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February 2010 |
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Auto-Pour Systems Take the Power out of Bartenders' Hands
The days of friendly bartenders pouring a little extra into a glass may become just a fond memory at some bars and restaurants.More bar owners are installing new breeds of automatic systems that can track every bottle in stock, monitor each pour to the ounce and wirelessly link bottles right to the customer's credit card.
The most advanced systems bypass the bartender altogether and dispense even $60 glasses of wine through a pneumatic spout right to the customer holding the glass.
Whether the machines change a bar's atmosphere can be debated, but more bar owners are finding them appealing for an important reason: Financial control over a business that's long been susceptible to fuzzy portions or pilfering.
"This has  probably been one of the best things we've ever tried to control our costs," said Timothy Michaud, CEO of Capt Hirams, which generated several thousand dollars in new revenue each month after installing a tracking system. "If we could only do this with food."
For decades, bartending has been fertile ground for inventors hoping to sell the next big gadget.
One big motivation: Bartenders are the rare employees in the hospitality industry who single-handedly take a customer's order, prepare the product, and take cash to the register - mixing drinks entirely on their own initiative in the hopes of cash tips.
Bar owners have long sought a method to standardize the vagaries of pouring drinks and to bring to the bars a kind of automation that allows fast food chains to benchmark food ingredients down to the micro-ounce across thousands of locations.There are already mechanical bottle tops that dispense a set amount of fluid, but they don't prevent bartenders pouring twice into the same glass. The speedy bartender may gather a few more tips by pouring a bit long for a regular guest. But bar owners cringe at the lost revenue, and increasingly the liability from pouring extra.
There have been automatic "guns" that squirt a specific size liquor shot. But some bar owners say the machines detract from a bar's cozy atmosphere. Major resorts in Las Vegas were among the first to adopt automatic bartending. Now the gadgets are showing up in Florida.
The Swan hotel at Disney uses a mobile wine dispensing system to convert a rarely used hallway into a makeshift cocktail lounge each day. The system, built by Napa Technologies of Santa Clara, Calif., that inserts a small tube into the bottle and replaces air inside with an inert gas to prevent the wine going bad. Passing guests can squirt out their own glasses of wine, or bartenders can keep dozens of wines open and available without bottles' spoiling. Napa Technology has similar machines in the TD Gardens stadium in Boston, Whole Foods stores in Chicago and the large Tasting's wine bar in Ft. Meyers.
The Taps wine bar in downtown Tampa used a new Enomatic wine system as part of its main business plan. There are traditional bartenders, but there are also rows of highly polished dispensers where customers can slip in a debit card and pour themselves any of 60 different wines by the glass."Every drop is accounted for, and the novelty of the machines attracts people," said James DeVito, who owns Taps as well as the neighboring Raw sushi bar.
Such automatic machines all but eliminate the chance of bartender's pouring extra for a friend or pouring a top-shelf bottle but ringing up a cheaper variety on the cash register and pocketing the difference in the tip jar.
Copyright (c) 2010, Tampa, Tribune, Fla.
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Fintech Focus on Employees
Ben Boehm joined Fintech in December 2008 as the Vice President of Finance.Ben was born and raised in Florida and currently lives in Tampa with his wife and children.Prior to Fintech, Ben spent over 10 years at the corporate office of Shells Seafood Restaurants managing the Finance, Information Technology, and Purchasing departments. In his capacities at Shells, he was a Fintech user and advocate. He also dealt extensively with beer, wine, and spirits distributors who use Fintech. This combination of knowledge about Fintech allowed him to make significant contributions and provide insights right away.
Ben leads the day to day Finance and Accounting functions at Fintech.Recently, Ben has been working with each of our pilot distributors on our new PrePay feature.
Fintech Announces Employee/Manager of the Quarter
Fintech Manager of the Quarter
Ben Boehm - VP of Finance
Fintech Employee of the Quarter
Vani Mynampati - Systems Developer
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Congratulations Winners!
