina fits into the exciting world of rugby!

 

Popina isn't just a simple touchscreen cash register. It's a truly integrated system designed to optimize restaurant and business operations, with a specific goal: to save time, increase profits, and provide an exceptional customer experience. Every feature, from inventory management to customer data analysis, is designed to give you a competitive edge, allowing you to navigate the frenetic pace of match nights with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

 

Long lines, order errors, and unsatisfied expectations are a thing of the past. The future is a transformed customer experience, where every interaction is as smooth as a perfect pass, every transaction as satisfying as a victorious try. And at the heart of this transformation, you'll find Popina: your ally, your strategic advantage.

 

Before kickoff, imagine the fans arriving at the stadium: the anticipatory thrill, the excitement of pre-match discussions. But before kickoff, maybe some are feeling a bit peckish? In a traditional setting, customers at snack bars – fast food places, for example – would find themselves stuck in long lines. With Popina, the wait is minimized. Its intuitive interface allows for quick transactions, streamlining the purchasing process: optimizing multiple order taking and express checkouts, sending orders to the kitchen, updating formulas and discount programs...

 

The match is in full swing: Comfortably seated in their favorite restaurants or bars, it's time to eat and drink. No need to move with the digital menu, which comes in the form of a QR Code, placed on the table and directly synchronized with the menu. With Popina, your fan customers order directly from their smartphones, without waiting for a server to be available, pay, and have their orders delivered to their seats. An effortless interaction so they don't miss any of the match.

 

After the Match: The end of the match often means a 3rd half with friends over a drink or a good meal. Your challenge? Managing the massive influx of customers.

 

Popina propels you into the digital age. Equipped with powerful and lightweight remote ordering devices, your servers are more mobile and efficient; they process orders live, and the orders are instantly sent to the kitchen. Service is accelerated, waiting times are reduced, and the turnover of your tables is optimized. Thanks to the integrated payment terminal, checkout is simplified, accepting all means of payment.

 

Popina, always a try ahead: Popina doesn't just make the fan experience easier; it gives businesses a major competitive advantage. Thanks to real-time data analysis, you can better manage your inventory, anticipate demand, and adjust your offers, ensuring your customers receive impeccable service for the next match.

 

Just like rugby, a mix of strategy, strength, and agility, Popina brings its own revolution to the world of point of sale. Let yourself be carried away by the electric atmosphere of the stadium, and let Popina take care of the rest.

 

With Popina, you're always on the winning side!

 

Join the Popina adventure

10 tips to optimize table turnover in your restaurant  

Mastering the table turnover rate is essential to maximize your restaurant's profits: accommodating as many customers as possible while ensuring an optimal level of service is THE major challenge to overcome to succeed in the 2023 summer season.

 

Calculating the average table turnover rate means dividing the number of seated customers by the number of available tables over a specific period. The turnover time of a table is the duration your customer spends in your restaurant, from arrival to departure. Of course, it's interesting to perform these calculations at different times of the day and on different days of the week!

 

Your challenge during peak hours? Serve as many customers as possible and therefore minimize the table occupancy time without making your customer feel rushed, as their satisfaction is your priority...

TIP 1: Focus on digital tools

With the Popina cash register, you'll be at the cutting edge of technology.

 

Imagine this: your servers are all equipped with remote ordering devices. An ultra-powerful, robust, and lightweight terminal would allow them to be mobile, more autonomous, and responsive, especially during peak hours! They would process orders in real-time, send them directly to the kitchen, the dishes would arrive faster, there would be less waiting, and the time spent at the table would be reduced. Order taking and payment would be done on the same terminal. The payment terminal would accept traditional and non-traditional payments: cash, chip and PIN cards, with or without signature, contactless, QR code...

 

The smoother and faster the process of welcoming, assigning tables, taking orders, and processing payments, the more you increase your table turnover. And what's more, your customers are satisfied!

TIP 2: Personalize your application

Thanks to the features of your Popina cash register, you can personalize everything according to your business and save time. Quick to deploy, intuitive, and customizable, the Popina application offers a basic functionality to which you can add many services according to your needs, whether you have a small or large restaurant space.

 

For example, you can choose to favorite the 3 most used payment methods by your customers to process payments faster. With the next order notification option, you save precious minutes in your service time: as soon as an order is cashed in and closed, a new blank order window automatically appears! Thanks to the on-the-fly option, you can manage customers with ultra-specific requests by adding personalized, non-parameterized comments: 'open calzone', 'no onion, no pepper'; without having to go to the kitchen personally. And finally, with the bill splitting, you allow your customers to pay for their own items or the entire bill with their preferred payment method.

