# Brewery Flourishes with NextMe's Virtual Waiting Room > Spring is in the air, people are flocking to local breweries, and businesses with queue management systems are thriving amongst the crowds! Source: https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/brewery-flourishes-with-nextmes-virtual-waiting-room/ [Blog](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/) · [Customer Stories](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/) Spring is in the air, people are flocking to local breweries, and businesses with queue management systems are thriving amongst the crowds! ![Brewery Flourishes with NextMe's Virtual Waiting Room](https://nextmeapp.com/_astro/pryes-brewing-waitlist.YAMBw4p0_ZKj190.webp) - **Customer Stories** Category - **March 31, 2026** Updated - **3 min** Reading time _“The stimulus-fueled economy is rebounding and Americans are again spending on shopping, traveling, and eating out.”_ - [CNN Business](http://lite.cnn.com/en/article/h_c165fc8296f8dbeb223fe0cc656cac76) _“The economy is just starting a boom period, where second-quarter growth could top 10%, and 2021 could be the strongest year since 1984.”_ - [CNBC News](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/09/the-economy-is-on-the-cusp-of-a-major-boom-and-economists-believe-it-could-last.html) Capacity limits are lifting, spring is in the air, and people are flocking to local businesses that offer outdoor seating. With a large part of the population vaccinated and the warm weather prompting a sense of comfort, patios are expected to be all the rave. Breweries, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are seeing an influx in business, and those utilizing virtual waiting rooms to help run the show are benefiting. Now that your customers are stepping back into the groove of things, it’s important to ensure they have the best experience possible. One way to do this is by implementing innovative solutions that offer up-to-date data, queue management, marketing opportunities, and most importantly, customer satisfaction. The technology is so easy to use it makes Baby Boomers and Gen Xers feel as confident as Millennials when they engage with the software. Pyres Brewery in Minneapolis, MN is a perfect example of a business that’s booming after the introduction of NextMe’s virtual waitlist platform. The taproom and outdoor beer garden are flourishing with the new change. Alex Krajec, the Bar Manager, calls it an _“immediate change for the better. Now the first interaction with our guest is positive, even when there’s a wait. Guests are happy and the hosts are happier than ever.”_ ## Local brewery benefits from NextMe’s virtual waitlist app More is better, until the moment more becomes too much and supply falls victim to exuberant demands. With increasing popularity, people are drawn to locations that provide quality craft beers. And Pyres Brewery is no exception. With more people walking through their doors, it has been inevitable that more people are having to wait, and let’s face it, no one likes waiting. So how has Pyres Brewery been managing the crowds in a way that not only encourages more business, but makes everyone happier throughout the process? They use the NextMe app. NextMe’s [self check-in](https://nextmeapp.com/self-check-in/) feature allows users to fill out a custom intake form prior to admittance so they can better communicate their preferences. Questions such as whether they would like to sit inside or outside can be addressed, as well as number of guests, seating requirements, and several other pertinent details. The [virtual waiting room](https://nextmeapp.com/virtual-waiting-room/) allows guests to view the menu from their phones so the second a space is available, they can order their Main Squeeze Blonde Ale or Peace Offering Cold Press Stout. It also can be set up to communicate specials or when a new keg has been tapped to keep patrons engaged with up-to-date information while they wait. The brewery has been experiencing huge rushes, especially on the weekends. Before NextMe, they used Google Sheets to organize their waitlist manually. This was an incredibly tedious and time-consuming process that required them to individually call people when their table was ready. Now the NextMe app does this for them. It tracks their queue, relates real-time results, and communicates directly to the customer’s phone once it’s their turn to come in. So far it has been an absolute success and Ryan Krajac, the Bar Manager, says, _“Overall a better experience for everyone.”_ Which is exactly what every thriving business wants to be able to say at the end of the day. ![Two Pryes Brewing Company pint glasses of beer clinking against a background of warm out-of-focus lights](https://nextmeapp.com/_astro/nextme-blog-1200x630-v3artboard-1-copy-3-1.4uJT-zQa_Z1kX102.webp) Waitlist technology has become one of the pandemic’s silver linings. It’s proven to be a viable solution for achieving new standards, connecting clients to valuable information, and helping everyone feel more comfortable as they re-engage with their communities. Breweries, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are benefiting from how quick, easy, and helpful the app truly is. Pyres Brewery being just one example of success. If you’re interested in learning how NextMe’s virtual tools can streamline your business’s operations in a safe and efficient manner, [book a demo](https://nextmeapp.com/request-demo/) or [contact us](https://nextmeapp.com/contact-us/). Together we can form long-lasting solutions that promote positive experiences for everyone involved. ## Frequently asked questions ### How can a brewery taproom handle a weekend waitlist without spreadsheets? Before NextMe, Pyres Brewery tracked its waitlist in Google Sheets and called each guest when their table was ready. Now the app tracks the queue, shows results in real time, and texts guests directly when it's their turn to come in. Staff no longer spend the rush making phone calls. ### Can guests tell us whether they want to sit inside or on the patio? Yes. With self check-in, guests fill out a custom intake form before they're seated. You can ask whether they'd like indoor or outdoor seating, how many are in their party, any seating requirements, and other details you need. ### What can brewery guests see while they wait for a table? The virtual waiting room lets guests read the menu on their phone, so they're ready to order the moment a spot opens. It can also show specials or announce a newly tapped keg, keeping guests up to date while they wait. ### Is a virtual waitlist hard for guests to use? No. Guests join from their own phone and get a text when it's their turn, with no app to download. It's simple enough for guests of every generation to use. ## More in Customer Stories - [Businesses Using NextMe Benefit From Post-Covid Boom](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/businesses-using-nextme-benefit-from-post-covid-boom/) — Customer Stories · NextME's waitlist app has increased table turns by 286% at Cheeseburger in Paradise, with notifications and a custom Virtual Waiting Room. · March 31, 2026 · 3 min read - [Local Charity Teams up with NextMe for Their Annual Toy Drive](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/virtual-waiting-rooms-queues-charities/) — Customer Stories · See how NextME's digital waitlist app and virtual waiting room helped 1 Village bless 320 kids with gifts while keeping them safe. · March 31, 2026 · 2 min read - [Small Business Spotlight - Gaslight Diner](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/small-business-spotlight-gaslight-diner/) — Customer Stories · Louisville’s Gaslight Diner uses NextMe’s check-in widget and virtual waiting room so guests can wait for a table in their cars instead of in line. · March 31, 2026 · 1 min read