TurnKey co-founder Warren Cato upholds the company’s reputation in the industry by bringing Anthony Critelli on board to form Atlantic TurnKey ATM Solutions.
(NOTE: This story appears in the September 2024 issue of ED Magazine.)
As a nationwide ATM supplier, TurnKey ATM Solutions has serviced the adult industry for nearly three decades. Originally Cabe & Cato, Inc., Warren Cato and Jim Cabe founded the company in 1993 and quickly expanded its service areas to become the biggest supplier of ATM services in the gentlemen’s club industry. Together they built the company on impeccable service and reliability, earning themselves a reputation for excellence that still stands to this day.
In 2022, Cato partnered with Anthony Critelli, Vice president of Atlantic Payments Group, to form Atlantic TurnKey ATM Solutions after Cabe started moving toward retirement.
“[Cato] wanted to make sure he was able to continue to successfully support his customers into the future,” Critelli explains. “He brought me on board to help with operations and we partnered to create Atlantic TurnKey ATM Solutions. We are built on the core principles [Cabe and Cato] have instilled in this industry and will continue that legacy long into the future.”
“We are built on the core principles [Cabe and Cato] have instilled in this industry and will continue that legacy long into the future.”
– Anthony Critelli
TurnKey’s 30-year evolution
In 1997, TurnKey attended its first ED EXPO at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as Cabe & Cato, Inc. Their attendance helped them gain recognition in the adult industry, and they’ve attended every EXPO since. As the company’s presence in strip clubs grew, they decided to branch out and get more involved.
In 1999, Cato attended the ACE National formation meeting in Myrtle Beach, SC, leading to a partnership of support that remains intact today. TurnKey has supported state chapters of ACE ever since, contributing to the creation of the Peach State Georgia chapter by hosting member “drive” lunches for club owners. The company’s involvement in the adult industry took off after Cato developed Club Control Systems, a POS platform built exclusively for gentlemen’s clubs.
Then, in 2001, Cato introduced the concept of flat fee/variable surcharge percentage to the industry.
“He worked with the manufacturers to add this capability to ATM terminals and rolled it out with Spearmint Rhino,” Critelli shares. “This concept allows us to raise the withdrawal limit at the ATM terminal giving club customers the ability to withdraw more money to spend. The amount of cash dispensed increased by over 20 percent with this change and the surcharge revenue that the clubs earned more than doubled. Since this was introduced, TurnKey has been responsible for the dispense and surcharge of over a billion dollars of cash in its portfolio of clubs.”
An ATM service for everyone
No matter how big or small, Atlantic TurnKey has a solution to fit every club’s needs. They have nearly three decades of experience working with some of the largest club chains in the industry, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have services for the little guys as well.
“Regardless of the size of a club, we will be there to help in any way we can,” explains Critelli. “We offer different services depending on what a club is looking for – our free ATM placement, management, loading and revenue sharing offering is a turnkey operation that takes all the work away from the club and earns them revenue at the same time. We also offer back-end processing if a club wants to operate a terminal themselves. We have several solutions to service any club in any area of the country reliably and dependably.”
For those who already know of TurnKey, the company’s reputation speaks for itself. They provide 24/7 customer service and troubleshooting, which is essential in the club industry.
“[Cato] once told me, ‘If a club never had a problem with an ATM, the service provider wouldn’t matter.’ It’s when there is a problem that who you choose to do business with matters, and TurnKey has been there for its customers 24/7 to help fix issues when they arise,” Critelli recalls. “That impeccable customer service will remain number one to this company.”
He continues adding, “Atlantic TurnKey typically recommends Genmega brand for strip clubs due to its extensive line of products and reliability to fit each club’s needs. We have an option for any cash solution a club may be looking for.”
“We continue to look for ways to assist the industry and look for new strategies to help our partners either save money or earn more revenue.” – Anthony Critelli
Atlantic TurnKey is ready for the future
Moving forward, Atlantic TurnKey aims to maintain its support for the adult nightclub industry and continue the legacy of its founders.
“We continue to look for ways to assist the industry and look for new strategies to help our partners either save money or earn more revenue,” says Critelli. “As ATM manufacturers continue to innovate, we deploy the newest and best hardware and software that is available.”
Atlantic TurnKey has attended every ED EXPO since 1996, and this year is no exception! As a sponsor of the ACE reception on Sunday, August 25, guests will notice the company’s logo on their hotel keycards.
“We are so excited to be a part of the show this year and show our support in a few different ways,” Critellis exclaims. “Please come see us at the 2024 ED EXPO in Dallas at booth #70 and say hello!”
For more information, visit turnkeyatmsolutions.com.