 

Contact us

TIP 3: Digitize your menu

Offer a digital menu: as soon as your customers are seated, they have access to the menu and can calmly make their consumption choices, without waiting for a server to be available, without risk to their health: limiting contact points. The digital menu is an easy, fast, and secure tool: it comes in the form of a QR Code, placed on the table, and is directly synchronized with your menu. The customer simply scans the QR Code with their smartphone and that's it! No more friction with the server when the customer is in a hurry to order: they manage their time spent in your establishment independently.

 

The little extra? You can personalize the design of your menu, add quality photos, talk about the different services you offer... a great customer experience in perspective... To be shared, even overused (without moderation) on your social networks!

 

Contact us

TIP 4: Accept group reservations

Many restaurants prefer to work without reservations to avoid the potential loss caused by no-shows; but it is an unbeatable way to limit your customers' waiting time - and a security that many appreciate! Online reservations are also an excellent channel for building customer loyalty and collecting their consumption habits for tailored retargeting.

 

Making reservation taking easier allows you to enjoy invaluable time savings! No need for an employee to be dedicated to taking reservations, our commission-free online reservation module integrates with Google Widget. Depending on your constraints, you can configure the tool to maximize your revenue.

 

Discover octotable

TIP 5: Reinvent the layout of your tables according to your available space

Personalize your floor plan. With Popina, it's simple! You can easily exploit all the available space in your restaurant room and terrace, group tables according to reservation requests, and assign a dedicated server to them. Is your restaurant fully booked and you still want to add a temporary table for two people? No problem, it will disappear once the payment has been made.

 

A tip? Don't let two people sit at a table for 4, you never know if you'll need that table for a larger group of people.

TIP 6: Motivate your team to be even more responsive

Train your teams and prepare them to react correctly when a friction situation occurs with a customer. Unite them! The personal connection between the dining room and kitchen is inseparable.

 

Optimize their schedules without pulling your hair out! Our app will help you manage your employees more easily. Just configure the app according to your own criteria: enter the type of contract, vacations, days off, diplomas, level of responsibility, availability for each of your employees and create your schedules in one click! A change in the established schedule? Your employees are notified instantly. An undeniable time saver for changing work schedules, without knowing everyone's availability by heart.

TIP 7: Make it even more responsive

Optimize their schedules without pulling your hair out! Our app will help you manage your employees more easily. Just configure the app according to your own criteria: enter the type of contract, vacations, days off, diplomas, level of responsibility, availability for each of your employees and create your schedules in one click! A change in the established schedule? Your employees are notified instantly. An undeniable time saver for changing work schedules, without knowing everyone's availability by heart.

TIP 8: Equip your kitchen to serve your orders on time

You'll be able to handle any rush with the kitchen printer! Your order and preparation tickets will always be sent to the right place.

 

Join the Popina adventure

 TIP 9: Offer your customers payment at the table and streamline your service

No one escapes the digitalization of payment methods! And ultimately, whoever tries it, adopts it... Payment in a restaurant is a key step in your customer's experience. So, save time in service with our app!

 

Your customers can pay directly at the table by scanning their QRCode at the end of the meal via their mobile. They pay by credit card, can choose to split the bill between guests and leave a tip. The customer experience is improved: they no longer wait, no longer desperately try to catch the eye of a stressed waiter, there are no more queues at the counter to pay their bill, your customer feels free from the time spent in your restaurant and your table turnover is optimized.

 

Not to mention the digitalization of tips and the dematerialization of the receipt!

 

Discover here

TIP 10: Act in advance to minimize the number of customers who have booked but do not show up - without having canceled!

What can you do to anticipate this situation?

 

Limit your reservation slots.

 

Request a bank imprint during the online booking process, with a fixed 'deposit' amount that you choose according to the standing of your restaurant.

 

Send reminder SMS to confirm reservations, offering two link choices: confirm or cancel!

 

In conclusion: avoid negative reviews!

 

In summary, managing and optimizing table turnover is essential for the success and efficient operation of your restaurant. Using a touch-screen cash register like Popina offers you highly relevant levers for managing your tables, which saves time and allows you to focus on service, cuisine, and customer service. With Popina, you optimize your tables quickly and efficiently, you manage orders more precisely and you offer a better customer experience. You monitor your ratios and sales figures, you take into account customer preferences, you build loyalty and offer them a more pleasant dining experience: a varied menu, quality products, a well-kept setting, tailor-made attention, news on social networks...

 

And even if your customers come to spend a special moment in your establishment: 'time is money for everyone'! The points of friction are generally located during seating, order taking, waiting time for the dishes to come out, and the bill!

 

Waiting time is a key success factor for obtaining positive reviews on the time spent in your restaurant...and gaining new customers. That's why all our tips should be studied according to your type of restaurant.

 

Go here to request an online quote and optimize your table turnover!

