Technology has brought intelligent table reservation and management systems to the pub and restaurant industry. They can do lots of clever things with data, but how much practical difference do they really make? In this infographic, we look at a typical day in the life of two dining venues - one with an online booking system, and one without. The right technology can drastically improve pub and restaurant operations, helping general managers to better handle offers and promotions, accommodate walk-ins and reduce no-shows, resulting in improved table yield - and a healthier bottom line.

1. TAKEAWAYS:
• Online bookings and table management system
improves operational efficiency and table yield
• Targeted marketing using your own in-system data
is an effective and low-cost way to boost bookings
• Allowing the computer to calculate wait times and
availability increases use of table capacity, by fitting
in more customers and reducing downtime
• A real-time booking system releases cancellations instantly,
making them available to be rebooked by other customers
• With a data-driven waiting list, you can keep hold of business
by giving accurate wait-times to walk-ins. Staff no longer
have to give rough estimates or simply turn customers away..
A day in the life: how technology
can improve table management
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Unit 1 Cheshire House | Hurricane Close | Stafford | ST16 11L
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LUNCH:
A GREAT DEAL?
AFTER WORK:
WALK-INS VS RESERVED TABLES
DINNER TIME:
NO-SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS
LAST MINUTE WALK-INS
EXTRA COVERS
Lunch promotion via DEALS
website has brought in lots
of guests but...
• Staff overwhelmed
• Kitchen struggling
• Big discount + fees =
poor return for restaurant
After-work walk-ins arrive
in slot before dinner
• Several tables booked from 7pm
• Staff unwilling to risk using
reserved tables - not sure paper
diary is up to date
• Most walk-ins turned away out of
caution
Earlier cancellations and
no-shows leave the
restaurant short
• Paper diary updated hastily
• Manager crosses fingers for
some last-minute walk-ins!
Last-minute arrivals have
filled empty space:
• Now extra walk-ins
must be turned away
• Staff can’t give accurate
wait times on tables
• Venue emptying out
• Still two hours to closing
• Several of the tables held
for earlier customers
have not been refilled
Targeted lunch deal offered
to loyal customers via
restaurant booking system
• Steady and controlled
• More covers than usual
• Manageable discount and
no fees to pay
After-work walk-ins arrive
in slot before dinner
• Several tables booked from
7pm
• Staff have up-to-date view of
bookings on IT system
• Happy to fit in the extra guests
for a short session before 7pm
Earlier cancellations
instantly released by online
booking system
• Tables filled again by new
bookings
• Staff update no-shows on
system - gives current view
of availability
Last-minute arrivals have
filled empty space:
• Extra walk-ins not a problem
• Staff check system and give
accurate wait-times on tables
• Walk-ins invited to wait in bar
- system sends text as soon
as table ready
• Earlier customers leave
• Replaced by next bookings
and waiting walk-ins
• Maximises table yield and
makes the manager happy!
£ £
WATCH CLOSELY AS WE COMPARE TWO DINING
VENUES GOING THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY
Technology has brought intelligent table reservation and management
systems to the pub and restaurant industry. They can do lots of clever
things with data, but how much practical difference do they really make?
Lots of bookings came in
via third party booking app
ReservaSpot…
• The catch: each cover
costs the restaurant £2
• Eats into already tight margins
All bookings came in via
restaurant’s own system
• No charge or loss of margin
• Availability shown online
in real-time, allowing for
a couple of last-minute
bookings via mobile
SUNDAY LUNCH:
WHOSE BOOKINGS ARE THEY ANYWAY?