In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, self-service beer taps continue to be a significant trend for bars, restaurants and even craft breweries. This innovative technology allows customers to pour their own pints using automated systems that track consumption by the ounce. These systems reduce the need for staff interaction during the beer pouring process, allowing bartenders and servers to focus on other service aspects, such as customer engagement and upselling food items. Additionally, patrons enjoy the freedom to pour as much or as little as they want, experimenting with different beer types without committing to a full glass. Depending on the beer drinker, this flexibility often leads to higher customer satisfaction and an interactive, engaging experience.
By charging customers by the ounce, establishments can capitalize on precise portion control and reduce the wastage associated with traditional pouring methods. This pricing model also encourages patrons to sample a wider range of offerings, which can lead to increased sales per visit. With digital tracking features, self-service beer taps simplify inventory management. These systems provide real-time data on which beers are most popular and how quickly kegs are being depleted, allowing for more accurate stock control and order forecasting. This level of analytics can help establishments avoid overstocking or running out of popular brews, ensuring a consistently fresh and diverse selection for customers.
Self-service beer taps not only enhance the customer experience but also provide unique marketing opportunities. The taps themselves can be equipped with digital screens that display information about the beer being poured, such as origin, flavor profiles and recommended food pairings. This not only educates consumers but also enhances their engagement with the product. Furthermore, establishments can use data collected from these systems to tailor marketing strategies, personalize promotions and build customer loyalty programs based on individual preferences.
There are lots of opportunities with self-pour draft systems. To meet those, there are a variety of brands willing to supply systems to bars, restaurants and breweries — from iPourIt and PourMyBeer to Drink Command and GS Draft System Solutions. There also companies focused on setting up franchises for these self-serve beer bars. For example, Tapster, which uses PourMyBeer tech, just announced the launch of franchise opportunities to bring passionate beer enthusiasts and entrepreneurs a viable and simplified entrance to bar ownership. From the press release:
“With Tapster cards in hand, our guests can be their own bartender and are free to sample at their own pace from over 40 beverages on tap — there’s virtually no waiting, you’re on your time at Tapster,” said Tapster Founder and CEO Roman Maliszewski, who opened the first Tapster in 2017 in Chicago. “Our franchise opportunity represents more than a business venture; it’s an invitation to join us in reshaping the future of how we socially drink, one pour at a time.”
Self-service beer taps represent a forward-thinking approach to beverage service, providing numerous benefits to businesses and patrons alike. By improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience and leveraging advanced technology, these systems are setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. With increased growth in the craft beer and self-service industries, Tapster is set to open its fifth U.S. tasting room this May in the West Main Tower III Building at 193 106th Ave. NE in Bellevue, Washington. The new self-pour bar is the brand’s second location in the Seattle market, and among 10-plus tasting rooms that Tapster plans to open or have in development within the next three to five years.
According to the press release: Tapster first entered the Seattle market in 2021 with its tasting room in South Lake Union and has since built a solid following with year-over-year growth and double-digit sales increases.
What’s with this franchise model?
In addition to Seattle, Tapster’s tasting room franchise pitch is really focused on building its current operational markets — including Chicago, Cleveland and Philadelphia — and beyond to a presence in most major U.S. cities within the next 10 years. The total investment to open a Tapster franchise is $400,000 to $1,200,000, including a $40,000 franchise fee.
“Our continued growth is a testament to the strength of the Tapster business model,” Maliszewski added. “Over the past seven years, we’ve developed Tapster in very different markets across the U.S. – all seeing warm welcomes and becoming enveloped within the fabric of their local communities. Our goal is for our brand to be as recognizable as Starbucks, cultivating a welcoming environment for friends, families, and colleagues to hang out at their leisure.”
To assist in developing the tasting room franchise opportunity and managing future growth, Maliszewski teamed with Community Franchise Group, which specializes in transforming emerging franchises into national brands. The group has a collective 100-plus years of experience scaling national franchise brands such as Orange Theory Fitness, Unity Rd., Maui Wowi, Cold Stone Creamery, Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Kahala Brands / MTY Food Group portfolio, Play It Again Sports, Plato’s Closet, Once Upon A Child, Retro Fitness, Floyd’s 99 Barbershop and Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.
Learn more about Tapster, its products and franchise opportunities right over here.
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