How to boost summer traffic in your restaurant / bar this summer? 

The summer season has finally arrived, bringing with it long, sunny days, warmth, and of course, the desire to cool off on a terrace or indoors after long days at work or a great day of vacation! As a restaurant owner, now is the time to maximize your income by attracting additional customers on vacation. But how do you make sure your establishment is the trendy place where everyone wants to be this summer?

 

Here are some tips to transform your bar or restaurant into a true urban oasis!

1. Offer a unique experience: your terrace – the unmissable summer spot

Your terrace shouldn't just be a place to sit and eat/drink; it should be an extension of the experience you offer inside your establishment. So, focus on comfortable furnishings, neat decoration, and a warm atmosphere. Use lights to create a soft ambiance in the evening, offer a special menu for the terrace with refreshing cocktails and light dishes for the summer.

Read also: 6 tips for a busy terrace this summer

2. Maximize your online visibility

Maintaining a strong online presence is crucial to attract and retain your customers. It's no longer just passers-by who discover your establishment, but also Internet users browsing the web in search of their next culinary experience.

 

Use our online booking tool to make reservations easier for your customers and give them a sneak peek of what it's like to visit your place by showing off your menu. Potential customers can browse, see what you've got, and book a table in just a few clicks, all without leaving home. And don't forget to respond to customer reviews, whether they're good or bad.

 

With social media being so popular, your communication strategy needs to include Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. They're perfect for sharing tempting photos of your restaurant/bar, dishes, drinks, and the good times people have at your place. You want your customers to be excited about spending their next summer evening with you.

 

And let's not forget your website, your storefront. It's often the first thing potential customers see. Make sure it's up-to-date, easy to use, fast, and has great photos of your building and menu.

3. Offer fast and efficient service

One of the keys to having a busy restaurant/bar is offering fast and efficient service.

 

  • Equip your servers with mobile POS systems: they can take orders anywhere, inside or outside, and the orders go straight to the kitchen, which speeds things up.
  • Get the most out of your digital cash register software: everything's connected, so you can manage your inventory in real-time and avoid disappointing customers!
  • Digitize your menu: this makes it easy to update your offers instantly, gives your customers a better view, reduces paper use, and improves service efficiency.
  • Offer pay-at-the-table: your customers can pay right at their table without waiting for a server. They just scan a QR code with their smartphone at the end of their meal. It's convenient and super flexible: they can pay with their card, split the bill, and even leave a tip if they're happy with the service.

4. Offer special deals

Another way to attract customers is to offer special deals. This could be a happy hour early in the evening, discounts on certain drinks or dishes, kids' menus, or themed nights. With Popina, you can schedule everything in advance on your cash register software and focus on keeping your customers happy.

 

With our loyalty program, you can reward your regular customers and encourage them to keep coming back. From your dashboard, you can pick the loyalty system that works best for you: points for each visit or amount spent, a cashback system, using a points balance, a set discount rate, or even free products or special offers. You can customize your offers to fit your specific needs.

5. Make sure you have enough staff to handle the summer rush.

Organizing your team's work and schedule has never been easier. With our digital tool, you can create your staff's schedule without any hassle. Making changes is simple, and duplicating a schedule is a breeze. Your dashboard gives you an overview of your employees' punctuality (real-time tardiness or absences), wage costs, individual performance, and more. And if you manage multiple locations, you have a comparison feature. During the busy summer season, manage your human resources and react quickly to handle peak times by hiring temporary staff if needed.

 

Join the adventure! 

Choosing the right POS terminal with Payplug

Every new business needs a cash register. But what about payment terminals? With 1.4 billion card payments made in France in 2022, getting a POS terminal has become essential! But choosing from all the options isn't so simple. Today, we're shedding some light on the subject and telling you about the Payplug offer integrated with our Popina cash register software.

Take your time choosing your POS terminal:

When opening a business, choosing a POS terminal is often unavoidable, so be careful not to rush. You need to figure out what your needs are:

 

  • How often will you use your POS terminal?
  • Do you want a POS terminal with a built-in printer?
  • Which type of keypad do you prefer: numeric or touchscreen?
  • Is design important to you?
  • Do you want to be able to receive digital tips?
  • What payment methods do you want to accept on your POS terminal?

 

Every project is unique, so it's important to understand your needs beforehand when choosing a payment terminal. Also, keep in mind that this is a tool you'll be using every day, so it's essential to choose the right POS terminal to ensure secure, smooth, and efficient transactions.

Integration with Popina:

Payplug offers payment solutions for businesses and e-commerce sites that work perfectly with your Popina cash register. It's basically a payment module that lets you link all your transactions to a single account, whether they're in-store payments, online payments, or click and collect payments.

