Otter & Relay Help Weekends Cafe Rank High on Delivery Apps
If you’re a Brooklyn local, chances are you’re familiar with Weekends Cafe, a thriving establishment that has gained popularity on the delivery apps. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Williamsburg, the cafe lives up to its name with a sunny essence of a weekend experience. With an array of mouthwatering options from breakfast burritos to french toast, healthy smoothies and wraps, and more, you’ll leave ready to return for more.
We chatted with the owner, Ahmet Albayrak, to learn about his experience in the restaurant industry and running multiple locations at once. With the integration of Otter and Relay, Weekends has streamlined operations and is saving 10% on delivery costs— about $200,000 per year. With the integration of these two systems and Ahmet’s business-savvy approach, the cafe is thriving and well-positioned for growth.
Ahmet shares how he’s scaled in just a couple of years and keeps front and back-of-house operations running smoothly. Keep reading to learn the full story.
About his experience in the restaurant industry and buying Weekends Cafe
Ahmet: I bought Weekends Cafe two years ago, but I’ve been in the business for about seven years. I buy and sell stores, cafe restaurants, and coffee shops and this purchase is my fifth location. When I bought Weekends it was a cute, local coffee shop - I saw potential. I liked the neighborhood and the name concept of good weekend vibes.
On small changes that led to more sales
Ahmet: Within two months of buying Weekends, we tripled sales. It was the biggest success in this business. We started by simply adding items to our menu and adjusting prices. From there, we really became friendly with our neighbors. There’s some connections that make people want to come back - and if you have good quality food and friendly faces on a Monday morning, customers will feel that and want to come back. So we got busy. We just did.
On scaling and transforming the delivery side of the business
Ahmet: We were doing the most orders with delivery. Customers kept ordering again and again. In 2022, we realized we had become one of the most delivered restaurants in New York City and ranked ninth on DoorDash. There were thousands of restaurants, and we were ninth! Even against others with 30-40 years of experience, chain stores, and everything - that was a big success for us.
This meant that sometimes we would have 20 drivers outside waiting for orders though. It was a small street, and it was a mess. We had some problems with customers, neighbors, and drivers - you know? And after 300 deliveries, we wanted to try something easy and profitable to help the process.
Streamlining delivery management with Otter partner, Relay
Ahmet: Switching to Relay for delivery helps us manage the demand way easier. Their integration with Otter is smooth, their drivers are happier, and it's easier for our team to work with them. Plus, we save 10% on delivery fees which has saved us around $200,000 annually!
It's so easy for us now. Orders go from Otter to Square in one place and then Relay for drivers. Weekends used to be an absolute nightmare with all of the pickup issues - things are so much smoother with Relay.
On using Otter to build a scalable restaurant business
Ahmet: Otter helped us build a scalable operation - laying the foundation to triple sales and help us grow. Otter has been a game-changer. Having everything in one tablet saves us time and effort. It's a significant factor in our success, and after experiencing its benefits at Weekends, I quickly adopted it in my other restaurants.
Our team is happy, our processes are streamlined, and our customers can feel it. Otter helps us optimize our operations and reduce the challenges associated with growth. Its seamless integration with our POS system ensures smooth functioning.
On the importance of restaurant teamwork
Ahmet: The most important factor [for success] is your team. Build a team that works and is happy. Customers can feel if it’s off, even in the scrambled eggs. You know, it just tastes different and affects how things are made. Team members are the first thing, and second, is having great operational space and tools.
On looking to the future of Weekends Cafe
Ahmet: I'm excited about Weekends Cafe's future. With our exceptional team and tools like Otter and Relay, I'm confident that we can sustain growth and provide our customers with the best experience.
