We’re here with you, every step of the way

With more than 45 years under our belts and a team packed with hospitality industry natives, we know that reliable, integrated tech and valuable data and insights are essential for today’s operators.

We know your business because it’s our business too

The Zonal story is 45 years in the making. Our founder, Ralph McLean, ran the family’s hotel near Edinburgh, and in 1979 he decided to solve the problem of shortfalls in stock and takings. The EPoS system he invented was spotted by the famed brewer Scottish & Newcastle, who persuaded him to adapt it for their entire pub estate – where it gave both site managers and head office a level of information that had never been available before. It wasn’t long before Scottish & Newcastle were joined by other big names, and today we employ more than 700 people.

In 2026, Zonal joined Volaris Group, a community of more than 1,500 software companies and 52,000 employees worldwide, bringing additional investment, global best practice and long-term commitment to our customers. Joel Chapman became CEO in July 2026, having joined Zonal in 2002. As Chief Customer Officer he helped build the customer-first culture that defines how Zonal operates, and as Chief Operating Officer he oversaw the frontline teams who keep our customers trading every day. That combination of customer obsession and operational depth now shapes Zonal's strategic direction as we continue to drive innovation and growth for the UK's hospitality operators.

Meet our leadership team
As CEO, my role is to guide our future direction by listening closely to our customers and our people, ensuring we continue to strengthen our position as the UK’s leading hospitality technology provider.

Joel Chapman

Zonal CEO

Our culture and values

Customer obsessed

Our customer obsession shapes our product roadmap. We work closely with our customers to discover the unique challenges they face, the goals they want to achieve, and the opportunities available to them. We are deeply committed to understanding and meeting the needs of our customers, now and in the future.

Our culture and values

Innovation

Solving our customers’ problems through innovation is at the heart of what we do. Our curiosity for learning and exploring new technologies means that we thrive on building creative and innovative solutions for our customers.

Our culture and values

Accountability

We understand and play our part in fulfilling our commitment to our customers and we empower our people to have the autonomy they need in their roles to take ownership of their work.

Our culture and values

Teamwork

Hospitality is all about people, and we believe teamwork is key to success. Our relationships with our customers are long-term partnerships based on trust, reliability, and responsiveness. We actively listen and strive to deliver the best solutions for our customers.

Our culture and values

Passion

We live and breathe hospitality. It’s in our blood, and we’re as passionate about hospitality as you are. We bring passion for our customers and dedication towards innovation to the everyday.

Our culture and values

Professionalism

As a team of hospitality natives, we understand the pressure that operators face. We are dependable, friendly and responsive at all times. We’re the reliable partner you can trust to do what’s right for you.

What we care about

We’re a passionate and proactive member of the hospitality industry. That’s why we support initiatives and charities that promote our sector and the wellbeing of the people who work in it.

Hospitality community

We are hospitality: organisations we support

Hospitality is a real community, and we’re proud to partner with organisations to help the industry prosper such as UK Hospitality, the BII, and the Institute of Hospitality, to support vital causes, and champion growth and innovation in a sector that we know and love.

Learn more

We are hospitality: organisations we support

Hospitality is a real community, and we’re proud to partner with organisations to help the industry prosper such as UK Hospitality, the BII, and the Institute of Hospitality, to support vital causes, and champion growth and innovation in a sector that we know and love.

Learn more

Giving back

We care about the wider community too

We have a long tradition of charitable work. We’re actively involved with the digital charity box Pennies, a proud partner of PubAid, and work closely with Only a Pavement Away, which helps find stable employment for people facing or experiencing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans.

We care about the wider community too

We have a long tradition of charitable work. We’re actively involved with the digital charity box Pennies, a proud partner of PubAid, and work closely with Only a Pavement Away, which helps find stable employment for people facing or experiencing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans.

Valuing diversity

Celebrating diverse voices, ideas and perspectives

Our Valuing Diversity initiative recognises that inclusivity and diversity are what make hospitality such a vibrant and exciting industry to work in. We’re increasing representation across all our teams and holding ourselves accountable at every level, ensuring that everyone has a voice regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.

Celebrating diverse voices, ideas and perspectives

Our Valuing Diversity initiative recognises that inclusivity and diversity are what make hospitality such a vibrant and exciting industry to work in. We’re increasing representation across all our teams and holding ourselves accountable at every level, ensuring that everyone has a voice regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.

Net Zero

We’re on a journey to Net Zero

We’re committed to helping the industry hit Net Zero, with our pledge to become a Net Zero business by 2040. Our roadmap to get there includes everything from 100% electric-powered vehicles to self-generated solar electricity powering our offices.

We’re on a journey to Net Zero

We’re committed to helping the industry hit Net Zero, with our pledge to become a Net Zero business by 2040. Our roadmap to get there includes everything from 100% electric-powered vehicles to self-generated solar electricity powering our offices.

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