 

There are two types of Android payment terminals:

 

  • A classic model with a wired connection, featuring a keypad, screen, and integrated printer.
  • A more modern model with both Wi-Fi and wired connections, a full touchscreen, and an integrated printer.

 

The POS terminals are pre-configured upon arrival, allowing for quick installation and setup.

 

The terminals connect to your Popina software either via wired network or Wi-Fi. This connectivity allows for remote control and seamless transmission of orders without touching the terminal. This feature lets you directly display the amount on the POS terminal during payment and also offers the ability to process refunds by credit card.

 

Here's a closer look at your solution:

 

Secure and standardized tools 

The payment terminals are PCI PTS 5S. SRED certified and secured.
When processing payments, there's no room for error because the amount is automatically transmitted to the POS terminal.

 

A wide range of payment methods

The different models are compatible with a large number of payment methods, allowing you to target a larger customer base.

 

Go paperless with digital receipts
Starting August 1st, all receipts (credit card slips, paper receipts, gift vouchers, etc.) will no longer be automatically printed in stores across France. Thanks to the connection with our Popina till, you can easily offer to send receipts in digital format by email. For customers who still want a paper version, you can always print a receipt in just a few clicks from your till.

 

An intuitive back office to track your transactions

For daily monitoring, the solution gives you access to a platform that brings together all the payments made, whether they are payments related to direct purchases, online or click and collect.
Thanks to this portal, there is no need to collect data at the end of each day, everything is automatic, a real time saver for you!
Finally, you can find reports and accounting statements of your activity on your back office.

 

Lower transaction fees
Our offer provides you with more attractive transaction fees than average. Thanks to the multi-channel functionality, which allows you to link all your transactions, you'll save money by using a single payment system.

 

Hear from one of our clients 

Discover the feedback from our customer at O'mimi sushi, who chose a Payplug POS terminal connected to their Popina till when opening their establishment.

 

Contact us 

 

As you can see, choosing a payment terminal depends on your project, so it's important to understand your needs to find the tool that best suits your business.

 

Our sales team is available to assist you with any requests.

6 tips for a packed patio this summer  

What if setting up and organizing your patio this summer could help you earn a lot more money? Proof? Adding an outdoor patio to your restaurant in the summer can increase your gross profit by 65%, depending on how much you invest in it (source: ideesdefrance.fr). So, investing 200,000 euros in an outdoor dining area could generate a gross profit of 500,000 euros…

 

So, what are the benefits of having a patio when you own a restaurant?

 

  • Let your customers enjoy the nice summer weather while eating their meals in the sun.
  • Increase your seating capacity and the number of seats.
  • Attract a different clientele from those who prefer to eat inside & stand out from your competition.
  • Create a relaxing, friendly, and festive atmosphere: you can add outdoor decorations, lighting, and music to create a pleasant and relaxed vibe.

 

So, check out all our tips in this article to get your patio ready for this summer!

#1 Create an attractive space

Lighting that's right for the evening, a chance to be out of the sun for those who want it, nice decorations (cushions, candles, plants, etc.), music that's chill, effective protection against mosquitoes with natural products, free Wi-Fi... Think about every detail so your customers have a great experience at your place.

 

Of course, such a peaceful (or party!) haven shouldn't be a secret. Share photos on all your channels: social media, website, different online directories... Make new customers dream and share the positive reviews from your regulars.

#2 Offer a table reservation module

We know from experience that it takes much longer to take a reservation by phone than online. Often, you have to call several times to get someone on the line. Young people don't like to call; there are even mishaps: the server misspelled your name and can't find you on the reservation list, it's busy and your staff is less friendly on the phone…

 

In short, making it easier to book allows you to save valuable time, which you can then use to serve your customers! No need for an employee to be dedicated to taking reservations, no more slip-ups – check out our commission-free online booking module that integrates with Google Widget.   

 

Check out the module here

#3 Go for tableside payments and boost your table turnover

It's summer and your restaurant is packed! How do you speed up your service? Offer your customers tableside payments and save time with our app! Your customers can pay right at the table by scanning their QR code at the end of their meal using their mobile. They can pay by credit card, split the bill, and even leave a tip. This improves the customer experience: no more waiting, they feel free to enjoy their time in your restaurant without pressure.  

 

Discover here 

#4 Equip your servers with handheld devices

Super powerful, durable, and lightweight handheld devices that allow your staff to be mobile, more independent, and responsive; especially during peak hours – between the patio and indoors! Orders are processed in real-time and sent directly to the kitchen, so dishes are ready faster. Order taking and payment are done on the same device. The POS terminal accepts traditional and non-traditional payments: cash, chip and PIN cards, with or without signature, contactless, QR codes, etc.  

