Desafíos

Inventory took hours or days, draining time and impacting efficiency.
CALA struggled with stock inconsistency, hurting profitability.
Without margin tools, CALA faced pricing challenges and losses.

Metas

Reduce inventory tracking time, making it faster and more efficient.
CALA struggled with stock inconsistency, hurting profitability.
Accurately calculate margins to improve pricing and control.

Antes de usar WISK, diría que el inventario podía tardar entre unas pocas horas, es decir, entre seis horas y unos días tratando de averiguar números. - Ariana Arzate

Antes de usar WISK, siempre había usado hojas de Excel, hojas de cálculo o incluso una hoja de papel cuadriculada, y todos sabemos lo difícil que puede ser comunicarse con otros administradores y con sus proveedores. - Alec

Antes de usar WISK, diría que el inventario podía tardar entre unas pocas horas, es decir, entre seis horas y unos días tratando de averiguar números. - Ariana Arzate

Antes de usar WISK, siempre había usado hojas de Excel, hojas de cálculo o incluso una hoja de papel cuadriculada, y todos sabemos lo difícil que puede ser comunicarse con otros administradores y con sus proveedores. - Alec

La reticencia hacia WISK se debió a ineficiencias anteriores con plataformas similares. La idea de una transición compleja me frenó.

Tras probar WISK, la reacción fue abrumadoramente positiva. El diseño intuitivo y las funciones integrales del sistema simplificaron nuestro proceso de inventario, reduciendo significativamente el tiempo y el esfuerzo. Convirtió nuestro escepticismo en satisfacción y demostró ser una herramienta valiosa para administrar nuestras existencias de manera más eficaz.

WISK tiene una función realmente interesante en la que puedes poner todos tus ingredientes para hacer un cóctel y te dará un margen sobre el precio que debería tener el cóctel. Supongamos que quieres superarlo o que tienes un presupuesto determinado en mente, puedes especificarlo: oye, en lugar de usar una onza, deberías usar 0.5. Esto hace que sea realmente fácil y fácil de usar en la recepción de la casa, como los camareros y los camareros. Cuando preparamos porciones grandes de cócteles, todo se reduce a proporciones. - Ariana Arzate

WISK tiene una función realmente interesante en la que puedes poner todos tus ingredientes para hacer un cóctel y te dará un margen sobre el precio que debería tener el cóctel. Supongamos que quieres superarlo o que tienes un presupuesto determinado en mente, puedes especificarlo: oye, en lugar de usar una onza, deberías usar 0.5. Esto hace que sea realmente fácil y fácil de usar en la recepción de la casa, como los camareros y los camareros. Cuando preparamos porciones grandes de cócteles, todo se reduce a proporciones. - Ariana Arzate

El problema

CALA Scottsdale's operational challenges stemmed from outdated and inefficient manual inventory management practices. The reliance on Excel spreadsheets, gridded paper, and manual calculations resulted in a lack of accuracy and consistency in tracking inventory, especially for their beverage program.

The inventory process was highly time-consuming, often taking six hours to several days to complete. This inefficiency not only delayed operations but also increased labor costs and drained valuable resources that could have been directed towards enhancing customer experience or other strategic areas.

Moreover, the lack of a streamlined system led to order inaccuracies, including over-ordering and under-ordering products. These discrepancies caused waste, disrupted operations, and made it difficult to maintain optimal stock levels.

Managing cocktail costs and margins also proved challenging without proper tools. Adjusting recipes to align with budgets or ingredient costs was a cumbersome process, further highlighting the inefficiencies of their manual approach.

These issues collectively created an operational strain on the team, emphasizing the need for a user-friendly, automated solution to save time, improve accuracy, and optimize overall workflow.

La solución

WISK helped CALA Scottsdale overcome significant challenges in their day-to-day operations, particularly when it came to managing inventory. Ariana, one of the bar leads, described how their previous system of using Excel sheets and gridded paper was not only tedious but also prone to errors. With WISK in place, those long hours spent tracking and calculating inventory were cut down dramatically, freeing up time for the team to focus on delivering exceptional service.

For a restaurant that sees a high volume of guests, maintaining accurate stock levels is critical. WISK made it easier for the CALA team to see exactly what they had on their shelves and what they needed to order. This helped prevent issues like overstocking or running out of key ingredients, keeping operations smooth and avoiding unnecessary costs.

Cocktail management became simpler as well. The team could now break down every ingredient in their recipes and instantly see the cost and margin for each drink. This insight allowed them to fine-tune recipes and make cost-conscious decisions without sacrificing quality, an essential aspect for a busy bar like CALA’s.

The user-friendly interface was another game changer. Ariana noted how effortless it became for everyone on the team, from bar backs to bartenders, to use the system. Whether preparing large cocktail batches or handling everyday inventory tasks, WISK made everything straightforward and stress-free, enhancing the workflow across the board.

How Did CALA Scottsdale Achieve Inventory Efficiency with WISK?

Ariana explains how WISK has completely transformed the way she approaches inventory management at CALA Scottsdale. She shares, “So when I started using WISK, it just made everything streamlined.” This transformation was particularly impactful given the manual, time-consuming methods they had relied on previously.