Please join us in congratulating the winners of our quarterly Fintech Focus newsletter contest!:
First Prize - $500 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Akshay Dave - Jay Shree Krishna 14 Inc.
Second Prize - $100 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Sean Gleason - Five Star Distributing
Third Prize - $50 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Karenda Griffith - Murphy Oil USA Inc.
Laurie Meads - Bay Harbor Yacht Club
Jill McCoon - Tom Ryan Distributing Co.
Jean Sheldon - Superior Beverage
Diana Sudano Bing - Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Here's what our contest winners wanted to say about Fintech:
Fintech is a valuable partner and they always put our customers first. They are proactive in their efforts to help us help our customers, establish new business and keep the lines of communication open. Fintech is a true asset!
- Sean Gleason
Fintech is a safe and efficient way to process payments to meet all ABC requirements.
- Karenda Griffith
The Fintech website is very helpful and very easy to use.
- Laurie Meads
Fintech is a huge convenience for all involved and drivers love the time saved at each Fintech account location.
- Jill McCoon
Fintech has saved our drivers a lot of time having to wait to collect payments. This gives them more time to sell beer.
- Jean Sheldon
Fintech makes collection easier for vendors, provides immediate cash flow and creates an efficient payment process.
- Diana Sudano-Bing
Click here to enter the contest!
Enter our quarterly contest to win a gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers such as Target, Costco, Kroger, Exxon, Applebees, Outback and others!
First Prize (1 winner)
$500 gift certificate
Second Prize (1 winner)
$100 gift certificate
Third Prize (5 winners)
$50 gift certificate
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Distributors
Adamo LLC
Alberello Imports, LLC
Alford Dist. Co.
Anheuser Busch of NY
Aroostook Beverage Co.
Askari O.H. LLC
Auburn Twin Oaks Winery
B. Nektar Meadery
Badger Liquor Co. Inc.
Badger West
Bald Eagle Beverage Co.
Bender Beverage Co.
Better Brands Distributing
Bob Ralph Distributing Co.
Bottomley Distributing Inc.
Bounty Bev, LLC
C. J. W. Inc.
Cap Rock Winery
Central Beer Dist. Inc.
Chateau Thomas Winery
City Beverage Co. Inc. KS
Clarke Distributing
Classic Brands Athens
Classic Distributing and Beverage Group, Inc.
County Distributing, JPG
Crossroad Vintners / Double Magnum, LLC
Crown Distributors, LLC
Dakota Beverage Co.,Inc.
DBI Beverage Napa
DBI Beverage Sacramento
DBI Beverage San Joaquin
DBI Beverage San Jose
Delille Cellars
Delta Brands Inc. DBA Delta Sierra Distributing
Demo Distributors
Depere Liquor Co. LLC
Dionysus Imports Inc.
Direct Int'l of Illinois
Donaghy Sales, LLC
Donnewald Dist. Co.
Double Eagle Beverage
Eagle Beverage Corp.KS
Eagle Distributing of AR
Elfstrom Enterprises
Fechtel Beverage
Fisher Beverage Company
Fitzgerald Brothers
Flanigan Distributing
Floral City Beverage, Inc.
Foothill Dist. Co.
Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale
Frank Beer Distributors
Frank Liquor Co. Inc.
General Beer - NE
General Beverage Sales
General Beverage Co.
Great Rivers Dist.
Great State Beverages Inc
Groves Discount Wine & Liquor
Harbor Lights Pictures
Island Spirits Distribution
Heimark Dist. Co.
Henry Davis Organic Selections, Inc.
Hidalgo Imports, LLC
K & M Distributing Co Inc Dba Premium Beverage
Karadeci Group, LLC
La Crosse Beverage, LLC
Larry's Dist. Co.
Lee Beverage of WI, LLC
Left Coast Cellars
Lloyd Distributing Co , Inc
Lone Oak Vineyard Estate
M E FOX & CO., INC.
