Hook & Ladder Elevates Multi-Site Eatery Operations with CBE Innova
Hook & Ladder, a family-owned, Irish-run business since 2013, has taken a bold step toward modernising its operations with the help of CBE Innova. With eight bustling eateries spread across Limerick, Dublin, and Waterford, supported by a centre of excellence operating seven days a week, the brand has built a reputation for delivering fresh, quality dishes daily. As the business has grown, it became clear that their existing EPoS system needed to evolve to meet the demands of a multi-site operation and a growing customer base.
That’s when Hook & Ladder decided to move to the next generation of EPoS with CBE Innova, a system that has revolutionised the way they operate. “We’ve been with CBE for years, and upgrading to Innova has been a game-changer,” says Andrew Moloney, Managing Director at Hook & Ladder. “It’s given us the flexibility and functionality we needed to grow the business, while also making things easier for our team and better for our customers. The system just works.”
The improvements have been felt across the board. With CBE’s cloud-based reporting and dashboards, Hook & Ladder now has centralised control of all eight eateries. The dashboard ties together all our transactions, customer seating, and key operational data, making it easy to monitor activity in real-time and manage the business remotely. “Being able to make site-specific changes and see everything in one place is a huge time-saver,” Andrew explains. “Our accounts team relies heavily on the reports generated through Innova. There are no discrepancies, and as any businesses will know, once the accounts department is happy, everyone is happy.”
On the floor, the changes have been equally transformative. The Apple-based Innova system (also available on Android) with its sleek iPads for table ordering and payment, has eliminated the need for bulky tills. The fully mobile setup allows staff to take orders, process payments, and even handle till transactions right from the table. Pre-loaded menu buttons have made ordering faster and more accurate, while real-time stock tracking ensures customers won’t be disappointed by unavailable menu items. “It’s a modern, trendy solution that fits perfectly with what we’re trying to do,” Andrew adds. “Customers notice the difference, and so does our team.”
Hook & Ladder’s multi-concept operations, spanning sit-down eateries, takeaway services, and their centre of excellence, have benefited from the flexibility Innova provides to accommodate their specific business needs. Features like integrated gift voucher sales within the system have added value for both customers and staff, while the ability to adapt the system to specific business needs has kept the team ahead of the curve. “The CBE lads are great to work with,” Andrew says. “It’s not just about the technology. CBE has been really responsive to our needs, listening to our requirements, always delivering on time, and making sure the software is agile and works as we need it to. They don’t mess around, they deliver on time, the customer service team are quick to respond, and the software does exactly what it’s supposed to do.”
Looking ahead, Hook & Ladder is excited to continue exploring how Innova can support their growth. “The days of manual processes and outdated systems are behind us,” Andrew says. “With CBE, we have the tech we need to manage the business today and the ability to grow and expand into tomorrow.” By embracing next-generation Innova technology, Hook & Ladder has set a new standard for multi-site operations while staying true to its roots as a family-run business.
