Waitlist Management Tools for Restaurants

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5 Best Restaurant Wait List Managment Apps and Software

Providing an exceptional dining experience for your guests goes far beyond just serving a delicious meal with a smile. Today’s discerning patrons expect a fantastic experience from the moment they enter the restaurant until they leave with bellies full, and a long, hungry wait can put a damper on an entire evening.

Fortunately, there are accessible and affordable steps you can take to move beyond old pen and paper and in-house paging systems and into modern waitlist management tools.

Here are five of the most exciting options:

1. Harbortouch

Harbortouch is a comprehensive, all-in-one POS system that includes some compelling features for restaurants and bars. The software consists of an integrated element for making online reservations, so you don’t need to worry about managing a separate reservation program. With Harbortouch, you can accept reservations directly through the POS, but more importantly, you can take reservations online with ease.

2. QLess

The QLess queue management for restaurants is a highly efficient platform that allows guests to join virtual waiting lines through their mobile phones, your restaurant’s website, or through an on-site kiosk.

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When you integrate QLess into your restaurant customer management system, your guests will receive regular updates via text or voice message to let them know their current status, and then they receive a notification when the table is ready. Naturally, this is perfect in areas where guests can wander around local shops while they wait.

3. NoWait

NoWait is an ultra-convenient mobile app that allows guests to join a virtual waiting list that updates in real-time. They can even sign up for the wait list before arriving, allowing them to time their visits as efficiently as possible. Restaurant staff can use mobile devices to notify guests that their place in line is approaching without ever having to leave the dining room or kitchen.

4. On Cue

If your restaurant has already invested in on-site paging systems, it’s understandable that you might be hesitant to make another transition so soon. On Cue provides an excellent option for integrating the option for mobile phone notifications into your existing paging system. On Cue is a mobile app made by LRS, an on-site paging company, and its features include time tracking, status indication, and customizable texting.

5. Table’s Ready

Table’s Ready is a simple, straightforward notification that just works. Requiring very little hardware, Table’s Ready is an ideal choice for restaurants and bars that aren’t ready to invest in complicated paging systems. When a guest makes a reservation by phone or in-person, the host enters the information into the Table’s Ready platform and starts a timer. When the time is up, the system sends an automated text message the guest’s phone.

Why Upgrade Your Waitlist Management?

The advantages of using a modern waitlist management solution can be quite drastic. The most obvious benefit is that it frees up your guests to enjoy every moment of their evening. After all, even just 15 minutes of standing around can take its toll — especially when someone is trying to enjoy their leisure time, and often paying quite a bit of money for it.

In addition to creating a more relaxing environment for those who are waiting for a table, today’s waitlist options make your current guests’ experiences more enjoyable. After all, people don’t like feeling like they’re making people wait. A crowded waiting room full of hungry people can make the people occupying the tables feel rushed.

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Using better waitlist management apps and software also makes life easier for your waitstaff, allowing them to focus on providing a world-class experience for all guests. It’s no secret that giving guests the attention they deserve can be difficult during a busy shift. Streamlining the waiting process helps to keep your team on track and focused on what they do best — making patrons feel welcome and keep your customers coming back.

Finally, many of today’s waitlist management tools include analytical features that allow you to track data. With that information, you can make better decisions on how to run your restaurant. For example, if you see that Thursday evenings tend to have a higher concentration of guests, you may want to schedule extra help on those days. Knowledge is power — especially in the hospitality industry.

Get Started Today

In today’s competitive market, there’s no better time to upgrade your waitlist management system. Be sure to do your homework and select the tools that meet your restaurant’s specific needs. You may find that you can keep the transition fast, simple, and affordable if you know what you’re looking for.

Providing an outstanding experience for your guests is how you keep your existing patrons loyal while encouraging new customers to visit. People remember negative experiences, and it only takes one to prevent them from ever returning. Additionally, everyone has the power to leave a scathing review and hurt your reputation, and it’s best to think ahead and avoid having to respond to negative reviews.  Elevate every guest’s visit from the first moment they walk through your doors by upgrading your waitlist.