Working as a waiter is a task that requires skill, patience and excellent time management skills. One of the biggest difficulties waiters face is dealing with table turnover in a busy restaurant. This chapter of our e-book "How to Work as a Waiter Step by Step" will focus on effective strategies for dealing with table turnover.
Firstly, it is important to understand what table turnover is. In simple terms, it is the number of times a table in a restaurant is occupied by different customers during a specific period. The higher the turnover, the more customers a restaurant can serve and, consequently, the more revenue it can generate.
Managing table turnover is a balancing act. On the one hand, you want to serve as many customers as possible to increase revenue. On the other hand, you don't want to rush customers to finish their meals, as this could result in a poor dining experience and possibly a bad review of your restaurant.
So how can you effectively deal with desk turnover? Here are some tips:
1. Know the average meal time: Each restaurant has an average meal time, which is the time customers typically spend at a table. Knowing this time will help you better plan table rotation. If you know that most customers take about an hour to dine, you can plan your table rotation accordingly.
2. Use a reservation system: A reservation system can help manage table turnover. With a reservation system, you can ensure tables are available when customers arrive, reducing wait times and increasing turnover.
3. Provide excellent service: The better the service, the faster customers will eat and leave the restaurant. This doesn't mean you should rush customers, but rather ensure their needs are met promptly. This includes serving food quickly, keeping drinks full, and bringing the bill promptly when asked.
4. Manage customer expectations:If your restaurant is particularly busy, inform customers of the estimated wait time. This can help avoid frustration and ensure customers don't feel rushed.
5. Train your staff:Your wait staff should be trained to handle table turnover. They must be able to serve customers promptly, clear tables quickly, and be ready to serve the next customer.
Dealing with table turnover is an essential part of a waiter's job. With the right strategies, you can ensure your restaurant serves as many customers as possible without compromising service quality. Remember, the goal is to provide an enjoyable dining experience for customers while maximizing restaurant revenue.
We hope this chapter has given you a clear picture of how to deal with table turnover. In the next chapter, we'll explore other essential skills for being a successful waiter. Stay tuned!
