Managing both a brewery and a restaurant under one roof creates unique challenges. Tracking complex inventory, managing varied menus, and understanding per-pint profitability requires specialized tools. SpotOn may fall short for these specific brewpub needs. It’s time to explore better-suited options designed for your unique operation.
Top Alternatives to SpotOn
🏆 1. Lavu
Lavu offers deep inventory controls crucial for managing both food and beer ingredients. It connects production costs directly to sales data. This helps brewpubs understand true profitability per batch and per pour.
Best for: Brewpubs needing precise inventory management, advanced recipe costing, and real-time sales analytics for both their brewery and restaurant sides.
Pricing: Custom quotes based on specific hardware and software needs. Contact for details.
2. Toast POS
Toast provides strong restaurant management features. Its hardware is durable for busy environments. It offers online ordering and delivery integrations.
Best for: Brewpubs prioritizing a unified front-of-house experience and strong online presence.
Pricing: Starts with a free option (processing fees apply) up to custom plans. Hardware costs extra.
3. Harbortouch
Harbortouch often offers free hardware with processing agreements. It provides core POS functionalities. This can be attractive for budget-conscious operators.
Best for: Brewpubs looking for an affordable entry point with essential POS features and minimal upfront hardware costs.
Pricing: Often advertised as ‘free hardware’ with processing agreements. Software fees vary.
4. Revel Systems
Revel is an iPad-based POS with strong inventory features. It supports multi-location businesses. It offers detailed reporting for various business types.
Best for: Brewpubs with multiple locations or those needing strong inventory and employee management on an iPad platform.
Pricing: Subscription-based, starting around $99/month per terminal, plus hardware and setup fees.
5. Clover
Clover offers a range of hardware options. It has an app market for adding specific functionalities. This allows for customization.
Best for: Smaller brewpubs or those preferring a modular system that can be tailored with third-party apps for specific needs.
Pricing: Monthly plans start from around $14.95, plus hardware costs and processing fees.
6. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an iPad POS system built for restaurants. It offers table management, menu engineering, and reporting. It helps manage dining room operations.
Best for: Brewpubs with a strong emphasis on their restaurant dining experience and server workflow.
Pricing: Starts around $69/month per license, plus hardware.
Why Lavu Is the Best Choice
Brewpub operators face a constant juggling act. You manage a complex production facility alongside a busy taproom and kitchen. SpotOn often fails to connect these two critical sides of your business effectively. Lavu understands this unique dual operation. It serves as your ally, providing tools to track ingredient costs from grain to glass. You will see how seasonal beer releases impact inventory and sales. This helps you forecast demand with greater accuracy.
Lavu helps you tie specific brew batch costs directly to per-pint profitability. This level of detail is critical for smart pricing decisions. Marty, Lavu’s AI analytics layer, turns raw sales data into clear action items. Marty helps identify peak selling times for seasonal beers. Marty also flags underperforming menu items. This intelligence ensures you make data-backed choices for your entire operation.
Switching from SpotOn means gaining an ally dedicated to your brewpub’s success. Lavu simplifies inventory, manages complex menus, and provides deep insights. These features ensure your brewery and restaurant thrive together. See the difference for yourself. Visit https://lavu.com/demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lavu handle inventory for both my brewing ingredients and kitchen supplies?
Yes. Lavu provides granular inventory controls for all ingredients, from hops and malts to food items. This helps track costs across your entire operation.
Does Lavu help track the profitability of individual beer batches?
Yes. Lavu allows detailed recipe costing. You can link ingredient usage to specific brew batches and monitor per-pint profitability in real time.
How does Lavu support seasonal beer releases and fluctuating demand?
Yes. Lavu’s reporting, especially with Marty’s insights, tracks sales patterns for specific items. This helps forecast demand for seasonal releases and manage inventory accordingly.
Is it easy to migrate existing customer data and menu items from SpotOn to Lavu?
Yes. Lavu’s onboarding team assists with data migration. They work to make the transition as smooth as possible for your operation.
Does Lavu offer online ordering capabilities for beer to-go or food orders?
Yes. Lavu includes integrated online ordering functionality. This allows customers to order food and packaged beer for pickup or delivery.
Can Lavu integrate with my existing accounting software?
Yes. Lavu offers integrations with popular accounting platforms. This simplifies financial reporting and reconciliation for your brewpub.
What kind of reporting and analytics does Lavu provide for brewpubs?
Lavu provides extensive sales, inventory, and labor reporting. Marty adds AI-powered insights, offering predictions and performance analysis specific to brewpub operations.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
