How to Use a Waitlist Management System for Your Restaurant

The days of walk-ins standing in your restaurant with a buzzer or guest pager in hand, waiting for their table to be ready seem to be over. Instead, modern waitlist management systems allow guests to virtually wait in line for a table at your restaurant.

This can be an incredibly valuable tool for any restaurant looking to improve the guest experience and increase revenue. By implementing a waitlist management system, restaurant owners can reduce wait times, decrease walkaways, and streamline operations. 

So, let's dive in.

First, what is a waitlist management system?

A waitlist management system is a tool for restaurant owners to improve the guest experience by efficiently managing wait times and reducing walkaways. This system enables restaurant staff to add guests to a virtual waitlist, estimate wait times, and notify guests when their table is ready via text message. 

With waitlist management, restaurant hosts aren’t responsible for quoting average wait times and tracking down guests in the waiting area. The management software takes care of it and will tell the guest, via real-time updates, where they are in line. Guests can also keep track of a virtual waitlist on their phones, so they don’t have to crowd the waiting room of your restaurant.

What waitlist management systems are there to choose from?

There are many different types of restaurant waitlist apps and management systems. It’s crucial that you find the right one for your specific business. For more information on the different systems check out this article on the best restaurant waitlist apps.

Here are some of the best waitlist management systems for your restaurant to consider:

1. Toast Tables
2. TablesReady
3. Hostme
4. Yelp Waitlist
5. Waitlist.me
6. LRS Connect platform
7. Eat App
8. Nextme

Should I use waitlist software for my restaurant?

Whether or not you should use waitlist software for your restaurant depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, the use of modern restaurant technology throughout your business can help improve customer experience and overall efficiency. It’s important to optimize your restaurant to best serve your customers and keep up with the competition. 

When selecting which waitlist management system is best for your restaurant there are many features to consider, such as:

• Compatibility with existing systems/point of sale (POS)
• Online waitlist status
• SMS notifications
• Customized text messages
• Public digital waitlist
• Reporting
• Self-check-in
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Easy setup
• Automated table status updates
• Table management
• Server rotations
• Floor plan import
• Reservation system
• Waitlist widget for websites
• Accurate wait times
• Pricing
• Functionality

Ultimately, the decision to use waitlist software should be based on your specific needs and budget. It's worth exploring the various options available and assessing whether the benefits of the software justify the cost.

Once the system is set up, restaurant owners can use it to manage wait times effectively, notify guests when their table is ready, and integrate with other systems to improve efficiency.

Using technology to improve your restaurant operations

To get the most out of a waitlist management system, restaurant owners should follow best practices. This includes training staff on how to use the system, monitoring wait times to identify areas for improvement, and using data from the system to make informed decisions about restaurant operations.

A waitlist management system is a smart investment for any restaurant that wants to provide a great guest experience and improve its bottom line. By following the steps outlined in this article, restaurant owners can start using a waitlist management system today and reap the benefits for years to come.