How do I set the average duration time per reservation?

In this article

• What are Table Durations
• Option 1: Service Duration Time
• Option 2: Duration Rules (Recommended)
• Examples
• FAQs

Table Durations

Establishing the appropriate duration for each party size is crucial for optimizing table usage, especially during peak demand periods. This approach enhances the efficiency of service by ensuring a timely turnover of tables. By setting specific durations based on the size of each party, a restaurant can effectively manage its seating capacity, accommodating more guests within a given time frame. This maximises revenue potential and also contributes to a smoother operation, as tables become available for new reservations or walk-in customers. There are two ways that this can be achieved:

Option 1: Service Duration Time

If you want to allow the same length of time for all tables irrespective of the number of guests seated it is possible to simply add a single Duration Time against a Service.

1. After signing in to the Back Office select >Settings > Tables and then select Services and a list of the current services are displayed.

2. To edit the settings of a Service click the ‘Edit’ (pencil icon) beside the required Service.

3. Change the default Duration in minutes.

4. After changing select the ‘Save’ button to save the Service.

5. Select ‘Update Tills’ from the main screen and ‘Send Changes’ to apply the Durations to the point-of-sale and reservations widget.

Note: Turn times must be included in the default duration, turn times give you the leeway to clear and re-set your tables between reservations.

Note: Duration Rules based on the number of covers will overwrite this default duration.

Option 2: Duration Rules (Recommended)

Duration Rules specify time limits assigned to each reservation for a particular table size. These durations help manage the restaurant’s seating capacity by controlling how long a table is occupied and fitting as many reservations into a service as possible.

1. After signing in to the Back Office select >Settings > Tables and then select Services and a list of the current services are displayed.

2. To edit the settings of a Service click the ‘Edit’ (pencil icon) beside the required Service.

3. To create a new Duration Rule select the +Add Rule button.

4. Enter the Minimum Covers

5. Enter the Maximum Covers

Note: It is important to ensure that any duration rules do not overlap the numbers of covers

6. Enter the Time Profile when this rule applies to

Note: Generally the Time Profile will be set the same as the Service time profile however it is possible to set multiple duration rules at certain times during a service by setting up additional time profiles.

7. Enter the Duration length in minutes that any tables with the above rules are reserved for.

Note: Any time required to clean and prepare a table between reservations must be included in the duration time.

8. After adding Duration Rules select the ‘Save’ button to save the Service.

9. Select ‘Update Tills’ from the main screen and ‘Send Changes’ to apply the Duration Rules to the point-of-sale and reservations widget.

Note: The widget browser must be refreshed to view the changes. Please allow up to two minutes for any changes to apply.

Examples

FAQs

Table Reservations Frequently Asked Questions