 

Discover your handheld device here 

#5 Encourage digital tipping, leading to more attractive compensation for your servers

In summer, it's all about sunshine, warmth, a summer vibe, and vacations! Customers are more likely to tip when they're happy with the service! Contactless payments and mobile payment apps are increasingly popular. Customers often prefer using their phones to pay for their meal rather than taking out their wallets and using cash (if they even have any!). Digital tips are therefore increasingly popular in the summer and give restaurant servers more attractive compensation.

 

Discover digital tipping

#6 Offer a 'special summer' menu

Fresh & seasonal products are what all customers want! When the sun is shining and it's hot, your customers expect freshness on their plates.

 

What are the top food trends in 2023? Plant-based options: products without animal proteins (to suit everyone's dietary habits); organic, local, and minimally processed products: less sugar, fat, salt, and fewer additives. But be careful! According to a Kantar study, 71% of French people associate the contents of their plates with pleasure; so you need to be inventive when creating your menu... Tasty food without sacrificing the healthy trend: customers are looking for homemade products, with real transparency regarding the quality and origin of the ingredients in their dishes.

 

The best part? A digital menu! This way, as soon as your customers are seated, they can access the menu and choose their dishes independently. The digital menu comes in the form of a QR code, placed on the table, synchronized with your menu.  

 

Contact us 

 

In conclusion, filling your restaurant's patio in the summer can be a great way to attract people to your establishment and increase your revenue. But be careful! Before you start setting up your patio, you need to get permission from the town hall to occupy the public space with your furniture. Also, make sure you respect pedestrians' rights by not blocking their passage and only using the space you're allowed. If you want to expand your patio or carry out work, remember to submit a special request to the town hall. Finally, don't forget that service on the patio requires special attention to food safety and parking!

Discover our online booking solution!

At Popina, we like to save you time with our different services. Today, we're highlighting our tool that makes your table reservations easier. Discover this 100% web-based solution that supports restaurant owners!

 

The solution

 

It allows you to get a commission-free booking module directly on your restaurant's website, as well as the ability to book from your establishment's Google listing.

 

The user experience

 

Thanks to this online system, your customers can book a spot or a table at any time of the day. Booking is simple: a calendar appears, the customer chooses their reservation date, time slot, and the number of guests.

 

As soon as a reservation is made, you can easily find it in a digital reservation book. After the reservation is confirmed, the customer receives a confirmation email or text message. You can also schedule a reminder text or email before their reservation so they don't forget.

 

The offers 

 

The package is commission-free and has no installation fees. The creation and customization of your booking system are included, and you also benefit from features such as the ability to add a pre-payment via PayPal or Stripe or a credit card imprint at the time of the customer's reservation to protect you against no-shows. To help you track your reservations, you have a back office that groups all your reserved tables through a digital interface of your floor plan.

 

The only options with additional fees are sending text messages (€0.08/text) and creating your website.

 

The advantages of online booking in restaurants

 

Our new tool is a real everyday ally in your organization, it allows you to free up to 2 hours per day. Above all, it's a powerful ally that really saves you money by guaranteeing and reminding you of your reservations, minimizing no-shows, and especially by not paying any reservation fees.


The table reservation solution gives you the ability to track requests and reservations in real time, guaranteeing you an overall view of your activity. This helps you better organize your payroll, better manage your stock and thus limit food waste.

 

Interested? Contact us if you would like a demo!

Easily manage reservations for your hotel establishment with our PMS tool

Discover in detail our web solution designed to simplify the daily management of your hotel establishments.

Who can benefit from our PMS?

Our solution is aimed at anyone with accommodation facilities: hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, seasonal rentals, campsites, youth hostels and holiday camps, or even independent providers with atypical accommodation and many others!

What is the purpose of our integration?

Thanks to our Property Management System (PMS) software, you can organize and manage all your online room and rental reservations on a single platform.

 

Key features:

 

  • Real-time booking calendar: this feature allows you to view all your reservations in real time and in advance, and anticipate your future commercial offers.
  • Booking engine: thanks to this tool, you can sell your rooms directly on your website, via Google or social networks, and without commission!
  • Channel Manager: this tool will allow you to group and synchronize all your listings from the different online booking platforms in order to have a global visibility on them. This will simplify the organization and distribution of your rooms and rentals, and avoid overbooking!
  • PMS: This comprehensive section of the solution provides all the accounting and invoicing features you need. No more end-of-month struggles to calculate turnover, VAT, receipts, tourist taxes, or INSEE stats – the PMS generates them with a single click!
  • Customer profiles: For each reservation, you can view customer requests and easily add options (e.g., marriage proposal, special requests, massage booking, table reservation). You can also create customer profiles for your regulars and save their dietary preferences or room preferences. With this option, you can truly personalize the customer experience in your establishment(s).
  • Mailing: After taking reservations, you can send automatic confirmation emails. This feature also allows you to offer options to your customers (breakfast, late check-in, massage booking, etc.) and thus make additional sales.
  • Payment reliability: When taking reservations, you can require your customers to leave a credit card imprint or pay a deposit. With credit card verification and analysis, this option will protect you from no-shows.
  • Statistics: Our very comprehensive tool also allows you to get statistics and view your number of reservations and additional sales each month, so you can take sales actions based on needs.