Mark Twain Distributing
Markstein Beverage Co. San Marcos
Markstein Beverage
Martin & Company Wines
Midway Beverage, Inc.
Midwest Wine & Spirits
Miller Beer of the Northwoods, Inc.
Miller Brands of SE Ohio
Mississippi Distributors Inc
Missouri Eagle LLC-WA
Murphy Distributing Inc
N H Scheppers Distributing Company
Natchitoches Beverage
Norfolk Beverage Co.
North Coast Mercantile
North Kansas City Beverage Co. Inc.
Ott Schweitzer Distributorship,Inc
Pacific Beverage Co - Santa Barbara
Patagonia Enterprises LLC
Perry Distributors Inc.
Phillips Distributing Corp
Plattsburgh Dist. Co.
Port Townsend Brewing
Preferred Distributors Inc. (C & H Inc. of Reedsburg)
Quest Wine Merchants Lirette Selections
R & S Beverage
Rays Beverage Co.
Republic National Distributing Company NE
River Eagle Dist. Co.
RMB Associates Inc
Salamanca Area Beverage
Sandhill Crane Vineyards
Silver Moon Winery, LLC
Soaring Eagle Distributing-Desloge
Sommelier Direct, LLC
Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado
Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii
Southwest Distributing Company - KS
Spotted Dog Winery
State Distributing Co.
Stickney Distributing, Inc.
Straub Dist. Company - Tustin
Superior Beverages - WI
The Coqui Group LLC
The Winery Bistro and Wine Shop
Triangle Distribuing Co.CA
Triangle Dist. Co.WI
V. Santoni & Co.
Valley Wide Beverage Co.
Venegoni Distributing Inc
Vidricksen Distributing
VinTabla Wine and Spirits
Wasatch Distributing Co.
WDI, LLC dba Wisconsin Distributors
Western Beverage KS
White Mountain Dist.
Wil Fischer Distributing
Wilson-McGinley, Inc.
Winebow, Inc.
Wisconsin Distributors Appleton LLC
Zastrow The Beer Man Inc
Concessions
AMF Bowling Centers Inc.
ARAMARK Corp.
Arena Sports
Champions Club at Hamton Creek
Club Corp USA Inc
Compass Group
Global of Allen, LLC
HMS Host - Corporate
HMS Host - Corporate
Legends Hospitality, LLC
SMG F&B Kansas LLC dba Intrust Bank Arena
Sodexo
Sugar Mill Pond Pizza
VFW Post 4412 - Larry Tawney Memorial
Volume Services America dba Centerplate
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Convenience Stores
Alba Investment Group dba Sky 24 Shell
American Star Toano dba Star Express 3
B Kwik Food Mart
Beach Oil Company
Castle Retail Group, Llc
Central-Oil Co DBA Harde' Mart
Certified Oil
Circke K - RDK Ventures, LLC
Circke K - RDK Ventures, LLC
Circle K Midwest
Circle K Stores, Inc.
Circle K Stores, Inc.
Collett Ent dba Low Bobs Tobacco
Conroy's North LLC dba Conroy's Express
Cumberland Farms
Daper Carper Ent., LLP / P & R Investments dba Phil's One Stop #9
Erickson Oil Products
Express Lane Gas & Food
Exprezit! Convenience Store, LLC
Fearless Farris Service Stations
Flying J's
Fred's Minit Market, LLC
Freedom Oil, LLC dba Freedom Express
Hope Hardwork & Happiness, Inc.
Johnson's Super Stop
Jolley Associates, dba Short Stop
Jupiter Central Citgo
Jupiter Island Way Shell
Jupiter West Shell, LLC
Kocolene Marketing
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Kwik Stop
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Love's Travel Stores
Love's Travel Stores
LTSKC dba Plaquemine Truck Stop
Mansour Enterprises Inc.
Maverik, Inc.
McNair Farms Services
Morgan Oil Co.
