Best Waitlist Software For Your Restaurant

As the restaurant industry continues to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of customer preferences and technology, one area that has seen significant growth is the use of waitlist software. With the rise of online reservations and mobile apps, many restaurants are turning to specialized software to help manage their waitlists. As a result, restaurants are seeing an improvement of overall customer experience.

In this article, we will look at some of the best waitlist software options available in 2023, and discuss the features and benefits that make them stand out in the crowded market.

Top restaurant waitlist software options

• Toast Tables

• TablesReady

• Hostme

• Yelp Waitlist

• Waitlist.me

• LRS Connect platform

• Eat App

• Nextme

How to choose the best restaurant waitlist software

Before diving into the pros and cons of each restaurant waitlist software, it’s good to consider what waitlist management solutions your business needs. Use this checklist to get an idea of what kind of restaurant waitlist software is right for your restaurant.

Checklist:

• Waitlist status
• Messaging notifications
• Public digital waitlist
• Reporting
• Self-check-in
• Customer database
• Easy setup
• Automated table status updates
• Server rotations
• Floor plan import
• Reservation system
• Waitlist widget for websites
• Accurate wait times

Toast Tables

Toast's integrated waitlist is built to enhance hospitality, simplify table management, and keep guests coming back. One feature that differentiates Toast Tables from the competition is the ability to automatically update table status without the host having to do so manually. This is possible because Toast Tables interfaces with your Toast POS. Therefore, when a table cashes out it will automatically update, letting your host know that the table is about to be available.

Pros of Toast Tables

• Instant set up
• Automated table status updates
• Server rotations
• Waitlist status
• Guest profiles
• 2-way SMS
• Loyalty sign-ups
• Data-driven marketing
• Floor plan import
• Application compatible with iOS 12 and Android 11 and later
• Accurate wait times
• Made for restaurants

Cons of Toast Tables

• Available for Toast customers only

Price of Toast Tables

$50/month

TablesReady

TablesReady is a virtual waitlist app and online booking website. With TablesReady customers can add themselves to your waitlist through a variety of ways such as: your website, a kiosk, text message, scanning a QR code, your host, or public digital waitlist.

Pros of TablesReady

• Notifications

• Self-check-in/check-out

• Waitlist status

• Reporting

Cons of TablesReady

• Requires re-login often
• No automatic table status updates
• No Toast POS integration
• Web-based, no iOS app

Price of TablesReady

$50/month (custom pricing available for enterprise level)

Hostme

Hostme is an Intuitive and Customizable Restaurant Reservation System with features such as waitlist, reservation and table management, server rotation, and CRM for restaurants.

Pros of Hostme

• Reservation management

• Waitlist widget for websites

• CRM & Customer database

• Reporting

• Texts and sms

• Accurate wait times

• Online ordering

• Table management

Cons of Hostme

• Basic version lacks POS integration

• Custom branding only possible with the $169/month package

Price of Hostme

$59-$169/month

Yelp Waitlist

Yelp is most known as a hub for restaurant industry reviews by customers regarding their dining experiences. However, Yelp for Restaurants provides solutions such as Guest Manager to book reservations, manage waitlists, and help your front of house.

Pros of Yelp Waitlist

• Reservation management

• Waitlist management software

• Kiosk to handle front-of-house work

• POS integration

• Restaurant waitlist app (Yelp App)

Cons of Yelp Waitlist

• No server synching

• No automatic table status updates

• No table assignment synching

• No Toast guestbook synching

Price of Yelp Waitlist

$99-$299/month (custom pricing option available for 10+ locations)

Waitlist.me

Waitlist.me is a waitlist provider that improves guest experience by sending walk-ins notifications when their tables are ready. Waitlist.me prides itself on being the most straight forward, easiest-to-use waitlist software on the market.

Pros of Waitlist.me

• Waitlist status

• Self check-ins

• Analytics and reporting

• Tutorials

• Reservations and appointment scheduling

• Public waitlist

• Text messaging

• Customizable notifications

Cons of Waitlist.me

• No server synching

• No automatic table status updates

• No table assignment synching

• No Toast guestbook synching

• Does not integrate with POS

Price of Waitlist.me

$23.99-$79.99/month

LRS Connect platform

LRS Connect takes a more old-school approach to waitlists, as they still actively offer pagers/buzzers. They emphasize the importance of contactless waiting options and have been around for a while.

Pros of LRS Connect platform

• Queue management

• Remote check-in

• Guest pagers

• Public waitlist

Cons of LRS Connect platform

• No server synching

• No automatic table status updates

• No table assignment synching

• No Toast guestbook synching

• No floor plan

• Does not integrate with POS

Price of LRS Connect platform

Pricing varies, call for a quote

Eat App

Eat App is a cloud-based system that provides an all-in-one solution for all your restaurant management needs. Eat App allows your hostesses and restaurant staff to quickly and easily add guests to the waitlist directly through the reservation dashboard without eating up extra time during rush hours.

Pros of Eat App

• CRM & guest profiles

• Reservation management

• Integrates with POS

• iOS app available for iPad/mobile

• Customizable floorplan

• Waitlist status

• Accurate average wait times

• Text messaging

Cons of Eat App

• No server synching

• No automatic table status updates

• No table assignment synching

Price of Eat App

$0-$239/month

NextME

NextME makes it simple for businesses to manage their waitlists and appointments to serve more customers. Track visits and wait times, engage your guests in real-time with a custom virtual waiting room, and grow your business.

Pros of NextME

• Reporting

• Digital waitlist

• Self-check-in

• POS integration

• Reservation/appointment booking

• Customizable text messaging

• Guest loyalty tracking

Cons of NextME

• Not built specifically for restaurants

• No server synching

• No automatic table status updates

• No table assignment synching

• No Toast guestbook synching

• No floor plan

Price of NextME

$0-$125 monthly (enterprise-level custom pricing)

What’s best for your specific business?

Implementing a waitlist software at your restaurant can greatly improve the customer experience and streamline the waitlist process. The days of a crowded waiting room in front of your restaurant are coming to an end. The best waitlist software for your restaurant will depend on your specific needs and budget. However, some top options to consider include Toast Tables, Hostme, and Eat App. Be sure to research and compare these options to find the best fit for your restaurant.

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