Success story
Café Van Bommel | Basilica | Boscafé De Nachtegaal
"All information clearly together, so I can steer in a targeted way"
Four catering businesses, 150 employees, one man managing it all. Tom Hamaekers runs Café Van Bommel and restaurant Basilica on Platielstraat in Maastricht, the former De Twee Heeren in the same street, and Boscafé De Nachtegaal in Meerssen. He has been working with Roltex for his cash register, planning and accounting link for years.
Place:
Maastricht, the Netherlands
Loyal customer
His four businesses each have their own vibe, experience and target audience, from Café Van Bommel regulars to the families who come to De Nachtegaal on Saturdays. Making money is not a motivation for Tom, he is addicted to the business. “To enthuse young guests and bind them to me. Moving with the times, innovating.”
What has remained unchanged all these years is the supplier of its POS systems. “I always have a strong preference for local suppliers. If I am satisfied with them, I am incredibly loyal as a customer. Roltex makes a difference with excellent service. They think with you and also tell you honestly if something is not possible.”
Being good to people
“That is very insightful. In one overview, I have all the information together that I, as an entrepreneur, need to manage. Via an app, I can track turnover and open orders minute by minute. Per product group and article, I can see exactly what is being sold and what the peak moments are. Important information that I can in turn use when instructing my staff.
By the link with Exact Online I also have an immediate insight into the costs. This is important in this day and age, of course, although I have to add that I am not the type of entrepreneur who sends staff home immediately when the pub is quieter. Even then, I think the 150 employees should be able to work their hours. It is very simple: if I am good to my people, they are good to me.
Top service
In café Van Bommel is a Vectron POS system that Tom bought from Roltex 20 years ago. It still works fine. “Eventually there will be a DISH there too, but for now it's not necessary. The Vectron is rock solid. If there is a problem, I only have to call and they help me on my way right away. If it is still not fixed by then, they are at my door the same day.”
Even after 30 years in the hospitality industry, Tom is still bursting with energy. The secret? Not a drop of alcohol and exercising every day. “That's how I stay fit to keep doing this wonderful work. I still love being behind the bar. My two sons have also been infected with the hospitality virus, they are at the Hotel School and are putting in their hours. I think it would be great to hand over the baton to them soon.”
More success stories
These customers have gone before you. They are happy to share their success stories with you!
De Poort Cafeteria
Fedat Sari has been in business for decades. He started out with a chip shop in Belgium and later ran, amongst other things, a large industrial bakery and various businesses in the Netherlands. He now owns two cafeterias, of which Cafetaria de Poort near the Brusselse Poort is his latest venture. He uses a Vectron till system in both businesses. In Maastricht, he is using the new Vectron Smart concept, which also features a Cikam cash payment terminal linked to the till.
NOON
In the heart of Maastricht you’ll find NOON, a place where experience, hospitality and quality come together. Owner Hans Paul Nieskens runs this business together with his business partner Lucas de Beaumont, thereby continuing to build on a broader vision for the city’s hospitality sector. What began with festivals and events has grown into several successful concepts. “I wanted to create a place that I’d enjoy going to myself,” says Hans Paul. “A busy venue, good food and a great experience. That’s what it’s all about.”
Steakhouse Carnal
Steakhouse Carnal has been a fixture in Maastricht for thirteen years. What started as an exciting adventure of two young friends grew into a warm, homely steakhouse where quality and hospitality are key. Co-owner Radu runs the business together with Sandro, his childhood friend and companion. “We wanted to create a place where you eat good meat, in a relaxed atmosphere, without fuss,” says Radu. “Low-threshold, but with high quality.”
Circle South
Kringloop Zuid has been a household name in Maastricht and the surrounding area for years. What started as a second-hand shop has grown into a vibrant organisation with social impact. This is not just about stuff, but about people, stories and opportunities. Every customer and employee brings something unique, and you feel that as soon as you step inside.
Pledge 20
In the heart of Lindeheuvel in Geleen, Pand 20 is an accessible business for everyone in the neighbourhood. What once started as Roel's little chip shop grew into a complete restaurant with a lunchroom, takeaway counter and cosy seating areas. Together with Chantal, he now runs a popular place where regular customers and new faces meet every day. “We definitely wanted to stay in this neighbourhood. We wanted to keep that familiar feeling, even in larger premises,” says Chantal.
Tastemaker Botterweck
Tastemaker Botterweck has been a trusted name in Valkenburg for decades. What once began as a modest bakery has grown over the years into a place where craft, experience and hospitality come together. Ferry Philippi, now the fourth generation in the family business, proudly recounts that history. “My grandfather came to Valkenburg from Mechelen and was able to take over a bakery here. From a bakery it became a shop, from a shop a lunchroom. Eventually I took over from my mother.”
