Loetje X unTill: a reliable partnership for 9 years
What began in 1977 as Café Loetje, a billiards café in Amsterdam, has evolved into 36 successful restaurants across the Netherlands. Apart from the renowned steak in gravy, Loetje attributes its success to the recognisable and familiar ambiance that guests consistently experience during their visits. This is also the case in the city of Breda, where the 20th Loetje location is established.
Creating the best hospitality experience
For over 45 years, Loetje has been serving the finest steak with real passion. That's what guests taste and experience. Regardless of the location, every Loetje restaurant provides guests with a familiar experience, fostering repeat visits. ‘With unTill, we’ve found a highly reliable solution for our POS system. This allows our staff to optimally focus on welcoming our guests. unTill provides a quality POS system, lightening the workload and supporting staff in their daily tasks. This, in turn, contributes to overall job satisfaction’, says Marouane el Hayani, Manager ICT at Restaurant Company Europe.
Why unTill?
Loetje has been working with unTill since 2015 (via Adnamics, the reseller for central Netherlands). Marouane explains, ‘At that time, unTill was chosen for its high-quality POS software and the wide range of API integrations. What's great about working with unTill is the company's openness to new developments and its ability to implement them quickly. Loetje's approach is often slightly different from the average hospitality business. Due to our large number of establishments, we sometimes take the lead in innovation and come up with new insights. We perceive unTill as a very collaborative company, always taking these developments and ideas seriously.’
Convenient tools
Jord Kierkels, location manager at Loetje Breda, appreciates the system's convenient features: ‘I find the messaging module very useful. Additionally, the daily inventory feature ensures that dishes that are no longer available aren't ordered. If we only have 4 roast beef carpaccio left, I put that into the system. Automation eliminates the need for communication because the 4 carpaccios are visible on every handheld.’
‘It's also very convenient that I can add a name to a table. I name the table 18:30 and the waiter knows that they need that table at 18:30 due to a reservation. Moreover, it's nice that we can adjust the order based on the popularity of drinks or dishes. Popular items are placed at the front and less popular ones at the back. All these aspects contribute to the overall process.’
Photo: Jord Kierkels, location manager at Loetje Breda
Integrations
The result of working with unTill is evident in the efficiency of Loetje's operations. Through API integrations, various systems such as Apicbase and DineTime seamlessly connect with the POS system. Jord confirms, ‘All the systems communicate with each other flawlessly, hats off!’
Efficiency with handheld devices
To enhance efficiency, handheld devices were introduced to all Loetje locations two years ago. Employees always have a combined ordering and payment device on hand, saving time and making payments more efficient. This not only benefits employees but also provides excellent service to guests. Jord states, ‘The new combined handhelds save us a lot of time.’
Loetje's vision
Loetje stays current and adapts continuously to fulfill the wishes and needs of their guests. One example is the launch of the plant-based 'Steak 0.0' in 2022. Loetje is for everyone, and as steak is an important part of the concept, they want to make that experience available for each guest. The option to order drinks via QR codes is another example, showcasing their commitment to continuously enhancing the guest experience in various aspects.
Photographer: Dick van der Veer
