This wasn’t their first rodeo
For Justin Rees and his crew, Bungalow Social wasn’t just another bar to add to the list. It was the culmination of years spent dreaming, experimenting and learning what works. A mid-century beach house fantasy set in a converted woodworking shed in Dunsborough – laid-back, charming, and serious about its sourdough. The vibe is sunshine, vinyl, and lo-fi wine. The crowd? Locals, tourists, and anyone with a soft spot for porchetta and a crisp Montepulciano.
It had the flavour, the following, and the firepower. What it didn’t have was a backend operation built to keep pace with its ambition. The challenge? Managing a seasonal venue with multiple moving parts while keeping the lights on, the team paid, and the vibe alive. They weren’t looking for a boring spreadsheet jockey or a one-size-fits-all system. They needed someone who could walk in, roll up their sleeves, and get how hospo really works.
“We poured our hearts into Bungalow. It’s exactly the bar we always dreamed of running.”
Justin knew he didn’t want to repeat the pain points from previous venues. So when it came to setting Bungalow Social up properly, he turned to someone he knew could handle the load.
Finding someone who actually gets hospo
Justin had known Decimal founder Steve for a while. They’d worked together before, and Justin had seen firsthand what Steve brought to the table – not just technical skills, but real-world experience. It wasn’t just that Steve knew his numbers. It was that he knew hospo. He’d grown up in pubs, seen it all, and knew where the pitfalls were before they became problems.
“Having someone who grew up in pubs and became an accountant – that combo’s gold. Steve understands what actually matters, day-to-day.”
This wasn’t about plugging in software and hoping for the best. Decimal offered a full-spectrum solution designed to meet the specific needs of a high-performing venue with a lot of personality. We helped Bungalow Social work on the business, not in it, introducing tools that actually make sense when you’re running on gut feel and tight margins.
The fix wasn’t one big platform, but a lineup of tools that played nicely together and gave the team the full picture:
- Marketman for ordering and stock
- Tanda for staff rostering and payroll
- Lightspeed for point of sale
- Payso to make it all speak the same language
And the best part? No more fiddling endlessly with tech that only half worked. The tools were there, and so was the support. Decimal made sure the systems kept humming, and when they didn’t, they were always a phone call away.
Gut feel, backed by numbers
Bungalow Social now has a clear view of its next six months and can plan around real data, not assumptions. Whether it’s knowing when to bring on extra staff, invest in stock, or hold tight for the next seasonal dip, they can now navigate it all with confidence. That kind of visibility is a game-changer, especially for a venue that operates in the unpredictable rhythm of regional tourism.
“We now know exactly when to invest in staff or inventory, and when to hold back. It’s night-and-day from how we operated before.”
The systems we implemented are built for speed, accuracy, and hospitality-specific workflows. That means fewer errors, better forecasting, and more time for the things that actually grow the venue. It’s all about time-saving, value for money, and support when you need it most, not just at the start, but continuously.
The ‘call us anytime’ type
Steve doesn’t just drop in, install a system, and ride off into the sunset. He’s the kind of guy who sticks around – answering questions, fixing glitches, double-checking payroll, and making sure everything is still humming a few weeks (or months) later. That’s the difference. In hospo, things rarely go to plan, and support needs to be around if things go sideways, not just when it’s all blue skies and smooth sailing.
“It’s not just ‘push the button and go’. Getting the best out of the system takes time, and Steve’s always there helping us through. That makes a huge difference.”
That kind of ongoing support means they’re not left guessing. Someone’s always watching their blind spots, asking the right questions, and keeping the backend tight. We’ve got the smarts, but more importantly, we’ve got your back.
So what’s changed for the Bungalow Social team?
It still feels like Bungalow Social – sunny, local, loud in the right ways. Behind the scenes, it’s smoother. Cleaner. There’s less guesswork and more clarity. The team isn’t bogged down in admin, and Justin’s not losing sleep over missed invoices or payroll surprises. With Decimal looking after their finances, they have the space to do what they actually love. They know what’s coming, what they need to prepare for, and where the opportunities lie. They’re no longer chasing paperwork or dealing with outdated systems.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t even consider opening another place without Steve and Decimal on board from day one.”
By hospo, for hospo
Midweek afternoons roll into golden evenings. Locals settle in under the breeze blocks with a bottle from the shelf and a few snacks to share. Wine on the shelves, fire in the oven, someone ordering a second round while the music hums in the background.
There’s a kind of comfort in watching it all unfold – the quiet efficiency of a well-run system. From bookings to back-of-house, from rostering to the last round of drinks, the whole thing just… works.
And that’s why Decimal exists. To give hospo operators the tools and insights they need, backed by the support of people who know the industry.
It all starts with the right tools – see what’s in our tech stack.
