Brewpub operators struggle with managing brewing and restaurant service. Tracking brew batch costs to per-pint profitability is difficult. Seasonal beer releases create unpredictable demand. This impacts inventory and staffing. The right POS system changes everything. It drives efficiency, tracks profit, and improves customer experience. We compare SpotOn and Lavu, two top systems. This guide helps brewpub owners choose the best ally for 2026.
Quick Verdict: Lavu
Lavu gives deeper inventory control and better reporting for brewpub operations. It tracks brewing costs and manages dual revenue streams.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lavu | SpotOn | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory Management (Beer & Food) | Lavu offers deep inventory control. It tracks ingredients to finished product. It supports food and beer recipe management. It gives detailed COGS reports, with Marty’s insights. | SpotOn offers standard inventory. It tracks food items and basic beer stock. It is less detailed for brewing ingredients. | Lavu |
| Taproom & Draft Management | Lavu offers dedicated taproom features. It manages tap lines, keg inventory, and growler/crowler sales. It provides custom flight modifiers. | SpotOn offers standard bar features. It manages taps as menu items. It lacks specific keg tracking or flight builders. | Lavu |
| Kitchen Operations & KDS | Lavu provides a strong KDS. It offers customizable routing. It supports complex food menus. It allows quick order changes. | SpotOn offers a capable KDS. It handles varied kitchen orders. It works for multi-station kitchens. | Tie |
| Online Ordering & Loyalty | Lavu offers integrated online ordering. It provides a customizable loyalty program. It supports gift cards. | SpotOn offers a strong online ordering platform. It has built-in loyalty programs and marketing tools. | SpotOn |
| Reporting & Analytics | Lavu provides extensive reporting. Marty offers AI-driven insights on sales trends, inventory, and cost improvements. Specific brew metrics are available. | SpotOn offers good standard reporting. It provides sales and labor reports. It focuses less on specific brewpub COGS or predictive analytics. | Lavu |
| Employee Management | Lavu includes an integrated time clock. It offers basic scheduling. Payroll integrations are available. | SpotOn offers a full employee management suite. It includes scheduling, time clock, and tip distribution. It has strong payroll integration. | SpotOn |
| Payments & Hardware | Lavu is processor-agnostic. It supports various hardware. It offers flexible payment options. | SpotOn uses proprietary payment processing. It offers its own hardware. It provides a unified ecosystem. | Tie |
| Multi-Location Management | Lavu offers centralized management for multiple locations. It provides consolidated reporting. | SpotOn offers strong multi-location features. It provides unified menu and employee management across sites. | Tie |
Pricing Comparison
Lavu
Lavu offers subscription pricing. Plans vary by features and terminal count. It requires an initial hardware purchase. Lavu provides flexible payment processing. Operators choose their provider and often negotiate better rates.
SpotOn
SpotOn offers bundled pricing. This includes hardware, software, and payment processing. They use a ‘transparent pricing’ model. However, processing rates can be less flexible. They often have longer contracts.
A brewpub’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) depends on many factors. Lavu’s processor-agnostic approach can lower long-term payment processing fees. This is a significant operational cost. Brewpubs with high transaction volumes benefit from this flexibility. SpotOn’s bundled approach simplifies initial setup. However, it can lock operators into specific payment rates. Lavu often offers a better TCO over time for brewpubs prioritizing cost control and advanced features. Marty’s insights also reduce waste and improve inventory. This impacts the bottom line.
Use Case Analysis
A brewpub needs precise Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) tracking for both their rotating craft beers and a diverse gastropub menu.
Recommendation: Lavu
Lavu’s detailed inventory and recipe system calculates exact COGS. Marty’s analytics provide insights into ingredient costs and profitability per pint or plate.
A brewpub wants to quickly launch a new seasonal beer. They need to update menus, manage tap lines, and track the initial demand spikes effectively.
Recommendation: Lavu
Lavu’s taproom management allows fast menu updates and keg tracking. Marty helps forecast demand based on historical data for similar releases.
A growing brewpub chain plans to open two new locations next year. They need a system for easy multi-location menu and staff management.
Recommendation: SpotOn
SpotOn excels in multi-location management. Its system offers a unified approach to menus, employees, and reporting across venues. This simplifies expansion.
A brewpub relies heavily on customer loyalty and wants to run targeted marketing campaigns for beer club members and frequent diners.
Recommendation: SpotOn
SpotOn integrates strong loyalty programs and marketing tools. This allows personalized promotions and better customer engagement.
Overall Winner: Lavu
Lavu is the stronger ally for complex brewpub operations. Its deep inventory, production tracking, and powerful analytics address core brewpub pain points. SpotOn serves simpler taproom-focused businesses well. However, it lacks Lavu’s specific depth.
- Lavu tracks brewing ingredients and food items in detail.
- Marty, Lavu’s AI analytics, provides intelligence on brew costs and profitability.
- Lavu’s flexible payment processing allows better merchant rates.
- SpotOn’s integrated loyalty and marketing tools are strong.
- Lavu’s dedicated taproom and draft management features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lavu track my raw brewing ingredient inventory?
Yes. Lavu offers detailed inventory management. It tracks raw materials like hops and malt down to the unit.
Does SpotOn help manage seasonal beer releases?
No. SpotOn updates menus for new beers. It lacks specific production tracking or demand forecasting for seasonal releases.
Is there a way to integrate my brewing software with either POS?
Yes. Lavu offers open APIs for custom integrations with brewing software. SpotOn offers fewer direct integrations for specific brewing tools.
Can these systems handle both bar and table service in my brewpub?
Yes. Both Lavu and SpotOn provide features for quick bar service and full table management.
Which system offers better reporting on pour costs for my beers?
Yes, Lavu offers superior reporting for pour costs. Marty provides ingredient cost data, which helps calculate per-pint profitability.
Does either system help me understand my labor costs against sales?
Yes. Both systems provide labor reporting. They help analyze staff hours and costs against sales.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
