How Toast’s Growth Package Helped Oscar’s Keep Guests Coming Back

The Vasquez brothers had always dreamed of opening an authentic Mexican restaurant in their hometown of Olathe, Kansas. In 2017, a few years after graduating from Olathe East, Oscar and Delfino Vasquez fulfilled that dream and founded Oscar’s Authentic Mexican Grill. 

Oscar takes care of most of the cooking, and Delfino handles operations, making a formidable partnership. And in late 2019, Oscar and Delfino added a third member to their team: Toast. “We restaurant owners have many things to do and it feels like it's a true partnership that we have with Toast. You are doing your part, and we're doing our part,” said Delfino.

Oscar’s was not actively looking for a new POS system, but their ears perked up after a Toast representative strolled into their restaurant to discuss a POS system “that was built for restaurants,” said Delfino. Digital ordering specifically was something they knew was increasingly important, and they wanted to get ahead of the accelerating demand for takeout and delivery. They had recognized they were losing precious time taking orders over the phone and needed a better solution. 

Choosing to switch POS systems can be daunting. “We were scared, honestly, because we knew how long it took [to set up our original POS system]. But we took the jump. And it was super easy to work with Toast. We have loved the whole journey from beginning to end,” said Delfino. 

Soon, like everyone else, Oscar’s found themselves in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were grateful they’d gotten a head start on the transition to digital ordering. Oscar’s has since pivoted from mostly dine-in to a 100% takeout business. 

“While we were preparing to set up online ordering, the pandemic hit. It was dramatic. Everything closed and all of a sudden guests were looking for ways to order online. It was perfect timing for us. We were hit less because we had Toast. It was ready to go and guests started using it right away,” shared Delfino.

Shortly after successfully launching with Toast POS and Digital Ordering, Oscar’s took another leap. They started leveraging the power of Toast's Growth Package, launching their loyalty program and leveraging Toast Marketing to better connect with their guests during a time when connection was needed most. 

“We’re not a huge chain of restaurants, and [having our loyalty program] shows we’re keeping up with things that other smaller restaurants often wouldn’t be able to have. People sometimes shop at other places because they get points and rewards. Toast has given us a chance to still be considered,” said Delfino.

Oscar’s partially credits their loyalty program in helping keep strong guest relationships while they transitioned from dine-in to takeout. Using loyalty point balances, they were able to tell when incoming orders were from brand-new guests or deeply loyal regulars.

“We can make sure everything is extra perfect and they have a great experience, [and get them] to come back,” said Delfino. 

One of Oscar’s favorite parts of the loyalty program is the ability to offer double or triple points during slower times of the week. On Oscar’s first promoted double point Tuesday, they saw a 100% increase in sales over previous Tuesdays.

Oscar’s doubles down on their double point days by leveraging Toast Marketing to send their customers emails reminding them of these promotional periods. 

“We try to do double points on times we are not as busy, to encourage customers to come in and get more points. Mondays from 2-4 were not as busy, but bringing email marketing and loyalty program in, it really did make our restaurant a lot busier than we would be on a regular Monday,” he explained.

For Oscar’s, it has been Toast’s email marketing templates that have helped them get the most out of their email marketing efforts which have helped generated $10k in sales over the last 30 days. “Sometimes you start running out of things to say!” said Delfino. “I’m not a marketing professional. Toast keeps up to date with Christmas Day, New Years templates. You have it all there so it’s just about adding our touch like our logo. It really helps.”

Meeting Oscar’s halfway has been exactly what they have needed so they can continue to focus on their other restaurant operations. 

“I spend about 20 or 30 minutes at the beginning of each week to set everything up for the week and we're pretty much set. I don't have to worry about it anymore. It feels like a partnership with Toast. Once set up, Toast takes care of it throughout the week so we can keep the restaurant going and make the food. You really help us focus.”

Oscar’s ability to pivot quickly and continue to connect with their guests has made all the difference for their restaurant. 

“I feel like Toast is the reason why we're still here. It was by far the best decision that we've made as owners and I would not change anything about it.”