Resources and insights.

Summer may be coming to an end, but patio season isn't over yet

‍

There's something about the last month of summer.

‍

The weather is still warm enough to enjoy a meal outdoors, and guests know those opportunities are coming to an end. That means patios often stay busy right until the season changes.

‍

For restaurants, it's one last chance to maximize one of the busiest - and most profitable - times of the year.

‍

The challenge? 

‍

Serving more guests without slowing down the experience that keeps them coming back.

‍

Every extra minute matters

‍

When your patio is full, servers spend a surprising amount of time walking.

‍

Taking an order → Walking back to the POS → Returning to the table → Bringing the payment terminal → Walking back again

‍

Those extra trips might only take a minute or two, but across dozens of tables, they quickly become hours of lost productivity over the course of a week.

‍

During the final month of patio season, when every service counts, those minutes matter.

‍

Tableside ordering keeps your team where they're needed most & gives guests more control

‍

With Cluster’s Tableside Ordering, guests simply scan a QR code at the table and browse the menu directly from their own device, no app required.

‍

Once they are ready, they can place their order from the table. The order then syncs instantly with the POS and kitchen display, helping the team receive it quickly and keep service moving.

‍

The result is a smoother workflow for your team and a better and more convenient dining experience for your customers.

‍

Make the most of patio season while it lasts

‍

Patio season is one of the shortest and busiest times of the year.

‍

Every table served faster creates an opportunity to serve another guest before the weather changes.

‍

With Cluster's Tableside Ordering, your team can take orders and accept payments directly at the table, helping you deliver faster service without sacrificing hospitality.

Make every sunny day count.

‍

Book a personalized demo today!

More Than Pizza

‍

Some restaurants are remembered for what's on the menu. Others are remembered for how they make people feel.

‍

For Germano, owner of Cugini's Pizza, the dream was never simply to serve great food. From the very beginning, he wanted to create a place where neighbours could gather, families could reconnect and every customer would feel at home.

‍

"I wanted to create a family environment and bring the community together through food."

‍

Today, that philosophy has helped turn Cugini's into a neighbourhood institution where customers come not only for the pizza, but for the welcoming atmosphere they've come to know and love.

‍

A Team That Feels Like Family

‍

Walk into Cugini's and you'll notice something.

‍

The staff know each other. 

The kitchen moves with confidence. 

Customers are greeted like regulars.

‍

That isn't by accident.

‍

Many employees have been with Germano for years, helping create the consistency that guests have come to expect.

‍

"Our staff has been great. They've been with me for many years. Even the new staff coming in has been a really, really great help."

‍

That strong team culture has become just as important as the food itself.

‍

Keeping Operations Simple

‍

When your restaurant is busy, the last thing you want is technology slowing your team down. As the restaurant grew, Germano wanted a POS system that would be just as easy for longtime employees as it would be for new team members.

‍

That’s when Cluster came as the right fit.

‍

Rather than requiring extensive training, our POS was intuitive enough that both experienced employees and new hires could start using it with confidence.

‍

"It's very easy to operate for all of the staff, including the previous staff and the new staff."

‍

Everything in One Place

‍

Behind every smooth service is an owner keeping dozens of moving pieces under control.

‍

From inventory and orders to employee hours and sales reports, there are countless details to keep track of every day.

‍

Cluster gives Cugini’s one place to manage it all.

‍

"I can track all my orders, my inventory, my staff hours... it's really endless."

‍

Instead of juggling different systems, he can focus on running the restaurant.

‍

Why Customers Keep Coming Back

‍

Ask Germano what makes Cugini's different, and he doesn't start by talking about awards or business growth.

‍

He talks about values.

‍

"Fresh ingredients. Our mindset. The culture we've brought to the community. Doing the right thing by our clients."

‍

Those principles are reflected everywhere - from the imported Italian tomato sauce and fresh-cut ingredients highlighted on their menu to the warm, family-oriented experience guests have come to expect.

‍

It's this combination of authenticity, consistency and hospitality that has earned Cugini's a loyal following across Montreal's West Island.

‍

Looking Ahead

‍

His vision for the future is simple.

‍

"At some point, maybe having an extension of our business."

‍

With a loyal customer base, an experienced team and technology that scales alongside the business, Cugini's is well positioned for its next chapter.

‍

Supporting Restaurants That Put People First

‍

Every restaurant has a different story. At Cugini's, that story starts with family.

‍

We're grateful to Germano and the entire Cugini's team for welcoming us into their restaurant and sharing their story with us.

‍

It was a pleasure getting to know the people behind one of the West Island's favourite pizzerias, and we wish the team continued success as they write the next chapter of the Cugini's story. We're proud to be part of that journey!

‍

‍

‍

About Le Prospecteur

‍

Located in the heart of downtown Val-d'Or, Microbrasserie Le Prospecteur has been brewing its own craft beers since 2014. The business offers a complete experience with a restaurant, a shop, and on-site production. A true paradise for beer lovers!

