Like a box of LEGOs, GoTab started with a single piece—mobile payments—and has grown into something far greater, one brick at a time. Each addition was intentional, building toward a flexible, guest-centric platform that adapts to the needs of operators. As we turn nine, that evolution is clearer than ever: simple beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

GoTab wasn’t supposed to be a full point-of-sale platform. It was supposed to be a lightweight payment tool we could bolt onto other POS systems. That was it. My wife and I had just opened our second brewery and saw a simple gap: What if guests could just leave when they were ready and pay from their phones?

So we built it.

We rolled out QR ordering in 2018, two years before anyone in the U.S. cared what a QR code really was. We spent days teaching customers how to scan them. We thought we had something.

The customers liked it—the industry didn’t. Most operators didn’t want tech near the guest experience.

Then 2020 happened. And everything changed.

The same operators who once said “no” were now calling us back. The world had shifted, and what once seemed too different now became essential.

We’ve been building ever since.

Today, GoTab is used by some of the most dynamic hospitality businesses in the country and we serve everyone from fine dining restaurants, eatertainment venues, breweries and more. I love what’s been built because GoTab is flexible and it adapts. It empowers operators to blend technology with people in a way that works for them.

Most POS systems are glorified cash registers. GoTab was never just about taking orders and payment. It was about transforming the way hospitality works. Today, we are proud to be a full-featured entertainment commerce platform built to optimize both experiences and efficiencies, putting the guest at the center without leaving the operator behind.

It’s satisfying to take a moment to look back over what we’ve accomplished.

We've had breakthroughs, hard pivots, setbacks, growth, and lessons we never saw coming. As I think about what is next, here are a few lessons that continue to shape how we lead the company — and ones I believe every CEO, founder, and thought leader should take to heart.

1. Build for the problem, not the applause. Stand firm in your purpose. When no one believed in QR ordering, we did. Always trust your gut.
2. Hire people who are nothing like you. Some of the most impactful partnerships I’ve had were with people who thought in ways I couldn’t. Don’t fear the friction; it often leads to the best outcomes.
3. Culture isn’t built in a deck. It’s built in the moments when things go sideways and no one’s coming to fix it but you. The team that rallies wins.
4. Don’t automate the soul out of the business. Technology should help humans—not replace them.
5. Fix the daily grind. Tackle what others ignore. Real impact comes from solving the problems people quietly endure every day. Focus on the overlooked. That’s where loyalty is built.
6. Honor the journey, but don’t stop exploring. GoTab is still listening, still learning, still pushing boundaries. Growth comes from staying curious. We’re fueled by the creativity of operators across the country and grounded in how real people experience what we build.

To the GoTab team, our partners, and every operator who took a chance on something new, thank you. You didn’t just adopt a system — you helped shape something that’s truly unique. Here is to continuing to build a platform that solves real problems, that stays flexible and adaptable, and that keeps the guest experience at the center of it all.

–Tim Mclaughlin, GoTab CEO

In This Issue of Grow with GoTab

As we reflect on how far we’ve come, we’re even more energized by what’s ahead. In this issue of Grow with GoTab, we’re spotlighting how forward-thinking operators are putting GoTab to work—from community-driven taprooms to tech-enabled kitchens—and sharing where you can connect with us in person. Keep reading for real-world stories, practical insights, and upcoming events designed to help you grow.

A Taproom Grounded in Community

At Sketchbook Brewing Company, community comes first. What started as two friends homebrewing in an alley has grown into a beloved Chicagoland brand with two vibrant taprooms—and a loyal membership base 600+ strong. But as they grew, so did the need for smarter service tools. That’s where GoTab comes in.

With GoTab, Sketchbook:

• Eliminated the hassle of card holds during busy events
• Empowered guests to order via QR or staff handhelds
• Preserved their “third space” culture while increasing operational flexibility
• Started integrating their long-running membership program for even smoother guest experiences

“I’ve seen what happens when technology gets in the way instead of helping,” says Sketchbook co-founder Cesar Marron. “So we were intentional about finding a system that enhances what we already do well, not complicates it.”

Read the full story to see how Sketchbook is blending creativity, convenience, and community—with GoTab behind the scenes.

Losing Money, But Can't See Where? You're Not Alone

From the team at Opsi—built to help hospitality operators bring clarity to kitchen operations and seamlessly integrated with GoTab—comes a new best practices piece for tackling one of the most frustrating challenges in the industry: the food cost blind spot.

You’re tracking your COGS. You’re watching your invoices. Your margins should be fine—but somehow, they’re not.

In this new article, we explore the dilemma many multi-unit operators confront. They’re doing everything “right” on paper, but still watching profits slip away. The culprit? A lack of visibility across prep, inventory, vendor pricing, and recipe costing.

Inside the article, you’ll learn how GoTab + opsi work together to:

• Tie recipes and prep lists to real-time inventory and vendor pricing
• Identify margin-killing items and portion control issues
• Eliminate spreadsheet guesswork with dynamic, connected workflows
• Turn your team’s gut instinct into data-backed decision-making

Whether you run a single location or multiple units, this piece will help you spot the silent margin killers—and show you how to fix them.

Still Time to Register: Join Us for an Industry Night at Hoppin' River North

Join GoTab and PourMyBeer for an unforgettable Industry Night at one of the country’s most exciting new taproom concepts. This isn’t just a great night out—it’s your chance to see how top operators are using hybrid service models and integrated technology to scale with consistency and control.

We’ll be gathering at Hoppin’ River North, a franchise-forward venue redefining the self-pour experience. If you’re thinking about the future of your taproom, your service model, or your tech stack, you won’t want to miss it.

GoTab + PourMyBeer Industry Night

📍Hoppin’ River North – Nashville
🗓️ Thursday, June 26
⏰ 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Drinks + Networking | Demos | Franchise Growth Talk

Catch Opsi at the Digital Transformation in Fast Casual & QSR Summit

Scaling smart starts with seeing clearly. As fast casual and QSR brands look to grow with more control and consistency, operational visibility has never been more critical. That’s why Opsi by GoTab will be live and on-site at this year’s Digital Transformation in Fast Casual & QSR Summit in Chicago.

Find us at Booth #19
June 17-18, 2025 | The Westin Chicago Lombard

Stop by to discover how opsi helps operators:

• Tie kitchen workflows directly to real-time sales and prep
• Optimize labor and inventory with data-backed decisions
• Eliminate guesswork and empower teams at every level

Whether you’re running five stores or 500, we’ll show you how to unlock sharper margins and stronger performance—without adding complexity.

Let’s connect at Booth #19 and talk about what’s really holding back your operations.

What Our Customers Are Saying

"It became clear we needed a better way to serve our customers without bogging down staff,” Marron said. “And we wanted people to have more options—to order on their own time, not stand in lines, to really enjoy the space."

–Cesar Marron, CoFounder, Sketchbook Brewing, Illinois

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