The real cost of empty tables
Industry data puts the average restaurant no-show rate between 10-20%. For a 50-seat restaurant turning tables twice on a Friday night, that could be $500 to $2,000 in lost revenue in a single evening.
Most restaurants absorb it because they don't know what else to do. Overbooking creates its own problems. Charging cancellation fees can scare away new guests. The right approach works from multiple angles: make cancelling easy, remind guests their table is waiting, and add just enough accountability to change behavior.
How it works
Set your policy
Choose whether to require a card on file, collect a deposit, or charge a no-show fee -- and set the amounts that make sense for your restaurant.
Guest books a table
When a guest makes a reservation that triggers your policy, they securely enter their card details. No friction for smaller parties if you prefer.
Reminders go out
Automated email confirmations remind guests of their reservation, with text message reminders on paid plans. Most no-shows happen because people simply forget.
No-show? You are covered
If a guest does not show up and does not cancel in time, charge the no-show fee or keep the deposit. The record stays on their guest profile for future reference.
Everything you need to protect your tables
No-show protection is not just about charging fees. It is about building habits and accountability so guests show up in the first place.
Require a credit card to secure the reservation. No charge unless the guest no-shows. This alone reduces no-shows by 40-60% at most restaurants -- the commitment changes behavior.
For large parties, special events, or high-demand nights, collect a deposit at the time of booking. Set the amount per guest or per table. Deposits are applied to the final bill or refunded if cancelled within your window.
Set a flat fee per person or per reservation. When a guest no-shows, charge their card automatically. Your policy is shown clearly during booking so there are no surprises.
Every no-show is tracked on the guest profile. See their no-show rate, past incidents, and decide how to handle future bookings. Some restaurants require deposits from repeat offenders -- that is your call.
Email confirmation reminders go out automatically, with text reminders on paid plans. A simple reminder the day before prevents a surprising number of no-shows.
Guests get a reminder asking them to confirm they're still coming. If plans changed, they can cancel with one tap instead of ghosting. You learn about an open table in time to fill it.
See your restaurant-wide no-show rate over time. Track whether your policies are working. Spot trends by day of week, party size, or booking source.
Related: Guest CRM · All features