Our Hotel software with Popina POS: 

The connection between Popina POS and the PMS is very simple:

 

  • Need to cash in a purchase? Do it on the Popina POS.
  • Need to add an option to a stay? Do it on your PMS.
  • Need to settle a stay? Your customer pays for their night(s), options, tourist taxes, and all their purchases during their stay, all directly at the desk!

 

To sum up, our Hotel Software is a multi-management tool for your hotel that organizes everything from the first contact with your customer to check-out! A Channel Manager that manages all your reservations and offers in real time. A Booking Engine that simplifies your reservations and automates your availability on your site. Whether you run a small establishment or a hotel chain, you can benefit from it and save time and money without extra work.

 

If you own one or more hotels and are interested in our solution, don't hesitate to contact our sales team!

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The table payment solution that boosts your profitability and customer satisfaction

At Popina, we're passionate about making your life as a restaurant owner easier, and we know your everyday challenges inside out.

Your biggest challenge? Offering a quality service, while improving your operational efficiency and therefore your profits.

That's where our new WebApp comes in, saving you precious time by simplifying your payment process.

How does it work?

Thanks to our new WebApp, your customers can pay directly at the table by scanning their QR code at the end of their meal via their smartphone.

They can pay by credit card, meal vouchers or Apple Pay, choose to split the bill between guests or pay the entire amount, leave a tip and receive their receipt/invoice by email.

What are the advantages of paying at the table?

Your customer's experience is improved: your customer feels free about the time spent in your restaurant and your table turnover is optimized. Indeed, traditionally, the payment process for your customers can be tedious and time-consuming. Customers wait, sometimes desperately trying to catch the eye of a pressured waiter, have to wait for them to arrive with the payment terminal, enter their PIN codes and wait for validation. All this takes time and can cause agitation among customers who are impatient to leave.

  • Fewer mistakes when ordering and paying: Your customers can see their order and add extra dishes or drinks. Staff errors when entering amounts and managing devices are reduced, ensuring accurate payments.
  • Faster table turnover: Your servers can focus on keeping customers happy instead of processing payments, saving time and boosting efficiency. Plus, with faster table turnover, you can welcome more customers and increase your revenue.
  • Easier inventory management: Sales data is also automatically recorded by the app, making it easier to manage your finances and inventory.

Integration with the Popina cash register

Like our many Popina cash register integrations, it will be installed and integrated directly by our technical service on your cash register. From there, you can print your receipts with the QR code to scan.

Tables paid via your integration will disappear once the payment is made and will be directly classified in the paid tickets. Easy, right?

You too, adopt the payment at the table for your restaurant!
Book an appointment with our sales department to find out more!

Contact us

In short, why should you adopt the payment at the table system? You, a restaurant owner, always looking for ways to improve your customer service, this electronic payment solution will boost your productivity!

Your customers can easily pay all or part of their bill via their smartphone: the WebApp supports payments by credit card, Apple Pay, and restaurant vouchers, without waiting for a server to bring the check.

Your customers can also choose to add a tip to their payment, preventing misunderstandings or errors with cash payments.

By speeding up customer flow, your table turnover is optimized, as well as your customer satisfaction. You get detailed transaction reports in just a few clicks for better financial management.

Our WebApp is a complete digital payment solution that offers the simplicity of paying the bill from your smartphone, without having to wait for a server to validate or go to the checkout.

Your new online scheduling and time tracking solution!

Modern, performance-oriented companies are definitely turning to online time clocks to maximize their productivity, ensure optimal and efficient management of their employees' working time, and collect accurate data on their actual work.

 

The Holy Grail: a complete and verified digital version of employee schedules, leave, and absences. Better management of working time for employees who are happy in their jobs!

 

So, got a team to manage? Looking for a time clock? Discover our new tool that will change your life! This comprehensive software will make your daily life easier by providing valuable assistance with organizing your schedules and tracking your employees' hours, no matter your industry!

 

Check out our online time clock software

The solution in a nutshell

Available on iOS or Android, this tool consists of 2 apps and 1 back-office website for managers. You can use it to schedule and manage one or more establishments. Fully customizable, the two features can be used simultaneously, but it's also possible to use the scheduling management alone, without the time clock system.

 

For each employee, you can find their personal and contractual information centralized directly in your back office. At the end of an employee's contract, their profile data can be manually archived for easy retrieval if they return (e.g., as an extra).

