Lionel from Joues et Croquettes in De Panne initially opted for a major international POS system, but ran into problems with slow cloud software, impersonal helpdesks and the feeling that he wasn’t recognised as a customer anywhere. After switching to Untill via Unipage, his local partner, his POS system now works lightning fast, even without an internet connection, and he can once again focus entirely on what matters: his guests and his artisanal croquettes.
Lionel runs Joues & Croquettes in De Panne. A small restaurant with a clear vision: everything is homemade, from the bread rolls on the table to the biscuits served with coffee at the end of the meal. The prawn croquettes are the star of the menu, and that menu changes every season. Regulars return every summer, tourists discover the place by word of mouth, and Lionel knows his guests by name.
What he expected from his POS system was essentially the same thing: someone who knows who you are, what you need, and who is quick to step in if something goes wrong. That might seem obvious, but in practice it turned out not to be the case at all.
When Lionel started in 2017, he was already working with Untill, which had been installed and set up by Michel from Unipage. The system ran smoothly, the interface was straightforward, and if there was a problem, Michel had it sorted in no time.
But when he expanded to a new location and began to scrutinise his costs, a subscription package from a larger provider seemed an attractive option. It fitted in better with his cash flow planning at the time. An understandable decision for any small hospitality business owner.
What he hadn’t anticipated was what would happen next.
The problems started early on. Support was provided via a call centre, and every time Lionel rang, he spoke to a different person. He had to explain his situation all over again each time. There was no familiar voice on the other end of the line, no one who knew the details of his case or what had been discussed previously.
What’s more, the system operated via the cloud, which meant that a slow or unstable internet connection had a direct impact on the speed of service in the dining room. At times, printing a receipt could take as long as forty seconds. During a busy summer at the seaside, when every second counts, that’s no small matter when it happens at every table, with every order, and at every checkout.
"We’ve become just numbers," says Lionel. "And in a big multinational, they don’t even notice."
Lionel got in touch with Michel. Less than a week later, Michel was at his shop, cash register in hand, ready to set everything up. The system was up and running within an hour. The back office felt familiar straight away; the interface was clear and user-friendly, and the team was able to get to work with it straight away.
Lionel immediately noticed the biggest difference in day-to-day operations: Untill works without an internet connection. The till communicates locally, regardless of connection speed. The ticket that used to take forty seconds to print is now printed instantly. During the busiest times of the year, when the venue is full and tourists are pouring in, the team doesn’t notice a thing.
And if there is ever a problem? Then Lionel Michel gives us a call. He knows the business, knows the system and knows what needs to be done.
For most hospitality businesses in Belgium, a Fiscal Data Module, also known as FDM or BlackBox , legally required. The FDM is connected to the registered cash register system and records transactions securely for the tax authorities.
Lionel discovered that his previous system, Lightspeed, had not assisted him correctly in this regard. His business was not compliant with the black box requirements, something he himself was unaware of and which cost him dearly during an inspection.
It was partly this realisation that led him to decide to switch back to the Untill POS system. Michel ensured that the FDM was installed correctly and that everything was in order for tax purposes even before the business reopened.
Unipage ensures that the installation of the FDM or BlackBox runs smoothly and that your business is fully compliant right from the start. That way, you won’t be faced with any surprises when you least need them.
Lionel takes the same approach in his own business. His regular customers are treated as if it were their first visit, yet at the same time he knows their preferences, he knows what they like to drink as an aperitif, and he remembers the little details that make all the difference. That personal approach is exactly what he missed with his previous software supplier, and exactly what he found at Unipage.
For restaurant owners and brasserie operators in Flanders and Wallonia , this is a familiar story. The decision to choose a till system is rarely purely technical. It’s also about the question: who will be on my side if things go wrong? Who understands my business? Who responds quickly and sorts it out without me having to repeat my story three times?
In addition to the Untill POS system, Unipage also supports restaurants with a booking system that integrates seamlessly with front-of-house operations, and with a professional website that truly suits the business. For a restaurant like Joues et Croquettes, where the menu changes every season and reservations are crucial in the summer, these are not optional extras but logical extensions of a well-established operation.
Everything is handled through a single point of contact. No need for one supplier for the till, another for the website and yet another for bookings. That is exactly what sets Unipage apart: one system, one partner, one number to call.
Untill is a professional POS system developed specifically for the hospitality sector: restaurants, brasseries, bistros and similar establishments. The system operates locally, without relying on an internet connection, and offers a clear interface for both front-of-house staff and the back office. In Belgium, Untill is distributed and installed by Unipage, which also provides local support.
A cloud-based POS system operates via the internet and relies on a stable connection. In the event of a disruption or a slow connection, this can lead to delays on the shop floor. An offline system such as Untill stores data locally and operates independently of internet speed. This makes it particularly suitable for busy businesses where every second counts.
Yes. In addition to the Untill POS system, Unipage also offers a booking system and a professional restaurant website. Everything is managed through a single partner, ensuring that the systems are fully integrated and that you can contact the same person for any queries.
At Joues et Croquettes, the Untill system was installed and fully operational within a few hours. The exact duration depends on the configuration of the business, but Unipage always strives to make the transition as smooth and quick as possible, so that normal operations are disrupted as little as possible.
International software companies sometimes offer attractive rates, but are further removed from the day-to-day reality of a Belgian hospitality business. Local partners such as Unipage know the market, speak the language and can be on site quickly. For restaurant owners who value personal and direct support, this makes all the difference.
Lionel wants to be able to focus on his croquettes, on his guests, and on the details that make his restaurant unique. His till system needs to support that, not hinder it. That sounds simple, but it requires making the right choice right from the start.
Would you like to find out more about Untill or Unipage’s other solutions for your restaurant? Feel free to visit unipage.be or request a no-obligation demo.
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