By: Grace Lee-Weitz
September 30, 2021
With three locations across Chicago, the CPG Restaurant Group operates a series of unique concepts including two Cheesie’s Pub & Grub grilled cheese restaurants and the Whiskey Business craft whiskey bar.
Operating several establishments each with their own variety of food, brunch, drink, and craft beer menus poses its own unique set of challenges. Mainly, each location needs to constantly maintain and update a rotating series of menus. Furthermore, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPG Restaurant Group wanted to find a secure, touchless way to display its menus to consumers.
For the last three months, the CPG Restaurant Group has been leveraging Untappd for Business’ QR codes and digital menus to help organize and implement each location’s drink and food menus while simultaneously providing a safe, contactless way for patrons to view what they can order. Partnering with Untappd has provided a comprehensive, easy-to-use solution for all three of the CPG Restaurant Group’s concepts.
With over 45K menu views at Whiskey Business and both Cheesie’s Pub & Grub locations combined, the CPG Restaurant Group reports that their experience with Untappd for Business has been overwhelmingly valuable. The Untappd for Business software has helped improve their bottom line and reduced printing and labor costs.
We sat down with Tony Contri, CSG Chief Operating Officer, and Juliette Driscoll, CSG Marketing Director, to chat about running a business that brings out the kid in adults, the importance of operating digital menus in a post-pandemic climate, and how Untappd for Business’ QR codes have helped Cheesie’s and Whiskey Business run easy-to-update, safe, streamlined digital menus.
What We’ll Cover in This Piece:
What is Cheesie’s Pub & Grub and Whiskey Business?
Grace Weitz: First, for those who don’t know, can you describe Cheesie’s Pub & Grub and Whiskey Business?
Tony Contri: Cheesie’s is a strictly grilled cheese restaurant that is trying to bring back the kid in everyone, with an emphasis on the 1980s and 1990s. It’s a fun, comfortable, relaxed environment. It takes your childhood favorites and puts them into grilled cheese: chicken tenders, jalapeno poppers, french fries, [and more].
Whiskey Business is a very approachable 1980s- and 1990s-themed whiskey bar. We do whiskey right. Rather than having a thousand whiskeys on the shelf, we bring you back to a simpler, happier, fun time, with high-energy music and a 3,000-square-foot rooftop. We’re always trying to be creative and have fun.
How did Untappd for Business' QR codes help?
GW: What problem were you looking to solve with the Untappd QR codes?
TC: Pre-COVID, we just printed menus. Then, we got a subscription to something that posted PDFs online, but every time we wanted to change a PDF it took a day or two before it went live. It was convenient but slow. We needed one PDF for drinks, one for the food menu, one for brunch. It got out of control.
With Untappd’s QR codes, we found a streamlined [strategy]. One QR code [takes you to] all the information right away. It’s instant.
GW: With that in mind, how did the Untappd QR codes fit into the day-to-day operational model at Cheesie’s Pub & Grub and Whiskey Business?
TC: We’re changing so many things constantly, running out of products, etc., so that was our biggest priority when we jumped in [with Untappd]. It’s nice to be able to have software that we could implement right on the fly to keep things up to date for the customer without reprinting QR codes and menus. It has a very easy user interface. We could update things without having to reprint or go back to the drawing board.
We appreciate and enjoy that [Untappd] is a more convenient place to drop all of our menus where people can read them.
GW: What have been the specific advantages to using Untappd’s QR codes and digital menus?
TC: We’ve saved on printing costs and definitely on labor costs. From an administrative perspective, changing the menus is so much easier. Communication [amongst our staff] has improved because we’re able to 86 items pretty quickly or change a beer on the fly.
Juliette Driscoll: That has been such a blessing. It’s wonderful, particularly for me.
TC: We’ve sold a lot more of our whiskeys at Whiskey Business because the whiskey list is a lot easier to access and people can actually see what we have on there. We have 115 bourbon whiskeys, so people are doing more suggestive ordering rather than just ordering what they came in to drink.
