Introduction
Franco’s Italian Carlisle is a well-loved independent restaurant located in the heart of Carlisle city centre. After a recent change in ownership, with Martin Bell taking over from the retiring founders, the restaurant began a new chapter. One that needed a fresh, modern digital presence to match its rich legacy.
Martin approached Toasty Software with a clear goal: to bring Franco’s online identity up to the same high standard as its food and service. From launching a brand-new website to implementing a custom booking system and setting up a full in-house POS solution, we partnered with Franco’s to create a tailored digital infrastructure that supports their daily operations and long-term growth.
Project Goals
From the outset, the objectives were clear and ambitious:
- Give Franco’s a professional, mobile-first website
- Enable customers to book tables online with optional booking fees
- Implement a reliable, modern POS system with full payment integration
- Provide seasonal flexibility for events like Christmas and Valentine’s Day
- Design printed materials and social media graphics to reinforce the brand
Franco’s wanted full control, no reliance on expensive third-party platforms like OpenTable or Quandoo, and no ongoing commissions for every booking. The solution had to be cost-effective, customisable, and local-business friendly.
What We Delivered
Website & Booking System (Powered by Odoo)
We developed a modern, responsive website built around Franco’s brand. Mobile users can easily view the menu, make reservations, and access key information.
Features:
- Fully branded custom website
- Odoo backend with a tailored table booking system
- Real-time availability calendar
- Stripe integration to support booking fees and deposits
- Email confirmations with optional custom messaging
- Admin dashboard for managing upcoming bookings and notes
POS & Payment Integration
To support in-person service, we implemented a robust POS setup using ePOS Now hardware and Square for card payments.
Setup included:
- Touchscreen till
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
- Square card terminal
- Integrated setup with receipt formatting and hardware testing
- On-site setup and staff training
This gave the team a seamless, modern till experience without the limitations of older systems.
Print & Creative Design
Beyond tech, we handled all of Franco’s visual needs, creating a consistent and attractive brand image across mediums.
Deliverables:
- Full menu design (print & digital formats)
- Seasonal posters and flyers
- Custom-designed social media graphics
- Print-ready assets optimised for local printers
Seasonal Customisation
Franco’s runs unique events around key dates, and we built the flexibility to support this.
- Valentine’s Day: Customised booking workflow with limited-time slots
- Christmas: Themed updates to the site with special availability rules
- Fast deployment of changes to support high-traffic periods
Ongoing Partnership
This wasn’t a one-and-done job. We’ve continued to support Franco’s with technical updates, marketing rollouts, and feature improvements. From last-minute changes to seasonal campaigns, Toasty Software is always on call to make sure everything keeps running smoothly.
Results & Business Impact
Our work helped Franco’s:
- Accept hundreds of online bookings, reducing staff admin
- Avoid commission fees from third-party platforms
- Offer customers a smoother, more professional online experience
- Increase seasonal visibility with modern, branded content
- Maintain control of both digital presence and payment flow
The booking system alone has proven invaluable handling peak periods with ease while letting the team focus on running the restaurant.
Client Feedback
“The booking system has been a game-changer. It looks professional, works great, and saves us money. Austin’s been brilliant whenever we’ve needed changes – fast and easy to deal with.”
— Martin Bell, Franco’s Italian Carlisle
Final Thoughts
Franco’s is a perfect example of how local businesses can benefit from affordable, bespoke tech solutions without getting tied up in commission-heavy platforms or rigid systems. At Toasty Software, we’re proud to support businesses like theirs with tools that truly fit.
Want to set up your own system? Contact us here for a free consultation or check out some of our other projects.