• Pricing
  • Get a Free Demo

/

Pros and Cons of Having a Table Reservation System for Your Restaurant

Pros and Cons of Having a Table Reservation System for Your Restaurant

Jenny Day

Jenny Day

The balance depends on your brand, sales, workforce, and profitability trends combined with your personal preferences. By carefully reviewing your restaurant data, you can decide what is best for your unique business.

Do you need a restaurant reservation system?

There is no definitive answer to whether or not a restaurant needs to deploy a restaurant reservation system. Many factors such as brand, sales volume, and location will come into play when deciding if a reservation system is right for your venue. Below are a few pros and cons to consider.

Pros of a restaurant reservation system

  • Quicker table turn times because the table does not sit open waiting for guests to arrive.
  • Improved forecasting and scheduling for both the front-of-house and back-of-house.
  • The ability to gain customer preferences and potential food allergies in advance.
  • Capturing customer information leads to improved marketing capabilities.

Cons of a restaurant reservation system

  • Potential revenue loss as walk-in diners might be turned away.
  • Walk-in guests can grow impatient waiting for a table when one is sitting open awaiting a reservation to arrive, leading to a negative customer reviews and potential loss of repeat business.
  • No-shows can mess up even the best forecasts.

GUIDE

Hiring and Retaining Restaurant Staff

Conclusion

When it comes to restaurant reservations, certain operators and customers love them while others loathe them. Fortunately, you don’t need to pick sides. You can accommodate all guests with a hybrid system that allows you to take reservations for certain tables while holding others open for walk-ins.

The balance depends on your brand, sales, workforce, and profitability trends combined with your personal preferences. By carefully reviewing your restaurant data, you can decide what is best for your unique business.