In the heart of Pyrmont, nestled in a charming 1840s sandstone cottage, Quick Brown Fox has carved out a distinctive niche between a cafe and a restaurant. Co-owned by siblings Benjamin and Emily Calabro, the eatery has become a beloved fixture in Sydney’s vibrant dining scene.
Their concept? Benjamin coins it “elevated brunch dining”, offering inventive twists on classic dishes, from their savoury potato waffle benedict to their pulled lamb cheese toastie. With over 13 years of hospitality experience, Benjamin and Emily bring their obsession with food and customer service to every plate.
“I wanted to have one of Sydney’s best eateries. That was my goal,” Benjamin reflects. Quick Brown Fox’s journey from a former struggling cafe to a flourishing establishment has been driven by creativity, customer connection, and the support of the right business tools.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Originally named Cafe 22, the venue was facing hardship when the Calabros took over. “We believed that there was a lot of potential in this site,” Benjamin recalls, “and we started Quick Brown Fox.” Their timing was challenging, with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting just months later. As they emerged from lockdown, they decided to implement Square’s Restaurant POS System.
“We looked at everything that we were using and we really wanted to nail and focus our proficiencies,” Benjamin says. “Square enabled us to run seamlessly, from payments through to the restaurant platform – super user-friendly, easy setup. Square’s been great for us.”
Benjamin had observed other businesses using Square and appreciated its simplicity. “Other POS companies are quite complicated – whether it’s the setup, whether it’s offshore, IT support, things like that,” he says. “You can jump online and build a Square Terminal. You can teach someone with no computer acumen how to use Square. I think that’s a beautiful thing.”
Square enabled us to run seamlessly, from payments through to the restaurant platform – super user-friendly, easy setup. Square’s been great for us.”
Benjamin Calabro → co-owner of Quick Brown Fox
Simplifying service for great customer experiences
Quick Brown Fox operates on two fronts: table service and takeaway. For takeaway, it uses Square Register, a dual-screen setup that allows customers to see their orders as they’re entered. Benjamin notes this creates a smoother experience for both staff and customers.
“It’s great from our perspective and theirs because there’s no confusion. You’re getting corrected as you go – ‘Oh no, sorry, that’s wrong’. It just takes the guesswork out of everything, which is lovely.”
For dine-in service, Benjamin prefers a personal touch, encouraging his team to memorise orders and interact directly with customers. This balance of attentive service and technology ensures a seamless experience without sacrificing the personal interaction diners appreciate.
Technology that makes business run better
Technology has been key to Quick Brown Fox’s growth, helping the business scale and run efficiently. Square’s intuitive system allows Benjamin to manage everything from handheld terminals to POS systems and wireless printers with ease.
“It’s super simple. I can do it from a phone; I can do it from my iPad. I don’t need a computer; I don’t need back of house. I don’t need to log on to a laptop or anything complicated. It is so easy,” says Benjamin. “I can add, I can change, I can update my menu on the fly – specials, discounts, whatever it may be. Everything is at my fingertips and it’s fantastic.”
The Calabros are also exploring more tools to refine their operations and stay competitive. According to the Square Future of Restaurants report, 39% of restaurant owners said using business data to understand what customers want was their top priority.
“We’ve just done a year-on-year comparison with customer retention versus new customers. We’re now utilising the back end of Square in a whole new way,” Benjamin shares. “Whether it’s that, or our cover count, or our average spend, or how many transactions we’re doing, we’re really analysing our business and understanding it.” These insights help Benjamin and Emily focus on what’s important and explore what’s next, including the idea of expanding to a second venue.
We’re now utilising the back end of Square in a whole new way. Whether it’s that, or our cover count, or our average spend, or how many transactions we’re doing, we’re really analysing our business and understanding it.”
Benjamin Calabro → co-owner of Quick Brown Fox
Building a strong community through passion and innovation
Even on his days off, Benjamin can’t resist returning to Quick Brown Fox to engage with customers and support his team. “It’s my passion. It’s not work. It’s fun.”
Beyond the eatery, Benjamin values sharing knowledge and support with industry peers. “We need to communicate on all facets. Whether that’s using something like Square to help productivity and efficiencies in the business versus a pen and paper, or just knowing that there are other options out there – it’s important. This makes up the fabric of success.”
Fearless innovation is at the heart of Quick Brown Fox’s approach. In a bold move to launch its new grab-and-go options, the cafe gave away 500 coffees for free, drawing in new customers and solidifying its community presence. It’s this kind of daring spirit that keeps it ahead in a competitive industry.
Whether embracing technology or finding creative ways to delight customers, Benjamin isn’t afraid to push boundaries, and encourages others to do the same. “Ultimately, if people like what you do, they’ll pay. And it means that you get to hang around and you get to provide that.”
