iPourIt hires Laurel Johnstone to lead Eastern sales

iPourIt said Aug. 12 that self-pour industry veteran Laurel Johnstone has joined the company as Eastern Territory Manager. The hire comes as the Lake Forest, California-based company expands its platform and customer support for restaurants, hotels, breweries and other hospitality operators across North America.

Why it matters: - iPourIt is adding a seasoned sales leader as demand grows for self-pour beverage systems in hospitality. - The hire signals continued investment in both the company’s technology platform and the people supporting operators across North America. - Johnstone will help Eastern U.S. customers evaluate and deploy self-pour tools for beer, wine, cocktails, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks.

What happened: - iPourIt announced Aug. 12 that Laurel Johnstone has joined the company as Eastern Territory Manager. - Johnstone brings more than five years of experience in the self-pour industry. - She will lead sales efforts across the Eastern United States. - Her territory includes restaurants, hotels, breweries, entertainment venues and other hospitality businesses.

The details: - iPourIt says its platform has expanded in recent years with advanced reporting, cloud-based management tools, flexible payment options, RFID technology and AI-powered operational insights. - The company says those tools are designed to help operators increase beverage revenue, improve inventory control, simplify operations and improve guest experiences. - Johnstone said she was drawn to iPourIt’s vision for where self-pour technology is headed. - Johnstone said the company’s focus on innovation and customer success stood out to her. - Darren Nicholson, iPourIt’s chief revenue officer, said Johnstone has built a strong reputation for helping operators solve business problems and create successful beverage programs.

Between the lines: - The hire suggests iPourIt is pairing product development with field sales expertise to compete on more than hardware and software. - The company is positioning itself as a long-term technology partner for operators that want support after installation, not just equipment. - iPourIt is also broadening its use cases beyond beer and wine to include coffee and non-alcoholic beverages, which can widen its addressable market.

What's next: - Johnstone will work with hospitality operators across the Eastern U.S. to assess, implement and maximize self-pour systems. - iPourIt says it will keep investing in platform capabilities and customer support as self-pour adoption grows. - The company’s expansion strategy appears focused on combining software, service and sales coverage to drive future growth.

The bottom line: - iPourIt is betting that self-pour growth will reward companies that can offer both advanced technology and experienced human support.