Table management is the active steering of tables, reservations and seating times — with the goal of using existing capacity to the maximum without guests feeling processed. Reality in many venues: reservations block four-tops for two people, the 7 pm block clogs the evening, and at 9 pm guests stand outside a half-empty room. Good table management gets 15–25% more evening capacity from the same space.
Enter room and evening data — theoretical capacity and unused potential appear instantly.
100% is an illusion (table-size mismatch, turnover gaps, no-shows) — 70–80% use on strong evenings is excellent. The potential above calculates conservatively up to 75%: multiply by your average check and you see what the evening could additionally carry.
| Lever | Practice |
|---|---|
| Time slots instead of "from 7 pm" | Slots (5:30 / 8:00) or staggered start times spread the demand — the second seating is the biggest single lever of the evening. |
| Know seating times honestly | POS data shows real dwell time per occasion (à la carte vs. set menu, 2-top vs. 6-top) — set the reservation grid on facts, not guesses. |
| Steer the table-size mix | Combinable 2-tops instead of fixed 4-top blocks; configure the reservation system so 2 people don't block 4-tops. |
| Walk-in buffer | Keep 10–20% of seats unreserved (bar, window tables) — walk-ins are spontaneous demand without no-show risk. |
| Communicate the slots | "We can offer the table until 8 pm" belongs in the confirmation AND the greeting — transparent pacing annoys nobody, surprise pacing everybody. |
Not when communicated honestly and timed realistically (105–120 minutes à la carte). Many guests deliberately pick the early slot. What scares away: the surprise at the table — never pace without saying so beforehand.
Concept-dependent: casual 90–105 minutes, upscale 120–150, tasting menus longer. Decisive is your own measured value from the POS — and a grid that matches kitchen speed.
Works only with a permanent demand surplus in a high-footfall location. For most venues the mix is optimal: reservable core capacity for plannability, a walk-in buffer for spontaneity and full evenings.