A restaurant's reservation system is arguably the most important element of the enterprise. It's not just a tool, it's key to creating meaningful connections with customers and driving substantial F&B profit to the business. Imagine a system that can manage restaurant bookings, and help staff deliver more personalized customer service to guests, elevating the overall dining experience. All of these elements can help cement the brand in the minds of customers, leading to repeat business and more revenue. Therefore, finding the right reservation system is crucial to success.

Here are some of the things that a powerful reservation system can do for restaurants:

1. Drive the restaurant's business forward

Not all reservation systems are created equal. Before choosing a platform, hospitality operators should ask this question: 'Is the system maker here to advance my business or theirs?'. As a general rule, restaurant owners should evaluate whether the platform will truly benefit their business needs or if they are taking advantage of their position. Understanding the system maker's motivations will help restaurant business owners make informed decisions according to the needs and requirements of their establishments.

Here are some of the few things to look out for when assessing the restaurant reservation platform:

• Pricing transparency: The reservation system should be priced reasonably and should not include any unexpected costs or hidden fees.

• Data ownership and control: The platform should be able to collect data. Restaurants however should have the final ownership and management of data to allow them to create future marketing campaigns and elevate their overall guest experience.

• Brand visibility: The reservation system provides a range of features that will significantly raise the reputation and image of the restaurant.

• Support and training: The system maker should be able to provide adequate training and can support the restaurant's growth over time.

Additionally, a good reservation platform should have these basic functionalities:

• Reservation management: A good reservation system can help manage reservations efficiently, and provide real-time updates on table availability.

• Customer experience: It facilitates seamless booking processes to ensure a positive experience for guests.

• Table management: The system should be able to optimize table turnover and maximize restaurant capacity by seating more diners.

• Customization: A good platform allows hospitality operators to customize not only the reservation process, table layout, and floor planning.

• User-friendly interface: It should be user-friendly for all staff members and straightforward for managers to train their staff on its functionalities.

2. Put the restaurant brand front and center

While restaurant advertising sites or Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) can boost brand visibility, their high fees and the competition between listed restaurants make it challenging for establishments to stand out and catch the attention of diners.

Overall, the best option for hospitality operators and restaurant owners is to find a restaurant reservation system that empowers them to manage their bookings directly but at the same time ensures that their brand remains prominent in the entire booking process. A reservation system that provides a branded booking page or a branded booking widget that is embedded in the restaurant's website, can help restaurants elevate their brand while giving them more control over the guest experience. This means relying less on third-party advertising platforms and OTAs to promote their restaurant brand – all while saving money. By having a reservation system that integrates well with the brand, hospitality operators can create a loyal customer base and optimize their booking process for success.

Additionally, if the reservation platform integrates all the restaurant bookings from multiple paid channels into one space, hospitality operators can simplify operations, giving the staff more time to deliver unforgettable dining experiences for guests.

TableCheck helps restaurants consolidate all bookings from other channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Reserve in one space, increasing social conversion and reducing cancellations.

3. Provide hospitality operators ownership and control of guest data to boost brand loyalty

More than half of restaurant bookings are now done online – providing opportunities for hospitality operators to market to guests directly. The challenge however lies in data ownership. When bookings are done through a third-party advertiser, that entity is the legal controller and owner of the guest data. This gives the OTAs the power to target diners and even point them toward the restaurant's competitors. In contrast, the restaurant owner will not be allowed to market to his or her own guests. As a result, restaurants miss the opportunity to foster a direct relationship with their guests, promote their brand, and build long-term relationships.

With TableCheck, the data collected from customers is for hospitality operators to keep and do as they please. Think of TableCheck as a custodian that simply manages guest data and helps the restaurant reach its customers in meaningful ways. Not only can restaurants use guest data to take the diner experience to the next level, but they can use it for their own marketing campaigns such as sending targeted emails based on guest activity, spending, and habits. Through TableCheck, restaurants own and control guest data.

Learn more: Fuel your success with your own restaurant guest data

4. Scale effective marketing campaigns to capture repeat guests

A strong online brand presence is fundamental for any restaurant that aims to capture repeat business. This means leveraging various digital marketing initiatives like social media to reach and attract more potential guests. But aside from social media, email marketing remains a powerful tool for restaurants to generate repeat business.

