What are ways I can reduce wait time for customers in my restaurant?

Reduce your customers’ wait time by understanding their experience from start to finish and taking advantage of new technologies. According to Hospitality Tech, loyal diners can bring in 80 percent of new business through recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing. Making sure you cater to these customers can, therefore, have a big impact on your bottom line.

Low Tech Tasks

These days, it’s easy to go straight to technology for an answer to efficiency problems. Although there are some pretty interesting technology tools listed below, let’s start with understanding the principles. Here are some general areas where you can shorten wait times:

Micromanage Staff Organization

Instead of just scheduling bodies, consider each employee’s strengths and weaknesses. Schedule not only work hours but tasks or sections an employee will be responsible for during that shift to improve staff efficiency.

Take Reservations or Call-Ahead Seating

Reward customers who think ahead and plan by putting them on the fast-track to great service.

Train and Reward Employees

Create a team-culture that collects, implements and rewards staff for ideas to reduce wait times and improve efficiency.

Provide Checks Rapidly

You can always train your employees to let customers know they are not rushing them along, but want to let them pay when they are ready.

Boost Busing Time

Clearing vacant tables more quickly and efficiently can help boost turnaround in your restaurant.

Technology Tools

Many technology-based solutions, including a variety of smartphone apps, can help restaurants improve the customer experience and shorten wait times. Here are some of the most innovative:

Point-of-Sale Systems

This is probably the most common tool already used by most restaurants. POS systems allow wait staff to key in customer orders and manage payments through a computerized system.

Wait List Tools

Many restaurants today use a pager system to place waiting customers in a virtual line. Handheld tools vibrate when a table is available. However, smartphone-based wait list systems take the technology one step further. Patrons can use an app to see wait times, get in line, and review the progress of the line over time.

Queue Metric Systems

These systems help collect data on busy periods, existing wait times, the number of walkaways and other metrics. By employing this data, you can make better decisions about staffing and scheduling preventive maintenance tasks during slower periods.

Self-Serve Kiosks or Access

Give customers access to an online menu, a kiosk, or QR codes at a table. You can turn over the ordering process to the customers directly, letting them set the pace. Online bill payment can also reduce wait times.

Table Management

Technology is available to help restaurants see which tables are available. However, advanced management tools also allows you to assign meals to particular seats, which can make meal delivery more efficient. As soon as tables are cleared, a host can be notified immediately so another customer can be seated.

Conclusion

The restaurant business is a competitive one. Although customers’ expectations continue to rise, the number of people desiring to eat out provides much opportunity. These tips can help those starting a new restaurant, re-branding an old one, or just trying to boost business.

Start with a basic evaluation of your customers’ experiences and identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Make small changes. When you can afford upgrades, considering investing in some of the restaurant technology available today. Most of these systems not only help boost efficiency but can also provide you with a wealth of data. By analyzing traffic patterns, busy times, and employee performance, you can make even better business decisions in the future.