Restobar America
Restobar America, located in the heart of Valkenburg, is a place where everyone feels welcome. Whether you come for a cup of coffee, a slice of vlaai (fruit tart), an extensive lunch or a delicious three-course menu, at Didi and Roel's you will experience hospitality in every sense of the word. “We deliberately call it a restobar,” says Roel. “It's accessible, but with a restaurant quality that we want to convey. Everyone is welcome, for every occasion and every budget.”
Bie Geurten Lunchroom
In the heart of Valkenburg, Daan Geurten and his brother Jim run the successful Lunchroom Bie Geurten. It is a welcoming place where you are served quickly, eat well and immediately feel at home. “Young and old alike know where to find us,” says Daan. “We often receive compliments about the service, the portions and the fact that it is not too expensive. That's the best thing you can hear, isn't it?”
Grand Café New Brown
Grand Café Nieuw Bruin is a household name in Maastricht. In a lively spot where visitors, locals and tourists pass by every day, Jody, Levi and their team know how to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. “We are a cosy, accessible all-round catering establishment,” says Levi. “Older guests, families with young children, regular coffee drinkers or tourists, everyone finds their place here.” Jody adds: “Nothing is too much for us. If someone comes in with a pram or wheelchair, we simply make room. It really is an accessible place where everyone feels at home.”
Café Sjiek
Wouter Houten is no stranger to the Maastricht hospitality industry. He has run restaurant Prix de Rome with his girlfriend Luca for almost nine years. Since January, they have also owned Café Sjiek. They consciously chose Roltex for both businesses. "At Prix de Rome, we first got to know Roltex. We liked that so much that choosing Sjiek was actually a matter of course."
Momus
For 20 years, Albert Delboeuf has been at the helm of Momus, an iconic hospitality company on the Vrijthof Square. Together with his sons Arlon and Janneau, he gives the family business a contemporary interpretation. While Arlon focuses on the restaurant and Janneau found his passion in a high-end cocktail bar, Albert himself takes care of hospitality and contacts with regular guests. "I've been doing this work for forty years and I especially like being among people still," he says.
Van Wijck
Jaap van Wijck has been running his catering business since 2017, first in Wycker Brugstraat and now in a beautiful location in Sint-Pieter. Here he serves all-day breakfast, lunch and evening private parties. Van Wijk stands for hospitality, quality and a relaxed experience for the guest.
Monte Nova
On the beautiful Sint-Pietersberg is Monte Nova: a brasserie with mini-golf course and room for over 200 guests. With 120 seats outside and 90 inside, it is a bustling meeting place, especially on weekends and summer days. Marco van Wunnik and his team run the place with a passion for hospitality and an eye for efficiency.
Pub Henry VIII
Pub Henry VIII in Valkenburg is not just another catering establishment. It is a place where everyone feels at home. From young to old, student to director, regular regulars to casual passers-by: the pub brings people together. "Sometimes it even feels more comfortable here than at home on the couch," says one of the owners, laughing. It is that living-room atmosphere, combined with quality and diversity in the cuisine, that makes Pub Henry VIII unique.
Parkstad Limburg Theatres
Together, we bring theatre life in the Mining Region to full bloom. Based on this conviction, Parkstad Limburg Theatres in Heerlen-Kerkrade and the Toon Hermans Theatre in Sittard-Geleen are joining forces intensively. Since the summer of 2023, the three theatres will jointly take care of programming, ticket sales, marketing, technology and... catering.
The Poshoorn
If you want to celebrate life, go to Stadsherberg De Poshoorn. Enjoying drinks, food and accommodation in one of Maastricht's most characteristic buildings. A team of forty hospitality professionals pull out all the stops to make guests, locals, students and tourists happy.
Luster
"When I take over Old Dutch, I'm going to make it my own thing entirely," Loek Rekko told his father in 2019. And so it happened. After a major renovation, he opened the doors of Luster at Vrijthof 10 on 1 May 2020. Not a food and beer pub, as his grandfather Wiel and father Ber ran at this location for decades, but a Mediterranean bistro with small, refined dishes. In an entourage that makes you feel like you're on holiday in southern Europe.
Fun Beach
Every year, about 300,000 people (!) find their way to Fun Beach for a wonderful day at the beach, a fun event at the beach club or a fun group activity. It is great fun in Panheel, even more so in the coming summers. In 2023, the event and leisure park underwent a metamorphosis that visitors cannot fail to notice. "With a new access road and entrance, 1000 extra parking spaces and a larger sunbathing area, we are completely ready for the future," says director-owner Luc van Engelen.
Bie de Veldwachter
Opening your own business at 18 is an achievement in itself. But Solange Bogman (now 21) of brasserie Bie de Veldwachter does not allow herself much time to dwell on it. She has 1001 ideas to spoil her guests. And the systems have to keep up with her pace. Solange: "This creates more peace and overview and better communication on the shop floor. Moreover, thanks to these tools, we can introduce new concepts easily and quickly."