‍

As the company expanded with a second location dedicated to production and canning, the team faced a familiar challenge for growing hospitality businesses: ensuring their operations could scale efficiently without compromising service quality. 

‍

A need for efficiency in a growth context

‍

Like many growing businesses, they explored alternative solutions that appeared promising on paper. But during the evaluation process, they realized something important:

‍

“We realized that after-sales support was very important for us.”

‍

While features and pricing matter, day-to-day reliability, responsiveness, and access to real support became increasingly important priorities for their team. 

‍

The turning point

‍

At one of the most critical moments in the process, uncertainty around implementation and communication created significant stress for the team.

‍

That experience forced them to step back and reconsider what mattered most in a technology partner. 

‍

Whey they returned to Cluster

‍

Despite their initial intention to switch solutions, one element remained consistent for the Prospecteur team: the quality of the relationship.

‍

“Even though we had said we were going to leave, you kept in touch. That was key.”

‍

That continued support and communication made a lasting impression. For the Prospecteur team, the decision ultimately came down to more than software functionality.

‍

They needed confidence that when challenges arose, they would have a reliable partner they could count on.

‍

That realization led them back to Cluster. 

‍

What matters most today

‍

Today, Le Prospecteur’s priorities are clear:

‍

• Stability
• Efficiency
• Attentive and personalized support

‍

“Stability, efficiency, and having after-sales support that remains as attentive and personalized as it is right now.”

‍

Conclusion

‍

Le Prospecteur’s experience highlights an important reality for hospitality businesses: choosing a POS system is about more than features alone.

‍

The real difference is felt in day-to-day operations through reliability, responsiveness, and the quality of support behind the technology.

‍

Sometimes, exploring other options doesn’t lead to leaving. It leads to a clearer understanding of what truly matters.

‍

Today, both Le Prospecteur locations trust Cluster to support their day-to-day operations.

‍

We’re proud to continue supporting the Le Prospecteur team and grateful for the trust they’ve placed in us once again. 

‍

‍

Nonnina is a family-run café in Lachine, Montreal, founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Massimo Cappellano. Inspired by limited local coffee options and named in tribute to his Italian grandmother, the café has grown from its roots in food trucks serving handmade ice cream and panini, into a neighbourhood favorite known for its homemade sandwiches, pastries, and gelatos.

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic–when Massimo had to operate with the help of family and friends–Nonnina became a community staple built on authenticity and warmth. In 2023, the café expanded to a larger space in the Lachine market, enabling it to welcome more customers and strengthen its reputation as both a family business and a local gathering spot.

Since late 2023, Nonnina has used DataCandy to power its gift card program, giving customers a simple and convenient way to share the café experience with friends and family. Gift cards not only provide an additional revenue stream, but also help attract new visitors who may not have otherwise discovered the café. For a business built on community and hospitality, gift cards extend that spirit by turning loyal guests into brand ambassadors, bringing others into the fold.

At the same time, Nonnina joined the Cluster family. As its loyal customer base grew and lunch rushes became the new norm, the café recognized the need to adapt. By switching to Cluster POS, Nonnina can now serve its community more efficiently. With an intuitive, user-friendly interface and seamless integrations, the staff stay organized and on top of every rush, supported by Cluster’s technology.

Cluster POS and DataCandy work hand in hand to deliver a powerful customer engagement experience, right at the point of sale. Through this seamless integration, restaurants like Nonnina can effortlessly sell and redeem gift cards, top up balances, and even extend usage across multiple locations, directly from their Cluster POS system. Customers enjoy added convenience with support for Apple and Google wallets, while merchants gain real-time insights through an intuitive dashboard. With robust support, simple setup, and barcode or swiper add-ons, Cluster + DataCandy transform a typical check-out process into gift card and loyalty-building opportunities.

The Challenge

For Nonnina, the challenge was finding new ways to extend its sense of community beyond the café’s walls and bring more people into the fold, while adopting technologies that could help the business scale smoothly. Although the restaurant had built a loyal following, owner Massimo Cappellano wanted a tool that could both strengthen relationships with existing customers and attract new ones, without compromising speed and efficiency behind the counter.

In 2023, Massimo began working with both Cluster and Data Candy — utilizing Cluster as the restaurant’s point-of-sales software, and Data Candy to create Nonnina gift cards. Strong POS technology and gift cards offered the perfect solution for a business looking to scale and gain a loyal customer base.This meant a simple, modern, way for regulars to share their love of Nonnina with friends and family, while also creating an additional revenue stream to support the café’s continued growth. The need to balance community connection with sustainable expansion ultimately led Nonnina to partner with DataCandy and Cluster.

