Bold Bites Co. is one of Toronto’s latest restaurant success stories. With two locations – one on Richmond Street East and another on Queen Street – the Canadian-owned quick service restaurant (QSR) is proud to serve breakfast, brunch and dinner to hungry Torontonians everyday of the week. By tapping into homegrown restaurant tools like TouchBistro’s POS, Bold Bites has the data it needs to keep guests coming back for more – and they do.
The company was founded in 2024 by David Polny, an experienced professional in the Canadian restaurant franchise industry. Bold Bites blends globally inspired flavors with classic comfort food. Famous for its Egg Drop Sandwiches and Smash Burgers, the restaurant’s menu also features:
- Kimchi Rice Bowls
- Korean Poutine
- Bold Bao Buns
- Craveable Smoothies
Read on to find out how the business powered up its POS system in order to scale and streamline operations.
Challenge: From Guesswork to Game Plan
Bold Bites was built on decades of experience in the restaurant industry, a passion for fresh ingredients, and a dedicated team. Because of this perfect recipe, the restaurant quickly became popular, with traffic increasing every day. As the brand’s popularity grew, Bold Bites began to face the growing pains of an expanding business.
“Our old POS system was basically stuck in the Stone Age,” says Elaine Polny, President, Strategic Growth of Bold Bites Co. “No real-time tracking, no usable reports, and no way to analyze what was working.”
This lack of reliable insight made it difficult to monitor menu sales and peak traffic times, impacting marketing and staffing decisions. The team had plenty of experience, but in order to scale, it also needed data.
“We were constantly flying blind,” says Elaine. “Reordering supplies felt like guesswork, and reconciling sales was time-consuming and error-prone. When things got busy, the system didn’t help. It just added to the chaos.”
Bold Bites needed a POS upgrade, and TouchBistro’s POS fit the bill. The founders were already familiar with TouchBistro and its capabilities. As a Canadian restaurant software company, TouchBistro understands the nuanced challenges and opportunities involved in running a quick service restaurant (QSR) in Canada’s competitive market. With local customer support and tools tailored for high-volume, fast-paced kitchens, TouchBistro was well-equipped to help Bold Bites reach its goals.
The Solution: A Digital Transformation
Once its TouchBistro POS system was in place, Bold Bites was delighted with the results. “TouchBistro gave us the visibility we were missing,” says Elaine. “It helps us make smarter, faster decisions.”
TouchBistro’s built-in reporting and analytics functionality are instrumental for Polny. “They provide real-time insights into sales, peak hours, and team performance, all in one place,” she says. “This information helps us make smarter decisions on staffing, menu planning, and promotions. For a fast-paced, all-day concept like Bold Bites, this clarity is a game-changer.”
When ingredients ran low, the team could track item-level sales and order exactly what they needed. “It’s helped us see when certain items shine, like our smoothies during mid-afternoon slumps, and helped us optimize staffing based on traffic patterns,” says Elaine. “When we saw that Açaí bowls were unexpectedly popular on weekdays, we adjusted our promo strategy to push weekday bundles. That small shift made a noticeable impact on weekday sales. Data talks, so we listened.”
The restaurant also implemented TouchBistro’s Online Ordering solution, helping to further boost its efficiency. Instead of manually bouncing between multiple platforms, all orders were routed directly from its TouchBistro POS to its Online Ordering platform, reducing delays and miscommunications between staff members. “It gives customers a seamless way to order, especially when paired with QR code promos,” says Elaine. “We’ve seen a steady lift in online sales as a result.”
Recently, Bold Bites has begun experimenting with TouchBistro Marketing, which has proven to be a “helpful addition to their toolbox” and they are excited about the possibilities. The company is also experiencing success with TouchBistro’s Loyalty software, which helps to track customer behavior and reward repeat guests, informing broader marketing efforts. Elaine says that running promos like ‘Free Smoothie with Sign-Up,’ has helped attract more first-time guests.
Results: Stress-Free and Streamlined Service
By partnering with TouchBistro, Bold Bites gained more than a POS upgrade – it gained a foundation for future growth. “Since implementing TouchBistro, our daily operations run more smoothly,” says Elaine. “Orders are moving through faster, there’s less confusion during peak hours, and the ability to access real-time data has helped us start making more informed decisions.”
As the business continues to expand, Bold Bites will be better equipped to support franchisees, as it works to understand trends, traffic, and taste preferences in its own budding markets. “We’re expanding and focused on smart growth,” says Elaine. “TouchBistro has the foundation to support that.”
Ultimately, it all came down to embracing the right tech at the right time. With TouchBistro’s real-time analytics, streamlined ordering, and promotional tools, Bold Bites was able to build a leaner operation and gain a stronger understanding of what drives its business.
“TouchBistro streamlines the chaos for our staff. Orders move faster during busy rushes, errors are reduced, and real-time kitchen tickets keep operations flowing smoothly,” says Elaine. “It also cuts down on the classic “who’s doing what?” moments – everyone knows their role, and the system keeps us synced. Overall, TouchBistro has made things way more efficient and helped our team focus more on the guest experience and less on juggling paper or chasing down orders. Want to see what we’re serving up with all that newfound efficiency? Swing by boldbites.co – your cravings will thank you.”
If you’re looking for an internationally recognized restaurant management system, TouchBistro can help. Contact us to learn why restaurants – from QSRs to fine dining establishments – use TouchBistro to build more efficient teams, keep customers happy, and reduce waste.
Megan is the Content Marketing Specialist at TouchBistro, where she uses her passion for food to write about the restaurant industry. She’s a big “foodie” at heart, and you can always find her enjoying a delicious meal at a restaurant with friends and family, or cooking one up at home. She also loves relaxing with a good book and making progress at the gym.
The right POS should help you increase sales
The right POS should help you increase sales.
