Here we’ll discuss the benefits of digitalising your restaurant business. A growing number of apps offer useful features for restaurant staff and customers, such as making reservations without having to make a phone call. More and more restaurants are enjoying the convenience of these apps – here’s why you should consider these solutions for your business.
These platforms can help you save time by avoiding phone bookings and long queues outside your business. Using them gives you a better idea of how many customers to expect, therefore letting you prepare in advance. Some apps also allow you to take a deposit with the reservation, which can minimise late cancellations.
Here are some restaurant booking apps that could be useful for your business.
EatApp
Eat App Restaurant is a cloud-based application that is very simple to learn and can be used on your phone, tablet or computer. The interface shows the floor plan of the restaurant and your customer can select an unoccupied table. The restaurant staff can easily make the table available again after it has been cleaned up. It is straightforward for both staff and customers. Eat App has also partnered with Facebook, Google, Tripadvisor and AMEX and features multiple addons and integrations such as email marketing, customisable widgets and automation.
ResDiary
ResDiary is a system that has services specific to small to medium-sized businesses. The Lite package provides the essentials, commission-free bookings, booking widgets, gift vouchers, as well as Facebook and Instagram integration. The Pro system includes all services except group bookings and is more suitable for a larger single business. Multi-Site is customised, includes group bookings and is ideal for restaurant owners who have 2 or more venues.
TheFork
TheFork management software services offer very detailed features for small to medium-sized businesses. They include a multilingual booking system and 24/7 reservation service. It builds your customer database and communicates with your customers, managing all your customer reviews in one place. The management model is designed to optimise your restaurant’s occupancy rate by proposing special offers and loyalty programs to bookings during off-peak season.
Tock
Tock is an app that considers customers who don’t show up for their reservations; it has features where online deposits are necessary. Other options include waitlists, confirmations, cancellations, and customer notes for dietary requirements.
OpenTable
Open Table offers reservation software and automatic reservation reminders. It has an organising shift summary booking availability for tables when customers book through the restaurant’s website. OpenTable allows you to cover multiple areas of the business terraces, bars, and beer gardens. The platform also saves details of customers’ history, such as dietary requirements, notes, and recommendations.
We hope this guide has helped with choosing the right platform for you. Lincoln Be Smarter is here to help small businesses move forward into the digital world. Contact us by emailing lincolnbesmarter@lincoln.ac.uk and find out more about how we can help your business enjoy the latest in digital technology.
