Jon Grayem acknowledges his St. Louis startup, Tabski LLC, is entering a market where there’s already big competition.
As a provider of point-of-sale technology for restaurants, Tabski is going up against brands like Block (NYSE: SQ) and Toast (NYSE: TOST), which have created payment management software used by restaurants.
But while those firms have built their technology with restaurant management in mind, Tabski is taking another approach, Grayem says.
“We’re almost more of a consumer-first platform,” he said.
Founded in 2021 by Grayem, the startup’s CEO, and Chief Technology Officer Filip Djordjevic, Tabski’s technology uses QR codes that allow restaurant customers to order food and drink items from their tables using their mobile device, and also manage and pay their tabs from their phones. While platforms such as Toast and Block's Square charge monthly subscription and processing fees, Grayem said implementation of its QR-code technology is free for restaurants, with Tabski generating revenue through a one-time convenience fee of 75 cents charged to customers when they close their tab.
Tabsk says its software's ordering and payment technology can help restaurants navigate industry staffing shortages while helping to increase check sizes and table turnover by making it easier for customers to purchase more items and allowing them to more quickly close out their tabs.
“Can you think of any other industry where that’s acceptable, where you literally give a stranger your credit or debit card?” he said.
Grayem said barbecue restaurant The Stellar Hog, with locations in south St. Louis and Chesterfield, will be the first to debut Tabski's technology with customers, beginning this week. Grayem said other local restaurants, including Rockwell Beer Co. and Big Daddy’s Soulard, plan to incorporate the technology into their operations.
“We are planning to implement Tabski in the next few weeks," said Rockwell co-founder James Sanders. "At Rockwell, we are always looking for ways to improve our guests’ experience, and if we can do that while working with a local St. Louis startup like Tabski that creates and supports local jobs – it’s a win-win."
Restaurants using Tabski’s QR-code ordering software can manage orders made by customers through display systems that list the incoming orders. The system allows the restaurant to provide updates about the order’s status, such as its estimated delivery time, that are visible on a customer’s phone. Tabski’s technology doesn’t require its restaurant users to use its display systems, Grayem said. Tabski’s QR-code system can be paired to a restaurant’s printing system for establishments that prefer to use paper tickets to manage orders.
While Tabski says its technology has taken a customer-centric approach, it also has the ability to help restaurants manage operations, culling financial data to help restaurants analyze sales statistics.
While restaurants will be the first users of Tabski’s technology, the startup is eyeing a broader customer base. It believes its QR-code ordering is also suitable for entertainment venues, hotels and airports.
Within the restaurant industry, Tabski is the latest venture for Grayem. He also is president of TableCrunch, which has created email marketing software for restaurants. He said connections through TableCrunch will help rapidly build out Tabski’s customer roster. Additionally, Tabski in January will begin a marketing campaign with point-of-sale company Clover, which is integrating its technology.
“I think we’re going to be getting hundreds of leads every month to where we’re going to be having to hire more people,” Grayem said.
Based at 3015 Salena St., Tabski currently has a team of 12 engineers and four local employees. It plans to hire a fifth St. Louis-based employee to help with customer onboarding and support, Grayem said.
While Grayem said Tabski is focused on bootstrapping its operations, the startup has received an investment from TRNXN Co., a payments company focused on serving retail, restaurants and hospitality customers. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. Grayem said TRNXN CEO Paul Hadfield, who he has known for about six years, has helped bring value and expertise to the St. Louis startup.
