At BarTrack, we love spotlighting customers who not only embrace innovation but also inspire others with their vision. We recently sat down with Gerald Peters, General Manager of City Line Bar & Grill in Albany, New York, to hear how BarTrack has supported their journey over the past year.
BarTrack: Gerald, congratulations on 11 successful years! Can you share a little about how City Line Bar & Grill came to be?
Gerald Peters: Thank you! City Line was actually built from another bar that used to be here. After my time with The Standard, I saw the potential for something new in this space. We wanted to create a place with upscale bar food, a lot of Uuniversity involvement, and a menu that blends Asian flavors, Southwest inspiration, and classic favorites. Today, we’re proud to have 22 beers on tap and a loyal, diverse crowd.
BarTrack: How did you first hear about BarTrack, and what led you to bring our Smart Draft System into your operation?
Gerald Peters: We were looking for ways to be more diligent about reordering and understanding our pour data. It became clear that better insights into profitability and waste were pivotal for efficiency, especially in the current climate. Once we implemented BarTrack, it instantly became part of our daily system.
BarTrack: How do you and your team use the data day-to-day?
Gerald Peters: Every day, we check the reports. It’s built into our system now. Weekly and monthly, too. It's allowed us to do positive coaching with the staff based on real numbers, not just guesses. Sometimes it's a quick adjustment — a few keg corrections here and there — but it's helped us catch things early before they become bigger issues.
BarTrack: What specific features of BarTrack have made the biggest impact?
Gerald Peters: Reporting is definitely the biggest advantage — even over real-time alerts. We really like the keg correction tool. It gives us the ability to retroactively account for when a keg change might not have been logged properly by staff. That means our inventory data stays accurate, and our reports reflect true product usage. After just four months, we saw immediate changes in ordering patterns and were able to be much more efficient. Being able to track keg trends — like how long kegs typically last, or when certain styles move faster — has been incredibly helpful for future ordering. It’s taken a lot of the guesswork out of managing inventory.
BarTrack: Has BarTrack impacted your financials in a measurable way?
Gerald Peters: Absolutely. Thanks to BarTrack, we’ve been able to maintain around a 20% pour cost consistently. Having that concrete data gives us confidence. It’s not just a feeling — it's a fact.
BarTrack: That's incredible. Looking ahead, what’s next for City Line?
Gerald Peters: Because we have things running so smoothly with City Line, we’re planning a new location with a different, more upscale concept. Having the confidence that our draft system is locked in allows us to move the brand forward without hesitation.
BarTrack: It’s clear you have a strong leadership style. How would you describe your management approach?
Gerald Peters: We’re very teamwork-oriented and task-driven. I believe in demonstrating what needs to be done by leading from the front and facing challenges head-on. If you’re willing to work alongside your team, everything else falls into place.
BarTrack: Last question — how has the experience been working with our team?
Gerald Peters: RJ has been fantastic. The customer service has been great. Anytime we needed something or had a question, he was right there. That support makes a huge difference.
BarTrack: Gerald, thank you so much for sharing your story. We’re proud to be a small part of City Line’s success and can't wait to see what’s next for you and your team!