Mechanism or Device.
In a recent attempt to book a meal for a family gathering, a local resident encountered a new trend in restaurant booking procedures.
The speaker, who books a family meal outing once a year or less, found the process of reserving a table for themselves, their family, and their grandson challenging. After multiple attempts, they successfully booked a dinner time at a popular local restaurant.
The booking system, automated and efficient, required the provision of bank details for large bookings, with no money being taken initially but a potential deduction for no-shows. The system did not offer a child option for the booking, and the speaker had to specify the day and the number of adults (4) when making the reservation.
For parties of more than 6 people, the system requests bank details, but no money will be taken unless the booking is not honored. If the speaker fails to show up or cancels at the last minute, £5 will be deducted from their account.
This practice of requiring bank details or a credit card hold for large bookings is becoming increasingly common among restaurants. The aim is to reduce the risk of no-shows and cancellations, which can cause significant revenue loss for the restaurant.
Common policies include asking for a deposit per person or a credit card hold at the time of booking for parties of 5 or more, or 6+ guests. Deposits are frequently non-refundable to discourage no-shows and last-minute cancellations. Some restaurants apply additional fees, such as an 18% service fee, for large groups with card holds. Time limits on table occupancy may also be in place to accommodate more guests.
The implications for no-shows are significant. For diners, having a deposit or card hold means they risk losing money if they fail to show or cancel late. However, the financial commitment tends to make customers more likely to honor their bookings, improving table turnover predictability for the restaurant. This, in turn, helps with better revenue management, preventing revenue loss from empty tables.
However, the practice of requiring payment upfront may also lead to customer friction. Some diners may be deterred from booking or feel uncomfortable providing payment info upfront, possibly affecting the overall customer experience.
In summary, the use of bank details or deposits for large party bookings is a common tool restaurants use to mitigate the impact of no-shows, balancing customer commitment against fairness and operational needs.