JD: Our whiskey sales have increased by fifty percent for Whiskey Business and Cheesie’s combined since we launched with Untappd.
What other Untappd for Business featues does Cheesie’s Pub & Grub utilize?
GW: Based on the success of Untappd’s QR codes, will you be implementing other features?
JD: Yes! We’re going to start implementing digital menu boards on TVs in about a month. Overall, it’s the same approach based on what we’ve experienced with ease of use [with the QR codes]. We’re hoping for some more interaction with Untappd as well. If we can get that interaction, hopefully we can increase the amount of craft beers we have at Cheesie’s and maybe even have some tap takeovers and events to throw up on the digital signage as well.
Other Content You May Enjoy
Trivia nights have become an incredible marketing strategy for bars, restaurants, and breweries to draw in crowds and engage with new customers. With the recent collaboration between Geeks Who Drink, Timeplay, and the iconic television show Jeopardy!, businesses now have an exciting opportunity to host the Jeopardy! Bar League. This partnership combines the global brand recognition of Jeopardy! with Timeplay’s cutting-edge technology and the fun of live trivia from the experts at Geeks Who Drink.
In this piece we’ll cover what this new collaboration between these two trivia powerhouses is and how you can bring this unique experience to your venue.
Read More
In today’s world, both websites and social media platforms are crucial for a brewery, bar, or restaurant’s online presence. However, consumer habits show distinct preferences for each, depending on the context of their search or interaction.
In this guide, we’ll go over the basics, walk you through how to leverage these tools effectively, and show you how understanding these trends can help your venue better meet your customers’ expectations.
Read More
As a restaurant, bar, brewery, or any venue with a food and beverage program, having a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
No matter the size of your business, your new potential customers often interact with your website first—and first impressions matter.
In this piece, we’ll explore the top website trends shaping the online presence of hospitality businesses in 2025. These trends will help your venue stand out and attract more customers while creating a unique and modern experience to establish the perfect guest experience from start to finish.
Read More
For bar owners, hospitality managers, and small business owners, selecting the right gin brands is more than just filling the shelves—it’s about curating a distinctive customer experience. Gin has soared in popularity, becoming a staple of modern cocktail culture. With its complex botanical infusions, gin offers versatile, memorable flavors that can attract a wide range of customers. But with so many choices available, which brands should you prioritize to bring out the best in your gin menu?
This guide explores the seven best gin brands that have proven themselves through quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. By understanding what makes each brand special, you and your staff will be better equipped to create a standout gin selection that delights your patrons, reinforces your brand’s reputation with a robust gin drinks menu, and helps you continue crafting classic and innovative gin cocktails.
Read More
Gin has steadily reemerged as a must-have spirit in the bar industry, known for its botanical complexity and versatility in cocktails. For bar owners, hospitality managers, and small business owners, understanding the classic gin cocktails can help elevate your cocktail offerings and attract a diverse clientele who value well-crafted drinks. A thoughtfully curated gin cocktail menu speaks to tradition and sophistication while allowing for creative, seasonal variations that keep customers engaged.
In this guide, we’ll explore the five best gin cocktails, each with a distinct history, preparation technique, and customer appeal. From refreshing to spirit-forward, these cocktails will provide a foundation for any gin-focused menu and cater to a broad range of tastes, giving your customers more reasons to return.
Read More
With its distinct botanical blend and refreshing qualities, gin has become a staple for many bars and restaurants. But what exactly is gin made out of? Understanding gin’s ingredients helps you better appreciate its complexity, talk knowledgeably with patrons, and craft memorable gin cocktails that keep customers returning. From the primary botanical—juniper—to unique, region-specific ingredients, this guide will break down the essential elements that make gin such a versatile spirit. We’ve tailored this article to help you make informed choices when building or expanding your gin drinks menu.
Read More
