Charleston Battery delivers community-driven hospitality with Toast
For a historic soccer club like Charleston Battery, match days are a delicate balance of community atmosphere and high-volume operations. When Julian Clanton, Chief Revenue Officer, sought to uplevel the stadium’s technology, he needed a partner that could handle the unique demands of a 6,000-fan venue.
Modernizing match days
Prior to partnering with Toast in early 2025, Charleston Battery relied on a system that couldn't keep pace with their growth. Outdated hardware and slow connectivity led to staggering lines that frustrated fans and stifled sales. "We felt like we were missing revenue because of the technology we had," Julian says. "The bartenders couldn't move quick enough with the equipment we had. We were still in the 'Dark Ages'."
Additionally, their previous POS hardware often failed to weather the elements unique to a stadium on the harbor. Whether it was mist, wind, rain, or the inevitable condensation and spills at the bar, the hardware would frequently malfunction. By switching to Toast, the club gained durable, reliable hardware that could withstand the realities of game day hospitality without slowing down the customer experience.
“Without Toast, we’d still be in the ‘dark ages’. We would have disgruntled fans and season ticket members, and I bet we would’ve seen a decrease in our season ticket memberships. We’re about raising the bar every year, and if we didn’t switch to Toast, we’d still be complacent instead of scaling our organization to match the way our league is growing.”
Julian Clanton
Powering high-volume fan experiences
Match days are more than just games—they’re a way to bring the local community together. Toast technology keeps pace with the energy in the stadium, from the parking lot to the bar.
Stadium suites: Toast Go® Handhelds used in 12 hospitality suites and private lounges allow staff to take bulk orders immediately rather than manual paper tracking.
Parking lot: Deploying Toast Go® Handhelds for day-of parking eliminated equipment jams and streamlined the entry process.
Merchandise: Using Toast Retail for their merchandise helped the club move away from slow manual SKU entry on laptops to rapid-fire mobile transactions.
Measurable wins on and off the pitch
The transition to Toast did more than just improve the game day atmosphere—it helped contribute to noticeable improvements on the club*.
34% jump in per caps: Merchandise revenue per fan increased from about $4.20 to $5.70.
Increased parking revenue: Day-of average parking sales grew from under $2,700 to over $3,800 per game.
Giving back: While using the Toast Fundraising product, the club has raised over $1,500.
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