Reservations- Getting Started
In this article
- Information you Need before Starting
- Table Areas
- Table Plan
- Examples
- FAQs
1. Table Areas (already set for existing sites)
Table Areas divide the tables is your establishment into distinct areas or sections e.g. dining rooms, bar areas, floors, outdoor seating or private rooms.
Each table area may contain a specific set of tables, making it easier for servers and staff to locate and manage orders for those tables. The visual representation or table plan allows staff to see the layout of tables, their occupancy status, and which tables are available or occupied at a glance.
Note: Reservations can be enabled or disabled for each Area based on the Table Service.
2. Table Plan (already set for existing sites)
Table plans provide a visual representation of the physical layout of your establishment. This includes the placement of tables, booths, and other seating options. Table plans allow you to assign reserved tables in advance when customers make reservations and then seat those reservations directly from the table plan. For walk-in customers, wait staff can use the table plan to assign available tables and ensure efficient seating.
3. Seating Capacity
Each table within a Table Plan must be set with the maximum seating capacity. By specifying the number of seats for each table the system will automatically optimise your seating arrangements and match party sizes with appropriate tables, ensuring efficient use of space. E.g.
Restaurant Table#1 4 Covers Table#2 2 Covers Table#3 2 Covers etc.
- Table Joins Set any Tables that can accommodate larger parties or groups by combining or linking multiple tables together. e.g.
Table 1 (4 Cover) + Table 2 (2 Cover) = 6 Covers Table 1 (4 Cover) + Table 2 (2 Cover) + Table 3 (2Cover) = 8 Covers etc
5. Time Profiles Allows you to manage the availability of tables on different dates and at different times throughout the day. E.g.
Lunch Mon Closed Tues Closed Wed 12pm - 4pm Thurs 12pm - 4pm Fri 12pm - 4pm Sat 12pm - 4pm Sun 12pm - 4pm
Dinner Mon Closed Tues Closed Wed 5pm - 9pm Thurs 5pm - 9pm Fri 5pm - 10pm Sat 5pm - 10pm Sun Closed
- Time Profile Exceptions These can be set for certain dates so that tables can’t be reserved online e.g.
Lunch Closed Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day
Dinner Closed Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day
- Services Services enable restaurants to manage several aspects of their online booking system, including the ability to specify which tables are open for online reservations based on designated table areas, the availability of these services on particular days and during specific hours, and the option to request card details or deposits when customers make a booking. Additionally, services provide the flexibility to adjust the expected duration of dining covers and determine whether smaller parties can reserve larger tables.
Minimum Information required:
Service Name This is the name that is displayed for customers to select when reserving online e.g.
Lunch / Dinner
Area You can select where this service is available e.g.
Lunch can be reserved for Bar and Restaurant Dinner may only be available in the Restaurant
Interval Set the booking interval for table reservations e.g.
15 minute intervals allows reservations to be made for 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:00 PM 30 minute intervals allows reservations to be made for 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM 60 minute intervals allows reservations to be made for 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM
Min Covers Sets the minimum number of people that can book online
Max Covers Set the maximum number of people that can book online, any larger parties would have to call the restaurant directly to reserve
Max Advance Set the number of days in the future bookings are allowed for
Available Online Is this Service available for customers to book online Yes or No
Card Required Rules e.g.
Require Card details Require for Covers more than XYZ Charge £XYZ per No show Table or per Cover
Deposit Required Rules e.g.
Require Deposit Require for Covers more than XYZ Charge ££XYZ Deposit per Table or per Cover
Booking Message Email footer for completed reservations e.g.
We look forward to welcoming you to the restaurant and hope you enjoy your experience.
Please note that we will contact all reservations prior to your visit on the week of your booking. You can confirm your booking with us after we contact you via phone on 02871 12345678.
We kindly request that you arrive on time for your booking to ensure a smooth dining experience. In the event of late arrival it may result in you losing your reservation slot.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, but would appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to modify or cancel your reservation.
If you have any special requests, such as dietary preferences, special occasions, or seating preferences, please let us know at the time of making the reservation, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
By making your reservation, you agree to our Reservations Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions T&Cs on booking widget e.g.
*Reservation Confirmation: Reservations are subject to availability, and the confirmation of your booking is contingent upon the restaurant’s availability at the requested date and time. *Reservation Timings: Please arrive at the restaurant on time for your reservation. We will hold the table for a maximum of [grace period] minutes after the reserved time. After this grace period, the table may be released to accommodate other guests. *Group Size: When making a reservation, please ensure that the number of guests in your party accurately reflects the total number of attendees. We appreciate prior notice for any changes in the group size. *Cancellation Policy: We understand that plans may change. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, we kindly request that you do so with as much notice as possible. This allows us to accommodate other guests who may be eager to dine with us. Please refer to the specific cancellation notice period mentioned below: For reservations of up to [number of guests], kindly provide at least [cancellation notice period] hours’ notice. For reservations of [number of guests] or more, kindly provide at least [cancellation notice period] days’ notice. Failure to cancel within the specified time frame may result in a cancellation fee. *No-Show Policy: In the event of a no-show (a reservation where the guest does not arrive and no prior cancellation was made), a no-show fee may be charged to the credit card used to secure the reservation. The no-show fee will be equivalent to [no-show fee amount] per person in the reservation. *Late Arrival: While we do our best to accommodate late arrivals, we cannot guarantee seating for reservations arriving significantly after the reserved time. In such cases, your table may be given to other waiting guests. *Special Requests: If you have any special requests, such as dietary preferences, special occasions, or seating preferences, please let us know at the time of making the reservation, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. *Children and Infants: We warmly welcome children and infants to our restaurant. Please include them in the total number of guests when making a reservation, as we need to allocate appropriate seating for everyone. *Service Charge: A discretionary service charge may be added to the final bill. This charge goes directly to our hardworking staff, who are committed to providing you with an excellent dining experience.
Duration Rules Sets df for based on the number of covers for each service e.g.
Lunch Tables of between 1 to 2 Covers- 45 mins Tables of between 3 to 4 Covers- 60 mins Tables of between 5 to 8 Covers- 90 mins Tables of between 9 to 12 Covers- 120 mins Tables of between 13 to 99 Covers- 150 mins
Dinner Tables of between 1 to 2 Covers- 60 mins Tables of between 3 to 4 Covers- 90 mins Tables of between 5 to 8 Covers- 120 mins Tables of between 9 to 12 Covers- 150 mins Tables of between 13 to 99 Covers- 150 mins
Short Selling Rules Set the minimum number of covers required for for reservations for each table size / each service e.g.
Lunch Don’t Undersell Tables 2- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 3- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 4- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 5- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 6- Min Covers 4 Don’t Undersell Tables 7- Min Covers 5 Don’t Undersell Tables 8- Min Covers 6 Don’t Undersell Tables 9- Min Covers 7 Don’t Undersell Tables 10- Min Covers 8 Don’t Undersell Tables 11- Min Covers 8 Don’t Undersell Tables 12- Min Covers 10
Dinner Don’t Undersell Tables 2- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 3- Min Covers 2 Don’t Undersell Tables 4- Min Covers 3 Don’t Undersell Tables 5- Min Covers 4 Don’t Undersell Tables 6- Min Covers 5 Don’t Undersell Tables 7- Min Covers 6 Don’t Undersell Tables 8- Min Covers 7 Don’t Undersell Tables 9- Min Covers 8 Don’t Undersell Tables 10- Min Covers 9 Don’t Undersell Tables 11- Min Covers 9 Don’t Undersell Tables 12- Min Covers 10