“It’s just easy. It takes the stress off the team, and you’re not locked into contracts.”

Sparky’s is a fast-growing burger brand in Johannesburg. Founded during the pandemic as a dark kitchen concept, this quick service business specialising in burgers and milkshakes has expanded to three stores - Craighall, Melrose, and Bryanston - with a fourth on the way.

As the business grew, owners Michael and Nick realised their old point of sale (POS) system was holding them back. It was complicated, slow to install, and came with high costs and long contracts that didn’t suit a fast-moving business.

“It was so old school,” Michael says. “Every little thing cost more. We needed something easier that just worked.”

When their Yoco sales rep reached out, the timing was perfect. Sparky’s decided to switch to Yoco Counter and Yoco Printers to save time, simplify day-to-day operations, and create a more professional experience for customers.

The challenge

Before adopting Yoco, Sparky’s relied on their previous POS provider, which often created frustration. Installation alone took weeks: technicians laying network cables, setting up screens and keyboards, and delivering training that often fell short.

Day-to-day use brought more frustration. The system was unreliable and frequently went offline mid-trade, forcing the team to keep spare card machines on standby. Reporting was overly complex and cluttered with irrelevant categories, making it hard to get a clear view of sales. And for a fast-paced food business, the limited tools for kitchen workflows and product modifiers were a constant source of friction.

The old setup also came with hefty costs and long contracts.

“Every little thing cost more,” he recalls. “If something went wrong, you’d wait days for help - and still pay for the privilege.”

The solution

Sparky’s first encountered Yoco through their dedicated sales rep, Melissa Barnes. The clean design and straightforward setup were a welcome change.

“There were no cables, no clunky hardware. It’s just easy.”

The setup was quick, and staff training was simple. For Michael, the support stood out. He appreciated having fast responses and a real point of contact when questions came up.

Just as important was the clear pricing. With no monthly software fees or long contracts, Sparky’s could keep costs predictable as they expanded.

For Michael, that simplicity has been the biggest benefit. “Easiness is underrated,” he explains. “It makes everything less stressful.”

The impact

Since implementing Yoco Counter and a Yoco Printer in their stores, Sparky’s has seen a real difference in daily operations. Orders print directly to the kitchen, removing the need for handwritten tickets or verbal calls. The team gets clear, instant slips, which has helped reduce mistakes during busy times.

Reliability has also improved dramatically. Declined payments are flagged straight away, reducing errors and lost sales.

“With our old system, we used to lose money because you wouldn’t know a payment failed,” Michael explains.

The reporting tools are simpler to navigate and help the team reconcile payments faster. Staff prefer the touchscreen over old keyboards and find the system less stressful to use.

For Michael, the modern look has become part of the brand.

“People walk in and see Yoco,” he says. “It feels modern, like you’re part of where things are going.”

Advice to other business owners

Asked what he’d say to fellow entrepreneurs considering Yoco, Michael doesn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely. Go Yoco. It’s reliable, it’s simple, and it puts you at ease.”

He’s already recommended Yoco to other business owners who are tired of outdated systems that create unnecessary hassle. He also values having a direct line to someone who can help.

“It just looks professional,” he explains. “People walk in and see Yoco on the counter - it feels modern, like you’re part of where things are going.”

“It’s just easy,” Michael adds. “It takes the stress off the team, and you’re not locked into contracts. That’s what I like about it.”

Working together on what’s next

Sparky’s has also offered to partner with Yoco to help improve the product further. Michael and his team will be providing feedback as Yoco develops enhanced modifiers and support for a second kitchen printer to make order routing even smoother.

Yoco Counter was built from the ground up with input from business owners, and that collaboration will continue as new features roll out.