Controlling table turnover is key to maximizing your restaurant's profits: welcoming as many customers as possible, while ensuring an optimum level of service, is THE challenge to be met if you are to succeed in the 2023 summer season.
Average table turnover is calculated by dividing the number of customers seated by the number of tables available, over a given period. Table turnaround time is the time your customer spends in your restaurant, from arrival to departure. Of course, the interesting thing is to perform these calculations at different times of day, on different days of the week!
Your challenge at peak times? To serve as many customers as possible, and therefore minimize table occupancy time, without your customers feeling rushed - their satisfaction being your priority ...
TIP 1: Rely on digital tools
With Popina, you'll be at the cutting edge of technology.
Just imagine: your servers would all be equipped with remote controls. An ultra-powerful, robust and lightweight terminal would enable them to be mobile, more autonomous and reactive - especially at the height of the rush! Orders would be processed in real time, sent directly to the kitchen, dishes would arrive faster, there'd be less waiting and less time spent at the table. Orders would be taken and paid for on the same terminal. The TPE would accept traditional and non-traditional payments: cash, chip and PIN cards, with or without signature, contactless, QR code...
The smoother and quicker the reception, table assignment, order-taking and payment process, the higher your table turnover. And what's more, your customers will be satisfied!
TIP 2: Customize your application
Thanks to the features of your Popina cash register, you can customize everything to suit your business and save time. Quick to deploy, intuitive and customizable, the Popina application offers a basic functionality, to which you can add numerous services according to your needs; whether you have a small catering area or a large one.
For example, you can choose to bookmark the 3 payment methods most frequently usedby your customers, so you can collect faster. With the next order notification option, you save precious minutes in your service time: as soon as an order is cashed and closed, a new blank order window is automatically displayed! Thanks to the on-the-fly option, you can manage customers with ultra-specific expectations by adding personalized, non-configured comments: 'open calzone', 'no onion, no bell pepper'; without having to go to the kitchen in person. And finally, with note separation, you allow your customers to pay for their drinks alone or for the whole bill, using the payment method they prefer.
TIP 3: Digitalize your menu
Offer a digital menu: as soon as your customers are seated, they have access to the menu and can quietly make their consumption choices, without waiting for a waiter to be available, and with no risk to their health: limited points of contact. The digital menu is an easy, fast and secure tool: it takes the form of a QR Code, placed on the table, and is directly synchronized with your card. The customer simply scans the QR Code with their smartphone, and that's it! No more friction with the waiter when the customer is in a hurry to order: he manages his time in your establishment autonomously.
The little extra? You can customize the design of your menu, add quality photos, talk about the different services you offer... a great customer experience in perspective... To be shared, and even abused (without moderation) on your social networks!
TIP 4: Accept group bookings
Many restaurants prefer to work without reservations, to avoid the potential loss caused by no-shows; yet it's an unstoppable way of limiting your customers' waiting time - and a security feature that many appreciate! Online reservations are also an excellent channel for building customer loyalty and collecting their consumption habits for tailor-made retargeting.
Simplify your booking process and save invaluable time! Our commission-free online booking module integrates with Google Widget, eliminating the need for a dedicated employee. Depending on your constraints, you set the tool to maximize your revenue.
TIP 5: Rearrange your tables to suit your available space
Personalize your seating plan. Popina makes it easy! You can easily take advantage of all theavailable space in your restaurant or terrace, group tables according to reservation requests and assign a dedicated waiter. Your restaurant is booked and you'd still like to add a temporary table for two? Don't worry, it will disappear once payment has been made.
A word of advice? Don't let two people sit on a table of 4. You never know if you'll need to use the table for a larger group of people.
TIP 6: Motivate your team to be even more responsive
Train your teams and prepare them to react appropriately when a frictional situation arises with a customer. Unite them! The link between front-of-house staff and kitchen staff is inseparable.
Optimize their schedules without pulling your hair out! Our application will help you manage your employees more easily. All you have to do is configure the app according to your own criteria: for each of your employees, enter the type of contract, vacations, days off, qualifications, level of responsibility and availability, and create your schedules in just one click! A change in your schedule? Your employees are notified instantly. It's a real time-saver when it comes to modifying work schedules, without having to know everyone's availability by heart.
TIP 7: Make it even more responsive
Optimize their schedules without pulling your hair out! Our application will help you manage your employees more easily. All you have to do is configure the app according to your own criteria: for each of your employees, enter the type of contract, vacations, days off, qualifications, level of responsibility and availability, and create your schedules in just one click! A change in your schedule? Your employees are notified instantly. It's a real time-saver when it comes to modifying work schedules, without having to know everyone's availability by heart.
TIP 8: Equip your kitchen to serve your orders on time
You can handle any rush with the kitchen printer! Your order forms and preparation tickets will always be sent to the right place.
TIP 9: Offer your customers payment at the table and make your service more fluid
No one can escape the digitalization of payment methods! And in the end, those who try it, adopt it... Payment in a restaurant is a key stage in your customer's experience. So save time on service with our application!
Your customers can pay directly at the table, by scanning their QRCode at the end of the meal, via their mobile. They pay by credit card, can choose to divide the bill between diners and leave a tip. The customer experience is enhanced: no more waiting, no more desperately trying to meet the eye of a waiter under pressure, no more queuing at the counter to pay the bill, your customer feels free to enjoy the time spent in your restaurant, and your table rotation is optimized.
And let's not forget the digitization of tips and the dematerialization of receipts!
TIP 10: Act in advance to minimize the number of customers who book but don't show up - without cancelling!
What can you do to anticipate this situation?
Limit your reservation slots.
Ask for a bank imprint during the online booking process, with a fixed 'deposit' amount that you choose according to the standing of your restaurant.
Sends reminder text messages to confirm reservations, with two link options: confirm or cancel!
In conclusion:avoid unfavorable opinions!
In short, managing the optimization of table rotation is essential to the success and efficient running of your restaurant. Using a touch register like Popina gives you ultra-relevant levers for managing your tables, so you can save time and concentrate on serving, cooking and serving the customer. With Popina, you can optimize your tables quickly and efficiently, manage orders more precisely and offer a better customer experience. You can keep an eye on your ratios and sales figures, take customer preferences into account, build loyalty and offer them a more pleasant dining experience: a varied menu, quality products, a well-kept setting, personalized attention, news on social networks...
And even if your customers come to spend a special moment in your establishment: 'time is money for everyone'! Friction points usually arise during seating, order taking, waiting time for dishes to come out, and the bill!
Waiting time is a key success factor in getting positive reviews for the time spent in your restaurant ... and winning new customers. That's why all our tips are tailored to your type of restaurant.
Click here to request a quote and optimize your table rotation!
