Welcome to our Q&A Spotlight series, where we explore real-world stories of full-service restaurants finding success with Squirrel. We are excited to have Keven Petersen, who has over 22 years of experience in restaurant technology and is the Senior Manager of Restaurant Applications at SPB Hospitality—a leading operator and franchisor of full-service dining restaurants with hundreds of locations nationwide. Keven shares how Squirrel has helped transform Logan’s Roadhouse operations and support their charity programs.
Summary
Logan’s Roadhouse is a chain of restaurants based in Houston, Texas. The chain has 108 locations across 22 states in the US, serving wood-fired grilled steaks and dishes infused with Southern-inspired flavor. The steakhouse has played a pivotal role in uniting communities through its charity initiatives, including partnerships with K9s For Warriors, supporting veterans, and donating over 20,000 meals to needy families. Squirrel has been their trusted POS system since 1999, supporting these charity programs’ operations from the beginning.
How did the Charity Program start at Logan’s Roadhouse?
The charity program started about five years ago to make it easy for guests to contribute to causes that matter to them and the broader community. It was also a way for Logan’s to show their commitment to giving back to the community.
How would you describe the Charity Program at Logan’s Roadhouse?
We support various charities, including the Special Olympics, Autism Speaks, No Kid Hungry, and K9 programs. Guests can round up their checks or donate a specific amount to these charities. The Squirrel POS helps servers input donation amounts or offers a simple round-up option, making the process seamless.
How has this Charity Program impacted Logan’s Roadhouse and the local community? Have you noticed any increase in customer satisfaction or brand loyalty?
The biggest impact has been showing our commitment to important causes. This resonated with our guests. They appreciate the opportunity to contribute, which has strengthened customer loyalty. We are happy to support and bring people and the community together with charity programs like K9s For Warriors, supporting veterans, or donating over 20,000 meals to families facing hunger.
How has Squirrel Systems helped you make this meaningful impact?
Squirrel Systems has made the Charity Program incredibly easy to implement and manage. The round-up feature and the ability to donate custom amounts have simplified the process for both servers and guests. Staff promote the program by asking guests if they would like to contribute when presenting the check. For example, they’ll ask, “Do you want to round up to $5 for charity?” Guests can round up or donate a different amount, and the server can easily input the selected amount. We also place tent cards on each table to update guests about the current charity campaign.
The charity program is also easy to implement and can be set up across all 108 restaurants in less than two hours. The process involves creating the charity name and distributing it to all locations.
How complicated is it to cash out or calculate donations at the end of a program?
It’s very easy. Every Squirrel item has a unique number that our accounting team tracks. For finance, they just pull the data and input it into the ledger. The process is simple and doesn’t take much time.
Are there any other Squirrel features that your servers and managers particularly like?
Both servers and managers appreciate how user-friendly the Squirrel system is. It’s intuitive, making it easy for everyone to use. Menu changes are also very easy to implement. It takes just a few minutes to make updates across all locations.
Are there any other integrations running with the Squirrel POS system at Logan’s Roadhouse?
Yes, we also have online ordering through OLO, which is great and easy to use.
How has your experience with Squirrel Systems been so far? How long have you been using it?
My experience with Squirrel has been very positive. I’ve been using it since 1999, and it has consistently met our needs. Over the years, Squirrel has stepped up and evolved with changes. They were the first touchscreen system, and now, they continue to improve. Squirrel is easier to manage compared to some other POS systems, but that’s also because I’m most comfortable with it and know the system left and right.
Would you recommend Squirrel Systems to other restaurant owners?
Absolutely. The level of support from Squirrel, especially from their supervisors, has been outstanding. With their new cloud-based system rolling out, I believe Squirrel is well-positioned for the future.
The post Logan’s Roadhouse: Combating Hunger and Supporting Veterans appeared first on Squirrel Systems.