How Fabrika Closed 300 Checks in 10 Minutes Thanks to sunday
Fabrika, one of Philadelphia’s most unique dining and entertainment venues, is known for its immersive dinner shows and vibrant ambiance. With nearly 300 guests per night on a busy evening, seamless service is not just a goal—it’s a necessity. That’s where sunday came in.
We spoke to the Fabrika team about how sunday has radically simplified their operations, empowered their staff, and enhanced both the guest and server experience. The results? Remarkable.
From Chaos to Control: Streamlining Large-Format Closings
Managing service for hundreds of guests in a high-energy, show-based environment is no small feat. Before sunday, closing checks was a logistical nightmare.
“When it is time for the show to end and all of these checks to close within 10-15 minutes of one another, it created chaos. You have a handful of servers, let’s say 10 to every 20 guests. The process was clunky. Everybody wanted to leave at once.”
sunday completely changed that. By enabling QR code payments directly at the table, the venue eliminated bottlenecks at closing time:
“Sunday helped streamline that whole process, which was truly remarkable. The effect was immediately positive.”
Guests now complete their payments quickly and intuitively—without waiting for a server. The result? A smoother exit, happier customers, and relieved staff.
From the guest’s point of view, sunday doesn’t just speed things up—it feels natural and easy.
“For guests that close with Sunday, I’d say that the vast majority of them enjoy the process because it completes the service quickly. You can’t really put a price on that kind of convenience.”
Even though guests might not know how much time sunday saves, they feel the difference. The simplicity and clarity of the payment flow keep the experience positive all the way through:
“It is just another step to complete the process, but the fact that it is a simple one… makes all the difference. We see people leave with smiles on their faces.”
Tip Uplift That Motivates the Team
Perhaps one of the most measurable—and impactful—benefits of sunday at Fabrika has been the dramatic increase in tipping.
“Before Sunday, we were averaging around 18–22%, with 20% being standard. Now it is somewhere in the 29–34 percentile.”
That’s a 40–70% increase in tips, which has fueled stronger motivation and better morale among the team:
“Monetary perspectives for staff are the ultimate incentive for productivity, so it’s had a huge impact on my staff. Huge.”
Even better, closing time is now stress-free:
“When the night is coming to an end and the staff is closing, there is never an issue. Staff is always happy. Tip percentages are high. The process is streamlined.”
Loved by Staff—Even Compared to Other Restaurants
At Fabrika, the team isn’t just satisfied with sunday—they love it. And it stands out even more when compared to restaurants that don’t use it.
“I have a few servers who work in several other restaurants. In those restaurants, they don’t use Sunday, and I’ve actually had several of them go on record saying that they wish that they did.”
sunday’s user-friendly interface, real-time payment tracking, and POS integration (like with Aloha) make it a win for every shift:
“It’s really intuitive, fluid, non-confusing. Anyone could pick up a phone and use the interface… The integration with Aloha has been seamless. The staff absolutely adores Sunday, 100%.”
A Goldmine of Guest Data for Smart Growth
Beyond operations, sunday also delivers marketing value. Fabrika has been able to build a robust customer database using sunday’s email capture tools.
“We now have access to Google Pay emails. We have the option to get extra emails through the Paywall screen. That data is incredibly useful for mailing lists.”
Over two years, sunday helped Fabrika collect more than 1,600 guest emails—an invaluable asset for retargeting and relationship-building.
“It has been incredibly useful for us. The amount of emails we’ve gotten through Sunday’s platform is tremendous.”
A True Partnership, Not Just a Product
What makes sunday different isn’t just the tech—it’s the people behind it. For Fabrika, sunday has become a trusted ally in their day-to-day operations.
“Working with Sunday has been one of the most progressive things for my business since I’ve opened. I have not really found a partner that I trust or appreciate as much as I appreciate the Sunday team, and I mean that sincerely.”
“It is a wholesome company that’s there for you whenever you need them, and we plan on using them for the near future and the distant future as well.”
Ready to do like Fabrika?
sunday is the simplest way to give guests more control, free up your staff, and earn more five-star reviews—every single day.
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