The Results

Since launching its DataCandy-powered gift card program in September 2023, Nonnina has seen impressive results that highlight both the revenue impact and customer engagement potential of gift cards. In less than two years, the café has generated over $20,000 in gift card sales alone, creating a new and reliable stream of income. Beyond the immediate revenue, gift cards also bring new customers through the door—people who may be introduced to Nonnina for the first time through a gift.

With its seamless integration with Cluster POS, Nonnina staff benefit from an intuitive, quick, all in one system. The Nonnina team cites the system as “simple and really easy to use” – with Cluster and DataCandy, increased sales and loyalty don't mean compromising efficiency.

The program has also demonstrated strong engagement, with a 68% redemption rate. This means most of the gift cards sold are actively being used, driving steady foot traffic and reinforcing repeat visits. Every redemption represents not just a transaction, but an opportunity to create a memorable experience that encourages customers to return, even after their gift card balance is gone.

Another benefit for Nonnina has been the 32% of gift card value that remains unused, representing pure profit for the business. Together, these results illustrate how gift cards have become an effective growth tool for Nonnina, combining upfront cash flow, increased customer visits, and long-term loyalty in one program.

On average, customers redeem nearly $18 per transaction, further supporting daily sales and helping maintain consistent revenue flow. This is higher than the national café average of about $13 and even above the quick-service meal average of $16.50, showing that gift card redemptions at Nonnina drive stronger-than-average spend. And because customers often add to their order beyond the card value—a common pattern with gift card programs—the impact on overall revenue is even greater.

‍

Nonnina’s Gift Card Program Results

• 68% Redemption Rate – Most gift cards are actively used, driving repeat visits.
  
  
• 32% of Value Unused – Represents pure profit for the business.
  
  
• Average Spend per Redemption: $18 – Above national café average ($13) and quick-service meal average ($16.50).
  
  
• Upsell Opportunity – Customers often add to their order beyond the card value, boosting overall revenue.

Impact: Combines upfront cash flow, increased visits, and long-term loyalty all into one program.

‍

Conclusion

By introducing the Cluster POS system and a DataCandy-powered gift card program, Nonnina has successfully combined its community-focused values with a practical tool for scalability and growth. The results speak for themselves: stronger customer engagement, new visitors discovering the café, and a steady boost to revenue. As Nonnina continues to flourish, reliable technology solutions and gift cards have proven to be more than just a convenience—they’ve become a key driver of the café’s long-term success.

‍

‍

Managing staff members can be challenging, especially in a restaurant environment where tight deadlines and high-pressure situations can often lead to disagreements. However, with the right strategies in place it’s possible to create an effective team that works together harmoniously both in and outside of work. Read on for our top 10 tips on how you can effectively manage staff in a restaurant environment.

1. Foster an Open Environment – Creating a supportive and open atmosphere is essential for successful communication between managers, supervisors and staff members alike. Make sure everyone feels comfortable speaking up about their ideas or any issues they have so that there’s room for growth and improvement within the team.
2. Set Clear Expectations – Outline employee roles and expectations clearly from the beginning to avoid any confusion later on down the line. Setting clear goals helps ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to tasks they are responsible for as well as realistic timelines around completion of those tasks
3. Provide Feedback Often – Constructive feedback should be given frequently so that employees know whether or not they’re meeting expectations or need additional support or training to perform better. Additionally, make sure to remember praise when warranted — even small compliments go a long way toward building staff morale!
4. Utilize Technology – Investing in tools such as performance tracking software can help streamline processes such as scheduling shifts or assigning tasks more efficiently than by manual means alone! Helping staff learn how to use these tools properly also allows for greater autonomy which leads us onto our next point…
5. Encourage Autonomy – Allowing employees freedom over their own decisions as long as it adheres to company policies can be incredibly empowering! This gives them greater control over their role without sacrificing productivity or standards of quality workmanship thereby creating a healthier working culture overall!
6. Listen To Your Team– After all, who better knows what goes into each job than those actually doing it? By listening closely to your team’s feedback and suggestions you may find ways to improve processes that you hadn’t previously considered before — all part of being an effective manager!
7. Stay Organized– It pays dividends to cultivate good organizational habits both personally & professionally! Staying organized keeps teams motivated while reducing stress levels so sorting out files/schedules regularly is key here !
8. Share Knowledge With New Staff– Whenever there is turnover within teams passing knowledge along quickly ensures new recruits can hit the ground running & don’t feel overwhelmed with their tasks . Doing this regularly helps keep everyone feeling up-to-date with brand operations so no one gets left behind.
9. Lead By Example—As a manager it’s important to demonstrate the level of excellence expected from those reporting up . Showing team members how you handle stressful situations or demonstrating proper hygiene techniques creates strong role models whose behavior is then replicated by other employees.
10. Have Fun– Don’t forget that restaurants are places where people gather for enjoyment so keeping things lighthearted yet professional will boost morale & create long lasting memories between guests & staff too ! Having regular opportunities such as team bonding events further strengthens relationships amongst coworkers leading higher productivity rates & retention rates !

‍