 

Directly from their mobile app, employees can send you documents for their contract, indicate their availability, request time off, and simply view their schedule.

 

Finally, every month, access an accounting report that compiles all the information needed to prepare payroll.

 

In short, whatever the size of your company, an ergonomic and intuitive online / virtual time clock solution improves your management process and employee tracking. In just a few clicks, summarize the hours worked by your employees, receive accurate activity reports, and refine your HR strategy by having a broader view of the performance of each of your staff members.

Say goodbye to the daily scheduling headache!

An essential point that will simplify your organization and save you valuable time each week: creating schedules!

 

From your back office, you can easily create schedules thanks to a user-friendly and easy-to-use interface. Simply record the schedules and unavailability of each of your employees to develop a schedule that takes into account the various constraints.

 

Each week, you can easily duplicate your schedules to renew and modify them. You can also choose to create a schedule per department (e.g., service department, kitchen department, cashier, etc.).

 

What about the employee side? Your employees can easily follow their schedule from the mobile app they have access to. They receive a notification each time a schedule is published, and when changes are made.

Your new 3.0 time clock!

This feature allows you to track your teams' hours with or without an internet connection. You can choose to provide a dedicated tablet for your time clock or do everything from a single iPad.

 

Once again, this tool is fully customizable. You can choose to have your employees clock in at the beginning and end of each day, but it's also possible to require them to clock in during breaks.

 

Regarding clocking methods, there are 3 options that can be combined or not:

Clocking by PIN code: this option is mandatory for each clocking. During their identification, employees simply enter a personal PIN code to indicate their arrival.

To this can be added:
Clocking by photo: employees clock in on the tablet by taking a photo of themselves to validate their identity.

Clocking by signature: to reinforce the clocking, the signature helps to further secure the employee's identity.

 

It is possible to monitor your employees' clocking remotely; if an oversight is noticed, you will be automatically informed by a notification. This way, you can directly discuss the reasons for their absence with the employee concerned, or clock in for them if they forgot to do so.

 

In short, as you can see, this new solution is a considerable time saver. So free up your time to focus on what's essential!

 

To learn more, it's right here

Popina got a makeover: the story behind this identity change

If you've been following us for a while, you couldn't have missed it. Popina has had a makeover: website, stands, clothing, goodies, overall communication... the identity has radically changed. Why change identity? What were the thought and creation processes? What's next for Popina? New look for a new life, we reveal all the reasons for this 360° turn 😉. Zoom in on our history, our desires, our needs, our inspirations, and the major changes that you may/will have noticed.

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I want to jump into the Popina adventure too!

The graphic history of Popina

Let's rewind to the beginning: Popina was born in 2013. "Natural" green was the main color, our customers were mostly restaurant owners, and the team consisted of four people in a 30 m² apartment. We're exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea! Back then, the identity was created by one of Popina's founders, inspired by the trends of the time. Our vision? A cold, minimalist visual identity for a modern and efficient tool. Our mantra? Popina adapts to your needs, not the other way around. So, the chosen green/white colors are reassuring, technical, (almost) sterile. We wanted our visual identity to "disappear" in favor of those of our restaurant clients. The logo, meanwhile, was designed to reflect their establishments. Minimalist, it's a typographic logo (with a twist on the dot of the "o") that represents a plate and a glass seen from above.

2019, revamp of the showcase site

Fast forward a bit: 2019, Popina is growing, and its services are expanding. The internet is changing, so we're adapting to all these developments by developing a new site. We started with the existing website to modernize it, and we extracted a few keywords to better tell our story. The showcase site has been redone, but overall, the visual identity remains. Illustrations are added and punctuate the pages to accentuate the storytelling*. The tone is lighter and reinforces the closeness we want to convey to our customers. *narration

State of affairs at Popina

4 years later: 2023, Popina in numbers.

Over 5,000 customers, 40 employees, two offices (Paris and Barcelona), 5 trade shows/year, 11 new versions of the application, 4.5 stars on the App Store, and 1,500 games of pool later... it's clear that Popina is evolving fast!

It's time to completely rethink our identity to communicate differently. Without disowning our old identities, this change reflects a desire to better match today's image and the one we want to project. Popina is evolving in a constantly changing digital world. We started with a single product, but now we offer our customers more than thirty connected products, services, and accessories. Checkout, HACCP hygiene, hotel PMS, table payment or even, digital tipping... so many features that can help you manage your business and that needed to be represented. The identity redesign process is launched!

Brainstorming & Brief

No redesign is possible without a brief and graphic research. And to begin with, we had to define who we are.

Step 1: Popina, what is it?

