“Reliable EFTPOS is critical, while Qantas Points help us go further for our customers”
This beloved hospitality business earns points on customer card payments and reinvests them to deliver even better food and service.
“There are Italian restaurants everywhere but to feel like you’re enjoying traditional food and Italian hospitality in someone’s home, that’s unique – especially here in Canberra,” says Andrew McFadzean, general manager of The Italian Place, a cosy 45-seat dining room and providore in the inner suburb of Braddon. It’s a recipe that’s working for the four year-old business; revenue has been growing fast since it expanded with a deli, bottle shop, coffee and wine bar two doors down from the original eatery. “The restaurant went gangbusters in the first year; it was one of the hottest spots in town. Then, during COVID we evolved it into the deli and saw there was a market for that, too. So I joined manager and co-owner Tony Lo Terzo and we opened the providore officially in October 2020. It might have seemed like a bold move given the timing but it’s paying off.” Despite a little “economic headwind”, the team is exploring options for a third venue. “We have a great location in Braddon, a lovely mix of offices and residential, so we can tap into both markets. And we have Tony; he’s our unique selling point. He lives and breathes this.”
TURN CUSTOMER EFTPOS PAYMENTS INTO POINTS
Reliable card payments are essential for a hospitality business. That’s why The Italian Place chose Live Payments, receiving bonus points upon sign up and 1 Qantas Point for every $1 processed through Live Payment’s Black terminal. Plus, Live Payments offers faster settlement so funds hit your bank account every business day. “The reliability is absolutely critical to our business. And no lock-in contract is always an important benefit when you’re trying a new provider.”
USE POINTS, SAVE CASH
McFadzean and his team earn up to three million Qantas Points a year, mostly through Live Payments, and reinvest them back into the business to save money. “Managing cash flow is always front of mind. We’ve purchased new iPads from Qantas Marketplace for the ordering system at the deli and we can buy a huge range of tech and appliances without having to dip into cash reserves. It’s a no-brainer. We also use points to shop at Qantas Wine and it lets us introduce new and interesting wines to our customers. I also run a winery – so I’m quite picky – but the Qantas Wine selection is great. We’ve used about 700,000 points on wine recently.”
GET TWICE THE RETURNS FROM WORK TRIPS
Travel fuels inspiration for growth and exploring the hospitality scene in other cities is essential for product development. It also doubles as a well-earned break for the owners. “Finding money for non-core business activities can often be hard,” says McFadzean. “Using Qantas Points to travel and go out and look at opportunities beyond your business, without having to reach into your cash pocket, makes the decision so much easier.”
Important Information
A business must be a Qantas Business Rewards Member to earn Qantas Points for the business. A one-off joining fee of $89.50 applies, is inclusive of any applicable GST and may be varied by Qantas from time to time, without notice, in its absolute discretion. Membership and Qantas Points for business are offered under the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions and earning thresholds apply.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, live and fly.
We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.