Job Aid for Restaurant Reservation Management
Objective: To provide staff with a concise, easy-to-follow guide for managing reservations efficiently, ensuring consistent guest satisfaction and streamlined restaurant operations.
A. Taking Reservations
-
Phone Reservations:
-
Answer within three rings with a friendly greeting.
-
Collect reservation details: Date, time, number of guests, and contact information.
-
Ask about special requirements (e.g., dietary needs, accessibility).
-
Confirm reservation details verbally and offer to send an SMS or email confirmation.
-
Log the reservation in the system immediately.
-
-
Online Reservations:
-
Regularly check the online reservation system for new bookings.
-
Update the system immediately to reflect new bookings and avoid double bookings.
-
Ensure the online booking form is user-friendly and includes all necessary fields.
-
-
Walk-in Reservations:
-
Greet the guest warmly and check for available seating.
-
Use the digital system or reservation book to log the booking.
-
Provide immediate confirmation of the reservation status to the guest.
-
B. Managing the Reservation Book
-
Daily Checks:
-
Start each shift by reviewing the reservations for the day.
-
Verify that all special requests have been noted and communicated to the relevant departments.
-
-
Adjustments and Cancellations:
-
Provide clear instructions on how to handle reservation changes and cancellations.
-
Update the system immediately to free up space or adjust arrangements.
-
C. Handling Special Requests
-
Logging Requests:
-
Document all special requests in the reservation details section.
-
Highlight these requests for easy visibility by the staff.
-
-
Communication:
-
Ensure ongoing communication between front-of-house and back-of-house to accommodate requests efficiently.
-
D. Overbooking and No-Shows
-
Strategies for Overbooking:
-
Implement a calculated overbooking strategy based on historical no-show rates.
-
Train staff on how to handle situations when overbooked to minimize guest dissatisfaction.
-
-
Reducing No-Shows:
-
Implement a reminder system that contacts guests 24 hours before their reservation.
-
Consider requiring credit card details or deposits for larger groups.
-
E. Compliance and Training
-
Regular Training:
-
Conduct training sessions for all new staff and refresher courses annually.
-
Use role-playing and scenario-based training to cover all aspects of reservation management.
-
-
SOP Adherence:
-
Managers should conduct regular checks to ensure the procedures are being followed.
-
Update the Job Aid as needed to reflect changes in policy or new industry practices.
-