For highlight our core values ; we asked our employees. Popina, what does it mean to you in a few words? What do we do? What's our story? Who are we talking to? For this project, we selected 17 Popina employees from the company's various departments. The profiles were chosen to represent Popina as a whole (people with longer tenure and others who were hired more recently). What came out of it helped us to better target our needs and desires. Popina is a company in the tech**sector, young, family-oriented, dynamic and serious, offering digital services that are constantly evolving. Now we need to create a custom-made identity for it. **technology

Step 2: Establishing the brief

Our main focus was on thegraphic identity (new typography, logo modernization, color research), so that a new general visual identity, a website redesign, and associated global communication would follow. For Popina, we wanted above all to affirm our positioning, communicate our values, showcase our innovation, from the app to the development of our website. All thanks to a dynamic, modern and serious visual identity.

Step 3: Our inspirations & graphic issues

In our inspirations, several keywords emerged: "streetwear", "sport", "tech/digital" "pop", "neo"... Concepts that had to be transformed graphically and associated with our issues, so that everything works together. And by "issues" we mean the uses, variations, and supports where our visual identity will have to exist. Imagine a bright red, a choppy typography, angular pictograms... All these graphic elements scream the same thing: "attention, danger". So many parameters to take into account when establishing a new graphic identity. We reviewed our old visual identity. What do we keep as is? What do we modernize, upgrade? What do we rework? In short: a little old, a little new, for a joyful visual mix.

The logo

At Popina, we really like our typographic logo. It represents what we are and how we started. We wanted to keep it simple, minimalist and effective. Especially since our customers, partners and employees know it well. Modernize yes, but without completely transforming ourselves, we wanted to be recognized.

The font

No secrets here, until now, we had opted for Myriad Pro. And if you're not familiar with its name, it's a "one-size-fits-all" font. A "clear and perfectly neutral font", if we even believe its Wikipedia page. Not ideal when you want to assert yourself: this will be our first project!

The colors

And what about the choice of colors? It's crucial! They must work as well on print as on the web, they must stand out from our competitors, they must be seen from afar at trade shows, they must not change depending on the printing qualities... The ideas are launched, after having determined the values of the company, established the brief and carried out the graphic watch (while keeping in mind our problems); it is our (incredible) team of graphic designers who took over.

The changes to the visual identity

It's here, it's beautiful, you know it, you're browsing it. Welcome to our new website imprinted with our new visual identity! So what does Popina 2.3 look like? Popina website

An updated logo…

…That still feels familiar. We're not just talking to restaurant owners or the hospitality sector anymore*. Now, we can equip all kinds of businesses and want to represent them all. The logo is bolder. By adding the point on the "o" in the logo, we've made it more dynamic, it looks like it's moving. The idea was to use it as much as possible, to adapt it endlessly, to play with it like a pattern, like on our office window film, for example. We played with the logo, with its transparency. It lets light into some rooms and dims others. Our inspiration: street art. Arrow, rocket, adaptability – that's the energy we want to convey. By pushing the concept further, we could even evoke the future of Popina, the ever-present innovation in our business, and our ambitions for the future. 🚀

A unique typography

The typography we use for the logo is SOFIA PRO, a sans-serif font designed by Olivier Gourvat. Straightforward and pragmatic, it brings modernity to the logo without changing its foundations. For the rest of our materials, we opted for SPACE GROTESK. Like Sofia Pro, it's a sans-serif, unique font designed by Florian Karsten in 2018. With its "monospace" characters, it reminds us of the digital, tech world. We wanted it to be reassuring, bold, yet adaptable and accessible. With both fonts, we maintain a spirit of closeness!

Striking colors

The colors have been rethought. Bye-bye "natural" green. Hello electric blue! We opted for a "catchy" main color that works well alone or in combination with black and beige, our secondary colors. Blue is dynamic and inspires confidence and serenity. Black is direct and reassuring. Beige is our "stable" color, the neutral color that soothes the eye.

New identity, for endless possibilities

The website redesign was essential to explain our many products and services. We hope you'll get used to these navigation changes and, more generally, to this new identity that's taking shape throughout the pages. On the trade showside, our stands are now blue & wood, for more warmth and friendliness! The graphic charter is used in every nook and cranny. The arrow on the floor echoes the point of our logo, and the goodies are marked "Popina." We even had a cart made with skateboard wheels that moves as we want. It evokes our mobility and the "street" side that we liked so much. Finally, because our employees are our best ambassadors, we've designed a unisex streetwear line for them in organic cotton. Sweatshirts and t-shirts, the collection is beige to soften the blue of the stands. At Popina, seriousness, comfort & chill come first! We can't wait to read or hear your reactions, and more surprises are coming. Popina new version, mission accomplished? Convinced by our new identity? Want to know (even) more about Popina?

Discover Popina in 12 questions