Mukhi Shah 1040, LLC
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
New Dev Shell
P.K.M. Corporation
Pacific Northwest Petroleum, Inc.
Pilot Travel Centers, LLC
Prima Investments Inc
Quik Way Ventures
RAM, Inc. (Alford Propane)
Retail America, LLC
Rocket Oil Company
Rudy's Operating Co. / Denny Oil
Senor Buddy's
SFM Beverages, Inc.
Sheetz, Inc.
Single Stop Inc.
Sonora Ozona Oil Company
Sprint Food Stores, Inc.
SSP Partners
TA Operating, LLC / Travel Centers of America
Taylor Oil Company
TH Midwest dbaTurkey Hill Minit Markets
Truax #2, LLC
U-Gas, Inc.
Valero Energy Company
Wash-N-Go Shell, Inc.
Western Marketing dba Turley Enterprises
Casino
Hannahville Indian Comm.dba Island Resorts & Casino
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Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Hyatt Regency Princeton
Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Hyatt Westlake Plaza
JW Marriott San Antonio Hil Country Resort & Spa
LOUI Associates LLC DBA Park Inn Louisville East
Marriott Houston West Energy
Ocala Inn & Suites Dba Homewood Suites
Principiant Hotel Company
Revite Urban Renewal Assoc. dba Hyatt Regency New Brunswick
Sand Key Associates LP, Dba Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Select Hotels Group
Select Hotels Group LLC / as Agent For Fan Pier Land Company dba Hyatt Summerfield
Select Hotels Group LLC / as Agent For Fan Pier Land Company dba Hyatt Summerfield
Springhill Suites Atlanta Airport
Summit Hotel Properties, LLC dba Flagstaff AZ Springhill Suites
The Allerton Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
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Planet Liquor
ABC Liquors, Inc.
Big Bev Inc.
Gabriel Holdings, Ltd
Grove Liquors LLC
Kegs & Corks
Lake Wine and Spirits
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PM Discount
Spec's Family Partners
The Cork Liquors
Triangle Wine & Spirits
Mass Merchants
Cost Plus World Markets
Kmart/Sears
Meijer
Target Stores
Walmart-Sam's Club
Restaurant/Bar
Ahwatukee Golf Properties
Airport Retail Management
All American Club House
Al's Pizza
Amber Lantern Restaurant
ARDUOUS, Inc. dba Riehle Brothers
AZ Native Restaurant dba Native New Yorker
B&M Enterprises / Beckham's Osprey Grill
Bar Louie- Arcadia
Bar Louie- Buffalo
Bar Louie -Centennial
Bar Louie- Denver
Bar Louie- West Minster
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Restaurant/Bar
Bella Vita at Circle Gardens
Bruno Enterprises Too
Bubba Management LLC dba
Bubba Moose Sports Bar and Grill
Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.
Buona Beef Inc
Buona Catering LLC
Butter Charlotte, LLC Dba Butter NC
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide
Carrabba's
Cattlemen's Steakhouse & Saloon
Chalak Restaurants Mansfield
Chalak Restaurants Mequite LLC dba Genghis Grill
Chalak Restaurants San Antonio II, LLC
Chalak Restaurants Wichita Falls LLC
Chaotic Ventures, LLC dba Duex Lounge
Cheddar's Casual Cafe
Cheesecake Factory
Chicago Pizza Hospitality Holdings, Inc.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chuy's of Phoenix
City Center Executive Plaza LLC dba The Refuge Golf and Country Club
Cocktails on Main LLC Dba Mabel's on Main
Cody's Backyard, LLC
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc.
