Waiting List Management

How to Implement Waitlists in Alex Reservations

Managing high demand during peak hours or special occasions can be challenging for restaurants. Alex Reservations offers flexible options to create and manage waitlists, ensuring no opportunity for a booking is missed. Here’s how you can set up and use waitlists effectively:

1. Waitlists with Total Seat Reservations Mode

In the Total Seat Reservations Mode, you can go beyond the physical seating capacity to generate a waitlist by allowing additional reservations as "Pending."

• How It Works:

  • Set the total number of seats to exceed the actual number available.
  • When the confirmed reservations reach the seating capacity, additional reservations are automatically marked as Pending, effectively creating a waitlist.

• Benefits:

  • Captures overflow demand without turning customers away.
  • Allows flexibility to accommodate pending reservations if there are cancellations or early departures.

2. Waitlists with Table Reservations Mode

In the Table Reservations Mode, you can create a waitlist by adding extra "virtual" tables to your system. These tables are used specifically for pending reservations.

• How It Works:

  • Add additional tables in the booking settings to act as placeholders for potential guests.
  • Reservations made for these tables are automatically marked as Pending, indicating they are on the waitlist.

• Benefits:

  • Provides a clear and manageable structure for the waitlist.
  • Pending reservations can be assigned to available tables as cancellations occur or when tables become free.

Managing the Waitlist

1. Automatic Notifications:

   • Customers on the waitlist receive automated emails or SMS notifications updating them about their pending status.
   • Once their reservation is confirmed, they are promptly informed.

2. Administrator Control:

   • The administrator can review and manage pending reservations directly from the control panel.
   • Pending reservations can be prioritized based on booking time, group size, or other criteria.

3. Customer Updates:

   • Through their unique reservation link, customers can monitor their booking status and modify or cancel their pending reservations if needed.

Benefits of Using Waitlists

1. Maximize Revenue:

   • Waitlists allow you to capture additional demand, reducing the likelihood of empty tables due to last-minute cancellations or no-shows.

2. Enhanced Customer Experience:

   • Offering a waitlist ensures customers feel valued, even during peak times, as they know there’s still a chance to dine at your restaurant.

3. Efficient Table Management:

   • By keeping track of pending reservations, you can optimize table turnover and seat as many guests as possible.

4. Flexibility:

   • Both modes of reservation—total seats and tables—allow you to adapt the waitlist setup to suit your restaurant’s needs.