Key Takeaways
- Pok Pok Junior has reduced its ordering team from five to three with Oolio's QR code ordering system, giving staff more time to focus on service and creating a better dining experience.
- By automating manual processes and having orders in one system, the team now saves 3 to 4 minutes per order, allowing them to focus more on delighting customers.
- QR ordering has boosted average order value by using visuals that entice customers to explore new dishes and easily add extras to their meals.
About Pok Pok Junior
Since 2017, Pok Pok Junior has brought authentic Thai flavours to Melbourne’s CBD. For owner Trish Tan, hospitality goes beyond food—it’s about creating joy and connection.
"We love serving food and making people happy with what they’re eating," says Trish.
The name Pok Pok Junior comes with its own story. “'Pok Pok' is the sound made by a mortar and pestle," explains Trish, highlighting the authenticity of the restaurant’s roots.
The Challenge
Running a bustling restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD, especially during the busy lunch rush, presents its challenges. Pok Pok Junior serves a mix of dine-in customers and delivery orders and managing these multiple channels had become a daily struggle.
From juggling multiple screens for in-store and online orders to keeping track of delivery platform subscriptions, Trish and her team found themselves spending valuable time, money and resources navigating between different systems. This meant delays, increased chances of errors, and added stress during peak hours. The cost of managing multiple subscriptions and the time required for switching between screens and systems added to the strain.
"I needed a POS system that could simplify processes and let us focus on our customers, without adding extra costs," Trish explains.
The Oolio difference
Adopting Oolio’s all-in-one POS solution has been a turning point for Pok Pok Junior. From integrating delivery platforms to implementing QR ordering, Oolio has empowered the restaurant to operate more smoothly while delivering an even better personal touch.
Pok Pok Junior’s tailored solution includes:
- POS and pay
- Online ordering
- QR ordering
- Integrated delivery platforms
- Reporting
Cutting costs, not corners
Before adopting Oolio’s QR code system, Pok Pok Junior relied on five staff members to manage orders during peak hours. Now, with QR code ordering, only three staff members are needed, significantly reducing labour demands.
"Now, we only need three staff members for orders," says Trish. "That’s a saving of two employees time, significantly saving resources while maintaining excellent service standards."
Trish is adamant that the technology isn’t about replacing people but about enabling them to focus on what they do best: looking after customers. For her, that’s the true heart of hospitality. By automating repetitive and time consuming tasks like taking orders and processing payments, Oolio’s tech gives team members more time to connect with guests, focus on complex orders and improve the dining experience.
Making everyday tasks faster and easier
Oolio’s features have simplified their online ordering process. Previously, they juggled multiple screens—one for Uber Eats, another for DoorDash, and a third for in-house orders. With Oolio, all orders now flow seamlessly into a single platform.
“This change has saved us a lot of time,” explains Trish. “We no longer have to check each order, manually input it into the system, and send it to the kitchen. That’s easily a three to four minute saving per order.”
How visual menus are boosting order values
Oolio’s QR ordering system has also led to a noticeable increase in average order value. Customers browsing visually appealing menus are more likely to add extras like fried eggs or sides and order more.
"People eat with their eyes, and the QR menus showcase our dishes beautifully," says Trish. "Our chicken rice and khao soi noodle dishes have never been more popular."
Since introducing QR ordering, Pok Pok Junior has seen certain dishes double in orders. The enticing photos encourage customers to explore new options they might have overlooked and add additional items, increasing their overall orders and boosting order value.
“People actually order more, because we can introduce a lot of add ons, instead of ordering plain noodles, they will order add fried egg, add extra veggies etc.”
Data-driven insights and simplified reporting
Oolio has transformed how Trish and the team manage reporting. “End-of-month reports used to take up so much time, but now I can pull up all the data I need from home after closing,” Trish shares.
With easy access to detailed sales data, the team has been able to make better decisions—refining their menu and streamlining processes to serve their customers more effectively.
Empowering growth
By partnering with Oolio, Pok Pok Junior has found a way to embrace technology to improve their business. Trish and her team now have the tools to spend more time connecting with customers dining in whilst delivering fast service for online ordering.
"Oolio has been more than a POS system—it’s a partner that supports our vision and helps us grow without changing who we are," Trish reflects.
With Oolio by their side, Pok Pok Junior is proof that small businesses can thrive by combining passion, tradition, and the right tools to succeed in a competitive market.
