The Pancake Parlour Chooses Square for a Modern Transformation

On March 19, 2026, The Pancake Parlour, one of Australia’s most beloved hospitality brands, announced a significant partnership with Square, a leading unified commerce platform. This decision comes as The Pancake Parlour celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking a pivotal moment in its journey of modernizing operations across its 13 restaurants. The move is designed to lay a solid foundation for the next phase of growth for the iconic brand, which has become synonymous with family dining experiences in Australia.

Founded in 1965 after a road trip that inspired its original concept, The Pancake Parlour has built a rich legacy in the food and beverage sector. With its first location opened in Adelaide and later expanding to Victoria, the restaurant has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its customers, while still retaining its core values of good food and warm service.

As The Pancake Parlour has evolved, the integration of new technologies over the years had led to a complex and fractured operational framework. Steven Babo, Head of Strategy at The Pancake Parlour, commented on this transition, stating, “We had built up a fractured tech stack. Our systems weren’t talking to each other, reporting was limited, and it created unnecessary friction for our teams.” Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution, the restaurant sought a unified platform capable of supporting its ambitious growth plans without compromising its established identity.

In a remarkable feat, The Pancake Parlour transitioned all 13 of its locations to Square's platform in just eight days. This consolidation includes the implementation of Square Register, Terminal, and iPads for in-store service, as well as Square Handheld for flexible tableside ordering. Additionally, the Square Kitchen Display System has been introduced to streamline communication between the front-of-house and kitchen teams, while centralized reporting offers real-time insights across all locations.

The partnership with Square has already yielded tangible operational improvements for The Pancake Parlour. Notably, the time required for point-of-sale (POS) training has been drastically reduced from two hours to just 45 minutes. This significant reduction not only lowers onboarding costs but also allows staff to dedicate more time to delivering exceptional customer experiences. As a result, the restaurant has observed improved service flow, better management of peak periods, and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

David Schnabl, Head of Account Management at Square Australia, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “Established brands like The Pancake Parlour require more than a point-of-sale. They need scalable infrastructure, advanced reporting, and an integrated ecosystem that brings everything together.” Square aims to provide the operational control and insights that multi-location restaurants need while ensuring ease of use for frontline teams.

As The Pancake Parlour embarks on this new chapter with Square, Babo expressed enthusiasm for the future, saying, “Square gives us the confidence to grow, innovate, and evolve – without ever losing the heart of what makes The Pancake Parlour special.” The partnership not only reinforces the restaurant's commitment to maintaining its rich heritage but also positions it for sustainable growth in the competitive hospitality landscape.

Square, founded in 2009, has revolutionized the financial landscape for small businesses with its innovative solutions. The company has grown into a comprehensive business platform that empowers sellers of all sizes to thrive in their communities. With its integrated tools for payments, online commerce, staff management, and more, Square remains committed to providing businesses with the freedom to focus on creating memorable customer experiences.

As The Pancake Parlour moves forward, the collaboration with Square promises to usher in a new era of growth and innovation, ensuring that the restaurant continues to be a cherished destination for families and friends for years to come.