Guide · Restaurants
Reducing no-shows in your restaurant: 6 measures that work
An empty table on a full night is revenue you never get back, especially in a small restaurant. Most no-shows aren’t ill will: guests forget, or don’t cancel because it’s too much hassle. These six measures make it easy for guests to show up, or to cancel in time.
1. Confirm straight away, with a calendar invite
A confirmation email right after booking, with date, time and party size, and a button to add the booking to the calendar. What’s in the calendar gets forgotten less.
2. Send a reminder the guest confirms with one click
A short reminder the day before, with a "Yes, I’m coming" button. That way you know on the day which tables are certain.
3. Make cancelling easy
It sounds counterintuitive, but a guest who can cancel with one click will actually do so. Then you still have time to fill the table again, instead of waiting in vain.
4. Ask for a deposit from groups
A group that doesn’t show up hurts the most. A deposit from a certain party size, by Bancontact or card, creates commitment. Briefly explain why you ask: guests understand that a small restaurant feels an empty table.
5. Track no-shows per guest
If someone failed to show up before, you want to see that straight away with a new booking. Then you decide whether to ask for extra confirmation or a deposit.
6. Fill freed-up tables from a waitlist
Fully booked? Let guests join a waitlist. When someone cancels, you immediately see who to call.
How DAIT Table helps
DAIT Table does all of this automatically, in Dutch, French and English:
- Confirmation email with calendar invite
- Reminder with confirm button
- Cancel via a link in the email
- Deposits from a party size you choose, with an explanation for the guest
- No-shows tracked in the guest profile
- Waitlist
Frequently asked questions
Doesn’t a deposit put guests off?
That’s why it works best only from a certain party size, with a short explanation. Small bookings stay payment-free.
What happens if a guest doesn’t pay?
A booking waiting for a deposit that isn’t paid lapses automatically after a short time, so the table becomes available again.