Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What EPOS/till systems do members recommend for bar and taproom operations?
Several members use iPad-based EPOS systems paired with payment processors. Key recommendations: - **Vend** — praised as a great EPOS option; members link it to Zettle as the payment processor - **Tyl with iPad** — members report a simple setup that works well, with competitive payment rates and no complex requirements - **SumUp** (sumup.co.uk/point-of-sale/) — used across multiple bars; paired with Global Payments as the payment processor, which members found significantly cheaper than iZettle - **iZettle** — initially planned by one member for consistency with their event setup, though SumUp users noted iZettle's higher payment processing costs The choice often hinges on payment processor rates as much as the EPOS itself. Members using SumUp with Global Payments specifically highlighted this as a cost advantage over iZettle's rates.
How should I structure ownership when running both a retail/bar space and a brand to maximize margins while protecting both entities?
The optimal structure depends on your primary goal: liability protection, margin optimization for investors, or operational flexibility. **Holding company structure with separate trading, retail, and brand entities** — Members recommend a group structure with a holding company at the top, separate trading/operating entities, a dedicated trademark/brand company, and a retail/venue company. This allows you to ring-fence risk while keeping the group consolidated for investor reporting. **Capitalization strategy for lease obligations** — If operating under a separate retail entity with no personal guarantee on the lease, ensure the entity is sufficiently capitalized upfront so landlords won't require group guarantees. You can upstream cash to the parent group once established, protecting the group from venue-specific liabilities. **Operating as a single entity initially, then separating** — When taking on an established venue with existing revenue, members suggest operating as one business initially to capture the full retail margin and bar take (helping fund other opportunities), then restructuring later once the operation is proven. This approach also avoids landlord friction—some property owners may resist granting leases to newly-formed entities. **Key consideration: lease structure** — The lease guarantee position is critical. If you're paying rent to an existing landlord as a bar operator with no direct lease involvement, this simplifies separation. However, if the group must guarantee any lease, separate capitalization becomes essential to make that guarantee unnecessary. **Sophisticated investors view group structures pragmatically** — Investors typically don't care whether your operations are in one entity or five, so long as the group economics are clear and risk is appropriately contained. Members recommend discussing the specific lease guarantee position and capitalization with your accountant and lawyer before deciding between immediate separation or phased restructuring.