Fainmous BBQ takes catering to the next level with Popmenu

Client spotlight:

James and Karen Fain have been perfecting Tennessee-style barbecue for over a decade, running two Houston-area restaurants, aptly named Fainmous BBQ, featuring dishes with distinctive hickory smoke flavor and savory vinegar-based sauces.

After finding success with their full-service restaurants, the Fains saw an opportunity to shift their business model to focus exclusively on catering. This shift enabled them to streamline operations, enjoy more flexibility, and deliver their signature hospitality in new and exciting ways.

"When we pivoted to catering, two big things happened. First, we were able to really reduce our staff and hire labor–when needed–for larger events. That makes the labor component a lot more predictable, enabling us to staff up when required. Second, we can now offer a number of items without holding that inventory ahead of time."

Karen Fain
Owner of Fainmous BBQ

Seeking one platform for all operational needs

As their business evolved, so did their need for the right tools to help them run their catering business efficiently. Enter Popmenu, which became a vital technology partner to help navigate the unique demands of a catering company.

Working with Popmenu, the Fains were able to integrate online ordering into their website, creating a seamless experience for their catering customers–and easy access on the backend for the Fains to track and manage orders.

“Popmenu has been excellent in allowing us to be responsive to our bigger catering clients; when they fill out the online forms, I can readily see the information needed for the order, know who I need to bring in for staffing, and then close the deal and ultimately close the job with what we hope is a very good customer experience.”
Karen Fain
Owner of Fainmous BBQ

Popmenu has also helped Fainmous BBQ engage a wider audience by serving up guest communication through both curated and automated emails. The platform’s analytics also help them continue to craft the right type of messaging that resonates with their catering clientele.

Driving online visibility means focusing on Google

Through their partnership with Popmenu, the Fains have also experienced the value of SEO. The best website, stellar marketing, and a superior online ordering process only matter if they help your restaurant rise to the top of a Google search. Luckily the Popmenu platform is designed to perform well on Google and allows the Fains to manage their operations, marketing, and Google profile all in the same place.

“What we have seen is the importance of actually showing up–not only from a physical foot traffic standpoint but also from a digital footprint perspective. You have to be integrated with what we call ‘the best influencer in the world,’ which is Google. You have to have that presence. If you are not posting, and if the Google ‘crawlers’ don't recognize you as relevant, then your restaurant will not be seen. That is just the reality of where we are.”
Karen Fain
Owner of Fainmous BBQ

The shift from dine-in service to catering–while leveraging Popmenu to manage leads, communication, and online visibility–has helped Fainmous BBQ streamline operations and expand its customer base. The Fain’s story illustrates that with the right tools in place, restaurants can continue treating customers like family–no matter how the business evolves.

“What I love about the Popmenu platform–and one of the main reasons why we went with Popmenu–is because of their proprietary technology and the integration they have with Google.”
Karen Fain
Owner of Fainmous BBQ

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