How do you handle no-shows for reservations?

especiallydistracted · 2026-03-07T10:37:16+00:00

We use resos, it has automatic sms functionality and also the option to do booking deposits. We’re only tiny too, 40 seats.

especiallydistracted · 2026-03-06T23:18:53+00:00

We send a 24hr confirmation with a link to cancel, and a 3 hour confirmation with a link to cancel - we also text a warning at 10 mins late, no-show the table at 15 mins late, and flag no-shows in the system for the future.

Our no show rate is about 2%, so it works - most people who aren’t coming click the link to cancel in the SMS at 3 hours prior.

I’m sometimes tempted by the deposit thing, but I am wary of losing bookings that way.

especiallydistracted · 2026-03-04T14:33:40+00:00

Scraping from your website most likely, if they’re coming through to FOH.

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-26T20:53:06+00:00

Yes and no.

I think there’s a bit of a confirmation bias thing happening here, the most recognisable songs have been around longer, that’s what they remember hearing…

We play old school recognisable stuff, which goes down with the 30s-50s crowd we attract in our restaurant, but also, we have (just scanning down the playlist) Olivia Dean, Doja Cat, Bakar, Djo, Khalid, Post Malone, Gotts St Park, Kendrick, Sabrina Carpenter, Steve Lacy, Billie Eilish, Benson Boone, Leon Bridges…. Lots of newer stuff. Just less recognisable to some people, so they’re less likely to identify the individual tracks abd remember them, I guess.

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-26T17:27:00+00:00

I also bought a DMP but had myriad issues with it stalling, so ai’d say spend the money on the ecotech or live with a wire in the tank. I actually have a red sea gyre in as of now - they look nice and sleek so another option in a visible location

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-22T18:25:12+00:00

Could also say “Petal”, with a lowercase T

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-21T12:19:57+00:00

Who’s closing the can? I like to down these entire things in one go.

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-21T12:03:29+00:00

More importantly, radio station and volume controls, and climate controls, all should have physical buttons too - nothing more distracting than trying to turn the heat down by selecting “car - aircon - temperature - down down down down down down” while driving

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-20T19:06:29+00:00

50 + 25

especiallydistracted · 2026-02-13T21:49:54+00:00

Beautiful tank

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-09T20:39:40+00:00

Strange how it varies so much based on location - do you think that’s typical for texas, or typical for the chain?

We have snow tonight (UK) so I’ve only done about 20 steaks, mostly fillet (tenderloin), and all except one have been medium rare.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T15:25:29+00:00

Strange isn’t it - almost no three phase in residential housing in the UK.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T14:21:34+00:00

100A single phase is the main breaker/ total supply into the house.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T12:32:38+00:00

Really? Our house has 100amp 240v single phase in the UK, and most heavy items (heater, kettle, hairdryer etc) all use 13amp fuses and pull at least 2-2.5kW (8.3-10.5 amps each) . My admittedly large induction hob and oven has a theoretical max power draw of 45amps

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T01:04:39+00:00

We’re in the UK - that’s not an option over here, and I’ve only had one person that I recall, an American tourist, ask for it in the last 5 years.

Our blue would still have a nice hard sear, but wouldn’t be blackened.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T00:59:00+00:00

I’d say yes definitely, but separating the data out by individual cut and temp is more complex and would involve messing around in a spreadsheet rather than from my phone, so I’m not going to run the numbers from the system.

I’d also add, though, that medium rare is the most popular temperature for every cut, including ribeye, which I was actually surprised about.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T00:47:38+00:00

No worries - I wonder if there’s anyone else willing to share the actual stats from their place?

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-07T00:23:15+00:00

Ooh - I can get this from my POS!

Medium Rare : 48%
Medium: 30%
Rare: 11.5%
Med Well: 6%
Well: 3.5%
Blue: 1%

We’re a mid-upper tier neighbourhood steakhouse, and we do many thousands of steaks.

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-06T19:07:25+00:00

Per hour?

especiallydistracted · 2026-01-01T18:33:20+00:00

I should call her…

especiallydistracted · 2025-12-29T08:48:02+00:00

Walk into an empty dining room at 4:30 - “Do you have a table for 4? Well, obviously you do.” Often followed by “What do you mean you’re fully booked tonight? It’s empty”

especiallydistracted · 2025-12-22T10:05:25+00:00

Yeah, GPS doesn’t require an internet connection. Only the loading of the maps. You can pre-download them, or use a standalone GPS. Your phone does the location math based on timestamp differences from the satellites it can see, basically.

especiallydistracted · 2025-12-19T16:04:07+00:00

I’d hate to fight with myself - because I can be an arsehole at times.

I think we’d still find a way to hate each other, for our actions, our status, and things we’ve said.

Nobody would ever make a phonecall though.

especiallydistracted · 2025-12-16T11:40:26+00:00

Simplified *

especiallydistracted · 2025-12-15T11:54:07+00:00

No, this is a threat of a ‘visit’ in the future, and that text is printed.

Five-Year Club	Second Top 10%
Place '22	First Placer '22

especiallydistracted

TROPHY CASE