The streamlined approach meant that Ariana no longer had to sift through scattered spreadsheets or paper grids to figure out inventory levels. Now, with just a few clicks, she can instantly access detailed information about what’s in stock. Whether she’s planning for future orders or assessing what’s on hand, the integrated system provides everything she needs in one place.

She describes the process as incredibly intuitive. “Anything I need to know, I can just search up what’s in my inventory for when I do my future orders, all that,” she adds. Instead of juggling multiple tools or spending hours trying to reconcile inventory discrepancies, the system consolidates everything into an accessible and efficient platform.

For a restaurant like CALA, where maintaining precise inventory is critical, this level of integration is a game changer. Ariana emphasizes that the system “works perfectly,” reflecting not just on the ease of use but also on how it supports their fast-paced, high-volume operations. The confidence it provides her in inventory accuracy allows her to focus more on creating exceptional guest experiences rather than being bogged down in administrative tasks.

This new way of managing inventory isn’t just about saving time; it’s about empowering the team with the tools they need to run a tighter, more efficient operation. As Ariana puts it, the ability to instantly search and find answers has truly elevated their workflow, ensuring they stay ahead of the demands of a bustling restaurant like CALA Scottsdale.

Some of our wins was cutting our inventory tremendously and also knowing what product we do and don't have.

"Some of our wins were cutting our inventory tremendously and also knowing what product we do and don't have on the shelf, whether that was over-ordering, under-ordering, or seeing where we fell on those levels. WISK has a really cool feature where you can actually put in all of your ingredients to make a cocktail, and it'll give you a margin of what the cocktail should be priced at.", Ariana shares.

For CALA Scottsdale, these wins represent more than just operational improvements—they highlight a shift toward smarter, more efficient management. Cutting inventory times meant the team could focus on what truly matters: delivering outstanding food and drink experiences. With WISK, they gained the ability to see exactly what was in stock at any given moment. This reduced the risk of over-ordering, which ties up capital, and under-ordering, which disrupts service and sales.

The cocktail margin tool added another layer of value. By inputting ingredients, the team could easily calculate precise costs and pricing. This gave them control over their beverage program, ensuring they maintained profitability while staying creative and flexible with their offerings. For a busy restaurant like CALA, this level of visibility and control is invaluable, helping them make informed decisions that directly impact their bottom line.

These changes don’t just make operations smoother—they set CALA Scottsdale apart as a high-volume restaurant that runs with efficiency and precision, ensuring their reputation as a hotspot stays strong.

WISK tiene una función realmente interesante en la que puedes poner todos tus ingredientes para hacer un cóctel y te dará un margen sobre el precio que debería tener el cóctel. Supongamos que quieres superarlo o que tienes un presupuesto determinado en mente, puedes especificarlo: oye, en lugar de usar una onza, deberías usar 0.5.

Alec

Alec

Gerente de restaurante - Cala Scottsdale

CALA Scottsdale's experience with WISK showcases the significant impact that streamlined processes can have on a high-volume restaurant.

With inventory time cut down by nearly 70%, the team now spends less time on manual tasks and more time focusing on what matters most – delivering exceptional service. The ability to maintain better control over stock levels has eliminated issues with over-ordering and under-ordering, improving both operational efficiency and profitability.

Plus, the ability to accurately calculate cocktail margins has ensured that pricing aligns with profit goals, giving CALA a clearer picture of their financial health.

Overall, WISK has helped CALA Scottsdale save time, reduce errors, and boost profitability, making it a vital tool for the restaurant’s continued success.

About

CALA Scottsdale

Cala Scottsdale es un lugar que combina la cocina costera moderna inspirada en el Mediterráneo con un ambiente vibrante en el corazón del distrito de entretenimiento del casco antiguo. Ofrece una experiencia interior y exterior con un bar en el patio de 40 pies, cabañas y un exuberante paisaje. El menú incluye pastas hechas a mano, mariscos frescos, pizzas artesanales y una cuidada selección de vinos y cócteles. Cala es ideal para grandes fiestas y eventos, ya que se centra en la alta satisfacción del cliente y en una experiencia gastronómica de calidad.

Peak behind the curtain: Real-life success stories and case studies

Maurice - Assistant Manager at Flyjin

Maurice, Assistant Manager @ Flyjin

“Before using WISK, we had hesitations due to past unsuccessful experiences with other systems. We often reverted to pen and paper, which required transferring data to Excel, making the process very time-consuming. We started scanning everything, doing the inventory, it went super well, so I was very pleasantly surprised.”

Massimo - General Manager at Lucille's

Massimo, General Manager @ Lucille’s

“It took a lot less time to get everyone on board. They were all open for it because it's an app. They could use their phone. You know, at the touch of our phones, we have everything available. We just scan the item, we go through it all in a sequence, so it's very well organized, everything's well counted, and I think it just really facilitates the time efficiency of everything.”

Loyd - Owner at L'infame Tittle Tattle and La Gargamelle in Montreal

Loyd, Owner @ L’infâme Tittle Tattle and La Gargamelle in Montreal

Before WISK, honestly, inventory was kind of a drag. We had this huge Excel sheet, we have over a hundred products in here, so it's kind of hard to just do inventories. It used to take us about one or two hours every week. Twice a week actually, it was not very accurate with our Excel sheet, but now it takes us like 20 minutes and we're done. And I was kind of surprised it was so user-friendly.