Here's why:

• Cost-effective: Email marketing is more cost-effective than other advertising initiatives like print ads.

• Brand reach: Restaurant owners can engage with clients through personalized emails, building brand awareness and loyalty over time.

• Target communications: Hospitality operators can create email campaigns that can target various diner segments based on demographics and purchase history.

• Automation and Personalization: Hospitality businesses can set up automated email campaigns and promotions that can be delivered in real-time to their audience.

• Measurable metrics: Email marketing platforms allow restaurant businesses to track metrics like open rates to improve their future marketing campaigns.

Electronic direct mail (EDM) has proven to be very effective in sending automated and personalized emails to target audiences without requiring a large staff. For example, restaurants can use the guest details they've gathered (such as email addresses and birthdays through the booking platform) to send personalized birthday messages and offer natal day discounts as part of a targeted marketing campaign – a subtle way to tell their customers that they value them.

The TableCheck EDM feature makes email marketing easy and convenient through automation. Hospitality operators can send out targeted messages or email blasts on a certain day and at a particular time to a segmented audience.

Learn more: How to run successful EDM marketing campaigns

5. Harness data and analytics to optimize restaurant operations

The advent of the Internet Age has changed the way business is conducted. To get ahead, restaurants should harness digital tools and choose a booking platform equipped with powerful analytics capabilities to gain insights into their customers' behavior and preferences, as well as patterns, and trends in the industry. All of these data are critical for any restaurant that wants to increase revenue.

For example, data can help with efficient inventory management. By looking at purchase history, restaurants can determine which items are selling well so chefs can adjust portions, prepare them in advance to ensure demand is met, or develop new menu items. Selections that are not selling well can be removed from the menu to eliminate waste and cut costs.

TableCheck Insight can automatically visualize and analyze all kinds of information related to restaurant operations. It can help restaurants utilize data, which is essential for modern hospitality operations. Now, TableCheck Insight also includes a TableCheck EDM dashboard to allow hospitality operators to evaluate the effectiveness of their email marketing campaigns while also looking at patterns and trends in their industry.

Learn more: How to use restaurant data and analytics to power your business

6. Allow seamless integration with the restaurant's POS system to drive more profit

To foster repeat business, customer loyalty, and more sales, it's crucial that the reservation system can be integrated with the restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) system and perform specific data gathering, security, and tracking requirements. The reservation system should be able to do basic functions such as identifying which check is for which table, updating table status, and tallying final sales. Getting detailed data from POS would help restaurant owners understand their diners better and their preferences, which will inform them to make better-informed decisions when it comes to creating a better menu or improving customer service. These strategic decisions will eventually lead to improved brand loyalty and repeat business.

TableCheck can seamlessly integrate with the restaurant's POS system. This can synchronize information and enhance the tracking of the venue's customer data. The platform can easily monitor guests' spend history, average the spend per customer, and implement real-time table status integration to improve the table flow. Click here to find out which POS systems are supported.

7. Optimize the restaurant's waitlist to elevate the dining experience

Having a waitlist management system allows restaurant operators to provide great customer service as soon as guests arrive at the venue. Staff can plan better, manage seating arrangements in advance, and seat diners more efficiently. Imagine diners being seated in comfortable waiting spaces or heading to the bar and being served champagne while they wait to be notified when their tables are ready. This gives guests a positive dining experience from the first point of contact.

Moreover, effective waitlist management can optimize table turnover, maximize the restaurant's capacity, and boost revenue potential. It's a win-win situation!

TableCheck's Door Waitlist solution helps restaurants manage their waitlists. Guests can conveniently book a table in advance using their own devices while viewing menus while they wait for their table and will be notified by SMS or email once their tables are ready. This eliminates the need for staff to chase down diners or use old-school paging methods which improves restaurant operations while creating a seamless guest experience that drives profits for the restaurant.

8. Offer multilingual support for better customer service

The internet has made the world a smaller, more globalized place. Restaurants that look into reaching an international audience will be best served by a booking platform that crushes the language barrier. Additionally, having a multicultural team will also help the hospitality business perform better as the restaurant staff will be able to learn the system and use it more efficiently to serve their loyal clientele.

TableCheck's reservation platform also offers support in 18 languages, making it easy for customers to receive service in their native tongue. To find out what TableCheck can do, request a demo today.