Why the Right FEC POS is Essential for Today’s Family Entertainment Centers

In the evolving world of hospitality and entertainment, Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) face a unique set of challenges. With multiple service zones, dynamic guest experiences, and high-volume operations, the technology that powers these businesses has to be just as flexible as the venues themselves. That’s where a purpose-built Family Entertainment Center Point of Sale (FEC POS) like GoTab comes in.

In the evolving world of hospitality and entertainment, Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) face a unique set of challenges. With multiple service zones, dynamic guest experiences, and high-volume operations, the technology that powers these businesses has to be just as flexible as the venues themselves. That’s where a purpose-built Family Entertainment Center Point of Sale (FEC POS) like GoTab comes in.

Whether you operate a taproom attached to a go-kart track, a self-pour beer wall next to virtual reality simulators, or a multi-level eatertainment venue with games, dining, and retail, your POS system should do more than just process payments. It should enable you to deliver a seamless, guest-first experience from entrance to exit.

1. RFID Integration for Self-Pour and Self-Service

Many FECs are embracing self-serve beverage technology like PourMyBeer or iPourIt to reduce overhead and give guests more control. GoTab’s POS platform is fully integrated with RFID card systems, allowing guests to start tabs with a simple scan. These RFID cards can be used to pour drinks, order food, and keep purchases centralized across the property.

This integration creates an intuitive and consistent experience. A guest receives a pre-authorized RFID card at check-in, uses it at the tap wall, places food orders via QR, and pays automatically at the end. No wristbands. No duplicate charges. Just one connected guest journey.

2. Hybrid Ordering: QR, Server, and Self-Service in One

GoTab is built for flexibility, making it the ideal FEC POS for hybrid service models. Guests can scan a QR code to browse menus, order food, and pay directly from their phones. Meanwhile, staff can still take orders with handheld POS devices or at a stationary POS.

This dual approach ensures you can deliver high-quality service in any area of your venue—from the arcade to the kitchen. It also reduces staffing pressures by empowering guests to take control when they want, while still allowing personalized service when needed.

3. Centralized Tab Management Across Zones

One of the biggest headaches in family entertainment centers is managing transactions across multiple zones. A guest might start their experience at a self-pour tap wall, move to a sit-down dining area, and finish in the game lounge. With GoTab, a single tab can follow that guest the entire way.

Servers and managers can view and interact with any tab from any device, whether it started at the bar, a kiosk, or a guest’s phone. That means fewer mix-ups, faster service, and a better guest experience overall. Pre-authorizations ensure tabs are secure without requiring guests to leave a card behind.

4. Modular, Scalable Setup for Multi-Zone Venues

FECs are rarely static; they evolve and expand over time. GoTab’s modular design allows operators to scale service zones, integrate new technology, and adapt workflows without switching platforms. Whether you’re opening a new escape room or launching a full kitchen next to your bowling lanes, the GoTab POS system can adapt quickly.

This scalability makes it easier for family entertainment operators to experiment, iterate, and grow—without the typical tech headaches. It’s one of the reasons GoTab is becoming the go-to FEC POS for forward-thinking operators.

5. Support for Non-Food Zones (Gaming, Simulators, More)

Unlike restaurant-first POS systems, GoTab is designed with complex, multi-experience environments in mind. You don’t have to hack together systems to work around areas that aren’t food or beverage focused. Instead, GoTab integrates effortlessly into guest flows that include gaming zones, simulators, or retail checkouts.

Tabs, transactions, and order history are unified, so guests don’t feel friction as they transition from one part of the venue to another. And because staff have access to the full picture in real time, they can offer more personalized and timely service throughout the venue.

Real Results for Real FEC Operators

Operators choosing GoTab as their family entertainment center point of sale system are seeing measurable improvements:

Higher check averages thanks to easier reordering and upsell opportunities
Faster table turns with less staffing
Happier guests who can roam, relax, and enjoy the venue on their terms

One operator described GoTab as "the only POS that actually works for how we operate. Our guests can start at the beer wall, grab a burger, and jump on a simulator—and everything just flows."

The Future of FEC POS is Guest-First

Family entertainment venues are more complex than ever. That means your point-of-sale system can’t be an afterthought. It needs to be a flexible, powerful tool that supports your operational goals and enhances every guest interaction.

GoTab’s FEC POS platform isn’t just about payments. It’s about creating an operational backbone that unites your staff, systems, and service models—while giving guests the freedom to enjoy your venue however they choose.

To learn more about how GoTab powers next-generation family entertainment centers, visit our FEC POS page or schedule a free demo.

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Situated “in the heart of it all, yet tranquil enough to make you feel away from it all too,” The Limelight Hotel Snowmass offers 99 hotel rooms and 11 residences, as well as footsteps-to-gondola access in winter and summer — right in the middle of Snowmass Base Village.

The Situation

Especially over the last few years, the Limelight Hotels IT team had witnessed a significant shift to contactless technology in the hospitality industry. After evaluating friction points in the guest journey, aligning with modern technology platforms in their restaurant was determined to be an effective way to offer elevated contactless dining experiences to their guests while also evolving their technology platforms to continue to support long-term company goals. Limelight Hotel partnered with GoTab to provide an enhanced on-demand dining experience on par with the brand’s reputation for exceptional guest service.

The Solution

Reducing Staff Touch Points Without Sacrificing Guest Experience

Guests are now able to begin a tab from their room or the property’s restaurant by scanning a QR code, texting a link to friends or family members on the ski slope to add in their orders, then meeting up together at the patio or lodge to enjoy their meal and après ski festivities without interruption. By streamlining tasks like inputting orders and processing payments, this eliminates friction for hotel staff and allows them to focus on delivering renowned guest service for a memorable experience. Since partnering with GoTab, Limelight Snowmass has consistently seen higher check averages and sales.

“We found the Point of Sale platforms we were looking at offered the guest and staff limited opportunities to further reduce touch points or improve the traditional restaurant experience. The GoTab platform enabled the guest to take an active role over the flow of their experience while simultaneously reducing touch points and further streamlining restaurant operations.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

According to the Limelight Hotels team, some of the other platforms that were evaluated were either missing some of the pieces they were looking for, had weak customer support models, or had little willingness to develop integrations to existing hotel platforms already in place. To that end, GoTab integrated with cloud-based platform, Infor. Together, GoTab and Infor are providing dynamic solutions to support central, efficient service across hotel amenities and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“Previously, guests would call down to the restaurant to begin an order from their room or while they were out enjoying the ski slopes. Using GoTab, guests can now place orders from anywhere on the resort, giving them the on-demand service they want without interrupting their day. GoTab empowers us to give control to the guest, reducing touch points and streamlining overall restaurant operations, making Limelight Hotel the resort of choice for Snowmass.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

Since introducing GoTab, The Limelight Hotel has seen a consistent level of upsells and items sold per check resulting in additional revenue capture. They have been able to maintain service levels in their restaurants during periods when there was reduced staffing available without significantly diminishing the guest experience.

The Benefits

Eliminate Phone Orders – Take Orders from the Slopes. Guests can start a tab from their room or on the mountain without interrupting the flow of their day.

Future-Proofed Technologies – Delivering elevated contactless ordering via integration with the Infor hotel management platform.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

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