Optimizing a business at any scale is no small feat, and when it comes to food and beverage, there are a whole host of additional factors that can add complexity and organizational headache. Floorplans, reservations, guest data, and ever-changing customer needs can be critical decision points for a growing business, which is why it is so important to have a reliable restaurant reservation system. But with so many features and price plans, how do you know which is the right fit for your business? Whether you’re a new restaurateur or a hospitality veteran, let’s dive into the perks of some of the most popular online restaurant reservation services.

 

While not the industry standard for online reservations (something that is quickly changing), SevenRooms’ functionality should not be underestimated. On top of a full suite of organizational tools and a mobile app for management on-the-go, there are a few features that really make Sevenrooms stand out. Most importantly, live data on customer spend and the ability to track it over time, and cost reduction from eliminating the per-reservation fees that a service like OpenTable imposes on its users. It’s a suite of tools specially tuned for turning customers into regulars. With its ease of use and seamless integration into existing systems, SevenRooms is a compelling option for bars, hotels, and restaurants looking to make the switch.

 

As one of the oldest and most established restaurant reservation systems available, it should be no surprise that OpenTable remains a popular choice. It is a robust system with wide reach and all the basic functionalities, easy to use and fast to implement. While certainly competitive, these benefits come with expenses. A hefty startup fee and additional fees with every reservation might dissuade a fledgling business, and while the platform’s restaurant marketplace attracts many eyes and is very popular with customers, the featured venues are curated, which can unfairly punish smaller restaurants. Even so, OpenTable is a solid option, convenient for any business looking to get their CRM up and running.

 

Another major player in the restaurant reservation system market, Resy has earned a following with its robust tools for feedback and customer relationship management. Additionally, Resy’s reservation system has direct integration with channels like Facebook, Trip Advisor, and AirBnb, which can go a long way in driving bookings. What makes Resy unique is that it limits itself to exclusively serving upscale, high-market restaurants in major metropolitan areas. If that description fits your customer base, Resy can be a powerful tool to gain visibility in that market, but more niche businesses might have to look elsewhere. Regardless, Resy’s full-featured package is a boon to any restaurant, and is offered at a cost-effective price. 

 

Another relative newcomer, Tock has been taking up a significant portion of restaurant reservations with its integrated front-of-house solutions. Whether that’s booking a table, handling credit card payments, or managing the floorplan, Tock makes the process easy and intuitive. While its point of sale solutions are top shelf, Tock lacks robust management features, like order ticketing for the kitchen, and must be used in conjunction with other tools. Additionally, the base plan takes 2% of sales from each online order, which might dissuade higher-volume businesses. That said, its ease of use and lowest-in-class monthly fee make for a reservation system that is more than viable for any serious business.

 

Yelp Reservations – recently relabeled as Yelp Guest Manager – comes with the obvious benefit of restaurants being able to streamline their reservations through their Yelp page. That alone might be worth the price of admission, without mentioning POS features like the AI-driven waitlist algorithm, which consistently provides excellent guest experience. Where Yelp starts to stumble is with the high competition on its platform that heavily favors established venues, and a relatively expensive cost of entry for a package that doesn’t integration for mobile phones. That shouldn’t deter you however; it’s a high quality reservation system, especially for venues with a strong Yelp presence, or lots of walk-ins that can take advantage of the waitlist features.

 

Wisely is a competitive reservation system that offers some more uncommon features like ticketed event support for venues that host private experiences, and credit card holds/prepayments that can help vendors save in the event of a no-show. While the Wisely CRM platform is feature rich, its strengths are mostly operational, with little in the marketing and outreach department. Additionally, users have reported that while the software is user-friendly, the mobile version leaves a bit to be desired. With its fast and powerful tools for building and analyzing your database of customers, Wisely is another great choice for your venue.

 

This cloud-based, all-in-one platform that has been growing in popularity thanks to its easy to use tools for day to day operations. Eat App’s greatest strength is its cross-platform functionality, letting users their guests and tables seamlessly on desktops, iPads, and mobile phones alike. While the lack of unique features might bother some users, the platform is still developing and being shaped into a fierce competitor. With that in mind, Eat App is perfect for any business looking for something that put simply– just works.

 

Toast Tables is a natural addition for existing users of Toast POS, offering a simple, user-friendly reservation system complete with Google integration. It also has a handful of useful revenue-generating features like guest profiles, loyalty sign-ups, and table statuses that update automatically. The main drawback is that Toast Tables is a relatively new system, which can leave a lot of its functionality feeling a little bare bones. Additionally, all customer-facing communication is Toast Tables branded, which can be less than ideal for venues looking to cultivate a brand. Even so, the cheap price tag and ease of use make it another good choice.

 

 

What reservation system to use is a problem that gets more complex year after year, as new players enter the market and features are constantly adapted and improved. Finding an All-in-one solution for reservations, CRM, organization and analysis might seem impossible, but all of the choices discussed above should get you closer to the goal. Zocha Group is a Los-Angeles based lifestyle and hospitality management group with global reach and a loyal network in the hospitality and entertainment industries. Connect with Zocha Group for more access, info, and expertise.