Restaria Ria
For over 35 years, Restaria Ria has been a household name in Susteren. "Since 2007, we have had a restaurant section where we serve 75 guests with passion and experience. Together with Roltex, we looked at how we could cleverly combine the restaurant and cafeteria processes.
Gaiazoo
Automating processes is quite a challenge for GaiaZOO. Precisely because so many different business processes are intertwined. At the entrance, discounts need to be processed easily and quickly, while in the catering industry, on the other hand, it is important for the cashier to be able to punch in combination deals without thinking and to charge customers the right price.
Talentino
"Talents" with a psychiatric or mental disability are given the opportunity to let guests enjoy their culinary and gastronomic talents through care agency Talent. A unique concept that is growing in the beautiful province of Limburg.
Snackpoint Knoors
Because you can easily and quickly place your order at a time that suits you, customers are raving about it. Our team is also very happy with it and can now fully focus on quality and service. The combination with the different kitchen screens really works perfectly. If I had known that it would provide so much peace of mind and overview in advance, I would have done it much earlier.
Parkhotel Valkenburg
Parkhotel Valkenburg switched to MEWS' new reservation system (pms). This was the reason to look for a POS system that could seamlessly link to it. After lesser experiences with other systems, the possibilities of DISH were critically examined. After a satisfied start-up with the cash register, the system was further expanded with screens for the kitchen and bar, the staff planner and the QR system that allows guests to order themselves.
Eatery Aon 't Bat
This special eatery is particularly known for its delicious three-course menu at an attractive price. In summer, guests even queue for a seat on one of the most beautiful terraces on the Meuse. This means the pressure is high for the kitchen and service. And that they must therefore be able to work together efficiently and fluently.
Brasserie Bie de Groeve
Brasserie Bie de groeve was voted the best campsite restaurant in the Netherlands* in 2022. We completely understand why: the rural location, the attractive interior and the culinary, locally-oriented menu are a golden combination. (* by members of camping specialist ACSI)
Clevers
Whoever says Clevers thinks of delicious fresh ice cream. Their artisanal ice cream creations can be sampled in more than 70 varieties at any of the nine branches in southern Netherlands. Quincy Kellerhuis is franchisee of the Einighausen branch, which opened in June 2022.
Mannekenfrit
In this gem 'at the end of the world' (in Belgium, on the border with the Netherlands and Germany), guests are pampered with real Belgian fries, tasty burgers and even tenderloin and steak. On a summer Sunday, MannekenFrit receives as many as 400 to 500 customers. 'I wouldn't be able to achieve those numbers if I didn't have the screens, hand terminals and till from Roltex,' says entrepreneur Yannic Maraite.
Levanto group
LEVANTOgroep is a care organisation that helps people participate in society. Participants are supported in living, working and learning, such as in Brasserie Kasteel Wijnandsrade. Here, they work with Roltex cash registers. Koen Brouwers, Application Manager AFAS: 'Roltex was chosen because DISH could be linked to AFAS, our accounting package. And that works brilliantly!'
Puccini
Italian Restaurant Puccini has been a household name in Maasmechelen for 25 years. Cafer Onem started serving there as a twenty-something and took over the business in 2012. In August 2022, he moved to brand new premises across the street. A good time to upgrade his POS system.
Padel Power Club Limbricht
Padel is hot. Since the opening of Padel Power Club in Limbricht in September 2022, membership has skyrocketed. With 4 padel courts, 2 smashcourt courts and a revamped canteen (which is better called a grand café), everything has been pulled out to create a lively sports park. "We choose top quality in everything. Also in our systems," says hospitality manager Milan Ruber.
Patisserie Lemmens
Patisserie Peter Lemmens is a household name in Limburg - and far beyond. The flans, cakes, bonbons and sandwiches are made with only the best, natural ingredients, as much as possible from local soil. You won't find an orange tompouce here. But you will find fresh fruit, lots of fresh fruit, the best butter and refined toppings. Lemmens is a traditional company with four branches, two of which have lunchrooms, and 70 employees. Supported by the right cash register, planning and administration systems from Roltex.
Coffeelovers
At Coffeelovers, every cappuccino is carefully and lovingly shaped by an in-house trained barista. And you can taste that! The tenth branch of the Limburg subsidiary of coffee roaster Blanche Dael will open in Heerlen in spring 2023. Every cup of coffee here is custom-made and the systems have to match that.
Wine bar Vicini
For a delicious glass of wine, tasty bites and friendly encounters, Geleen's Vicini is the place to be. This wine bar with terrace has been run by friendly couples Angelique & Rene and Kevin & Maurice for five years. The atmosphere can be described as "pub meets Ibiza", in other words: cosy and hip.
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