Data-Driven Staffing: The Watering Bowl Cuts Labor Costs

Since founder Leslie Paetschow opened its gates in October 2021, The Watering Bowl has become a beloved destination for dog lovers looking to unwind. The 20,000-square-foot fenced-in space is complete with splash pads and pools for furry friends. With a mission to help people remember how to think and love like a dog (“in the moment and unconditionally”), The Watering Bowl has grown from a team of eight to 14, a testament to the love and loyalty of its South Austin community.

But to support their growing business, The Watering Bowl knew they would need specialized software that could help them manage all of their operations’ moving parts. Discover how Gingr helps them optimize staff schedules, automate compliance, and more.

The Challenge: Moving Away From Paper Records

The Watering Bowl is a unique, beloved business in South Austin. However, blending hospitality with pet management created unique operational hurdles that ordinary business management tools aren’t equipped to handle. As the business grew, it was: 

• Stuck in the "dark ages" of relying on pen and paper to manually log and track complex vaccination records.
• Experiencing slowdowns at the gate as new customers tried to register upon arrival.
• Struggling to accurately forecast daily staffing needs, occasionally resulting in excessive labor costs during slow or weather-impacted days.

Gingr’s Solution: A Modern, All-In-One Solution

To support their growing operation, The Watering Bowl turned to Gingr, transforming the business's ability to manage operations and deliver a smooth customer experience. 

With Gingr, The Watering Bowl saw benefits like:

• Smart staffing analytics: Leslie used Gingr’s robust analytics tools to track daily attendance trends against the weather, allowing her to make more accurate, data-driven staffing decisions.
• Simple digital registration: The built-in customer portal allowed pet parents to register and upload their dog's vaccination records online before visiting the park.
• Customizable memberships: The team relies on Gingr’s Subscriptions and Packages feature to create exclusive memberships, rewarding loyal regulars with perks like social media shoutouts and 15% off hot dogs.

"The automatic reminders for vaccinations coming due and built-in marketing tools have been a great step up as well... [We also love] being able to allow new customers to register online and submit vaccination records before coming to the park." — Leslie Paetschow, The Watering Bowl Founder

Results & ROI: Seamless Scaling for a South Austin Oasis

Gingr has helped The Watering Bowl operate more efficiently and continue its mission of bringing joy to dogs and their humans alike. “It has streamlined records management and data for reporting on business performance,” Leslie said.

With help from Gingr, the business is now enjoying:

• Reduced overhead costs: Making staffing decisions based on historical Gingr data has significantly reduced the financial drain of unnecessary labor scheduling.
• Stress-free compliance: Moving away from paper files and using automated reminders and vaccine tracking made The Watering Bowl’s play environment safer while reducing front-desk administrative work.
• Predictable recurring revenue: Launching custom memberships not only fostered a loyal community of regulars but also established a reliable, predictable stream of monthly revenue.

From a simple wish for a beer and a break to a bustling off-leash paradise for pups and people alike, The Watering Bowl is living proof that the best businesses start with a practical idea and succeed with the right tools. 

Ready to see what Gingr can do for your business? Book your demo with Gingr today!