Cork, LLC
Cork Soakers
Cowboys BBQ of Ft Pierce
Cowboys of Sebring
Culinaire International
Dave & Buster's
Divica Inc. dba Sabor Mexican Restaurant
DPB Services Inc., dba Big Racks BBQ & Sports Grill
DT Phibeta, LLC Dba Bd's Mongolian Grill
Dublin Pub Group, LLC
Durbin Dining St. Louis
Eatwell Enterprises, LLC dba Cere's Table
ERJ Dining LLC / Chili's
Fat Daddy's - Bossier
FCG Edmond, LLC
FCG San Anotnio NW
Foozies Sports Bar and Billards
Fox Restaurant Concepts
FSI-RR-KILT LLC dba Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery
Gabriela's Heavenly Wings
Gator Beef's LLC, DBA Beef O'Brady's
Granite City Food & Brewery
Harborside Commercial at St. James Plantation
HB Restaurants Hoffbrau Steaks
Tilted Kilt
Hearsay Houston LLC
Hoot County, Inc.
Houlihan's #521
Houlihan's #522
Houlihan's #523
Houlihan's #524
Houlihan's #525
Houlihan's #526
HS Foods LLC DBA La Dama
Island House Restaurant
Jack's Porch
Jay Peak Inc. division of Saint-Sauveur Valley Resort Inc.
JCS Holdings dba Joe's Crab Shack
JCS Holdings dba Joe's Crab Shack
La Lomita, Inc. / DBA El Tigre
Lake Fairways Sandtrap
Lake Worth Roadhouse LLC dba David Toole's Original Roadhouse
Levy Restaurants
Logan's Roadhouse
Mama Fu's New Braunfels
Marietta Enterprises Dba R&B Liquor
Milagros LLC
Mile High Beef LLC
MM Happy Valley Linited Partnership dba Mellow Mushroom
Muy Mucho
National Pizza JV
Neiman Marcus
Newflower Market, Inc. / Sunflower Farmers Markets
Noodles & Company / Sagamore Dinning Partners
O'Charley's Incorporated
Off The Hook
On Top of the World Golf
Outback Steakhouse, Inc.
Oven 201 East Atlantic LLC Dba The Office
PF Chang's China Bistro
Pine Lakes Pub
Poblano Grill Moore
Pollo Operations, Inc. dba Pollo Tropical
Portofino Restaurant, Inc.
Potter Wings LLC / Buffalo Wild Wings
Prime Bar America
Primland Limited
Really Nice Restaurants dba Nick's Fishmarket Rosemont, LLC
Red Robin International
Reeves & Norcross Properties dba Wingstop Highway 77
Regrets None dba Big Daddy O's
RJ Mexican Cuisine
Robbie Fox's
Rock Bottom Restaurants
Rosemont Pizza Inc dba Giordano's
SB Alamo Development LLC DBA SmashBurger
Scottsdale Wine Cafe LLC dba 5th and Wine
Schmidt's Town Tap
Second Growth at Atlantic Station dba The Grape
Sharky's on Greenville Inc
Shoals Saloon & Grille
Six Feet Under
SmokeHouse Restaurant
Social 732 LLC
Sooners or Later Inc.
Soul Food, LLC dba Momo's Bistro
South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind
Speedway Taco Team, LLC / Sir Veza's Taco Garage
SPEGO Holdings, Inc.
SSP America - Corporate
Stan Inc DBA the Boobie Trap
Stix Restaurant
Streets of New York Inc.
Studio Club 4, LLC
Tavern Catering
Tavistock Restaurants III
The Green Turtle Leesburg
The Lion's Den
The Parish
The Sports Pit
Tijuana Flats #144, LLC
Tijuana Flats # 156 LLC
Tijuana Flats LLC #153
Town House
Trinity Hall
Troy Burgers, Inc DBA Bagger Daves
Watson's Bar
Willowbrook Pizza Inc. dba Giordano's
Wintzell's Huntsville LLC
Wintzell's Orange Beach
Wings N More
Wolfie's Grill
Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse
ZK Texas Beverages, LLC Plano
Zoe's North Carolina Holding, LLC |
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| 7702 Woodland Center Blvd., Suite 50 | Tampa, FL 33614 |
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