Tired of losing money to no-shows? Learn these simple strategies to reduce cancellations and keep your restaurant running smoothly. Plus, discover how the resOS booking system can help make it even easier!
No-shows – they’re every restaurant owner’s nightmare. You’ve got a table booked, the kitchen’s ready, and then…no one shows up. Not only does it throw off your service flow, but it also means losing out on revenue.
But don’t stress! With the right strategies (and a little help from resOS 😉), you can keep those tables filled and your business thriving.
What is a no-show, and how much does It cost? 🤔
A no-show happens when a guest books a table but doesn’t turn up, without cancelling in advance. It might seem like just one table, but the costs add up fast.
Let’s say your restaurant has 80 seats, and 40% of those are booked through reservations. If your average spends per guest is £25, even a 5% no-show rate could cost you around £50 a night.
That’s £350 a week!
If your no-show rate climbs to 15% – closer to the industry average – you could be losing £150 every night, which adds up to over £1,000 a week in lost revenue. It’s a big hit for any business.
That’s why it’s crucial to address no-shows with the right approach, keeping those tables filled and your revenue steady.
💡Want to know more about statistics on no-shows? Read this article for more insights.
Here’s a simple, effective guide on how to reduce no-shows and stop them from eating into your profits.
1. Ask for prepayments
If you want to make sure people turn up, asking for a small deposit can work wonders. It gives customers a bit more commitment to their booking, so they’re less likely to bail on you.
How resOS helps:
With resOS, you can easily set up reservation prepayments. Guests pay a small amount when booking. A small ask, but a big difference in ensuring commitment.
2. Send friendly reminders
Let’s be honest, people forget things – it’s human nature! Sending a friendly reminder before their reservation is a simple but super effective way to cut down on no-shows.
How resOS helps:
resOS automatically sends SMS or email reminders to your guests before their booking. This keeps their reservation on their radar, and if their plans change, they can easily cancel or reschedule – keeping your tables free for others!
3. Have a clear cancellation policy 📝
When customers know the consequences of cancelling last minute, they’ll think twice before skipping out on their reservation. A clear and straightforward cancellation policy ensures everyone’s on the same page and helps keep things running smoothly.
You could, for example, require guests to cancel at least 24 hours in advance or face a small fee. Whatever policy you choose, it’s important to make sure guests are fully aware of the rules before they confirm their booking. This simple step can significantly reduce last-minute changes or no-shows.
And the best part? Once the policy is in place, it works behind the scenes, leaving you more time to focus on running your restaurant.
4. Track repeat no-shows 🚨
Some guests just can’t be trusted when it comes to bookings. But if you can spot repeat no-shows, you can take action to prevent them from causing more trouble. By tracking no-shows, you can decide how to handle them—like requiring deposits or restricting their ability to book during peak hours.
How resOS helps:
Using a guest flagging feature, restaurant staff can mark customers who frequently fail to show up for their reservations. This allows you to quickly identify unreliable guests and take the necessary steps, such as asking for pre-payment or blocking them from certain booking times.
It’s an easy way to keep tabs on customer behaviour and protect your business from repeat offenders.
5. Use a waitlist to fill tables ⏳
No-shows might be unavoidable sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose out on filling those tables. A waitlist helps you quickly replace no-shows with eager diners!
How resOS helps:
With resOS, you can set up an automated waitlist that notifies guests when a table becomes available. If someone cancels last minute, diners on the waitlist get a message and can take their spot, no hassle.
Make booking easy and flexible 🤗
The easier it is to book, change, or cancel a reservation, the more likely guests are to follow through with their plans. A user-friendly system can make all the difference.
How resOS helps:
The resOS booking system is super easy to use, and it’s mobile-friendly too! Customers can quickly book, modify, or cancel their reservations without any hassle, making it more likely they’ll keep their reservation.
Conclusion 🎯
No-shows don’t have to be a constant battle. With a few smart strategies and the right tools, like resOS, you can manage your reservations better, reduce last-minute cancellations, and keep your tables full.
Take control of your bookings today, and say goodbye to those no-shows for good! 👋
Are you interested in trying out resOS? Get started here. Do not hesitate with contacting us on [email protected], if you have any questions.
