Mobile Bars vs EBar
How EBar® units boosted drinks revenue and profit margin by 74% in a head-to-head comparison with classic mobile bars.
In early 2026, a study was conducted across two international matchdays at a major UK sports stadium to evaluate bar efficiency and sales density during peak intermission surges. The trial directly compared mobile EBar self-service kiosks against traditional mobile bar operations across two concourse locations.
To establish a true like-for-like comparison, performance was normalized to sales and profit generated per linear metre (1m) of bar space. The baseline setup featured traditional 2x2m mobile ‘buggy carts’ staffed by 3 operators per cart. In comparison, the test deployment utilized 3 to 4 mobile EBar kiosks overseen by just 2 staff members.
The result demonstrates a clear commercial advantage for automated EBar dispensers, delivering a 74% increase in both revenue and margin from the exact same footprint.
Client
Super League rugby club
Location
Northern England, UK
When
Launched October 2025
Outcomes
- Increased bar sales overall
- Better fan experience
Client’s Problem
Our client are a Super League rugby club established almost 100 years ago. The club has historically faced challenges with bar queues, staff availability, and beer wastage so they contacted EBar to see how we could help.
EBar was tasked with:
- Reducing queues to speed up service and increase fan satisfaction
- Significantly boosting bar sales
- Minimising additional staff costs and waste
EBar’s Solution
It was agreed that EBars® would be located in the busiest area of the stadium, close to the main bar. Four mobile EBar® units were deployed to a Friday night Super League match, serving fan favourites Madrí Exceptional and Guinness.
An experienced EBar technician ran through our rigorous pre-event checks, remaining on site to support with Challenge25 checks and changing kegs.
Outcomes
- Mobile EBars® served over 850 keg-fresh pints of Madrí Excepcional and Guinness over a 3 hour period
- EBar® service rates peaked at 600 pints per hour
- Fan feedback to the club was 100% positive
- Minimal waste and incremental staffing costs
- With EBars® handling the previously unfulfilled demand for pints, the venue reported an overall increase of 10% in drink sales from its main bar
- Beer sales from the EBar® units were 100% incremental for the venue, i.e. didn’t take any sales away from the main bar
“We were really pleased that this major Super League club came to EBar to help with the performance of their bars operation. Fan feedback was 100% positive, and not only were the EBar® sales 100% incremental, but the club also saw an uplift in sales at their regular bars. The shorter queues enabled by the presence of EBar® units encouraged more fans to use the existing facilities, increasing sales and offering fans an even better F&B experience at the club”
Nick Beeson, MD of EBar
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