The importance of online reservations for consumers
The restaurant industry is continuously brewing new trends, especially with the rise of digital technologies. Restaurateurs must now navigate a digital jungle, juggling online reservations, interactive menus, and loyalty apps. By enthusiastically adopting these innovations, they not only tantalize their customers but also cook up success. In today's world, it's not just about cooking well; it's about clicking well too!
Currently, over 80% of French people search for a table online, with half of these searches conducted via mobile. In this context, it is crucial for restaurateurs to refine their online presence to stand out. This means appearing as appetizing online as they are in real life! By having a mobile-friendly interface, simplified reservations, and mouth-watering dish descriptions, they will have all the tools at their disposal.
Given the surge in digital preferences, restaurateurs must adapt or risk missing opportunities. Online reservations emerge as an indispensable solution. They simplify reservation management, ease dining room pressure, enhance the customer experience, and boost your turnover.
Zenchef offers its online reservation management software, commission-free, providing independence, time savings, and improved performance!
8 Advantages of using an online booking system
Handling reservation calls
At Shabour in Paris, a Zenchef client, they share: “Answering the phone requires specially trained personnel. If, for any reason, we cannot answer, clients will be frustrated, and we will bear the blame.” Zenchef clients receive dozens of calls every day. On average, 10% of calls are missed. (Source : Zenchef)
Instruct your voicemail to inform customers they can book online via Zenchef at any hour. Ensure online systems capture specific preferences, dietary restrictions, and quick confirmation timelines.
Transforming consumer habits
Consumer habits have shifted significantly. Today, 69% of French people have booked a table online, with 31% doing so regularly. (Source Zenchef)
In this click-centric world, restaurateurs need to pull out all the stops to charm connected consumers. Creating a seamless and fun online booking experience can make potential customers' mouths water. A successful reservation today could well lead to future regular bookings.
The younger generations, particularly those aged 18-34, even turn to social media to choose a restaurant, unlike older generations who still favor gastronomic guides like Michelin and Gault & Millau.
Misaligned booking hours
Clients' preferred reservation times can be surprising. 18% of bookings occur between 10 PM and 10 AM when your restaurant is likely closed for bookings. If you have the chance to use a 24/7 online reservation system, you’ll miss no reservations. (source : Zenchef)
By doing this, your restaurant stays "open" even after closing its doors, allowing you to capture every opportunity, even during dreams of culinary grandeur.
Reducing no-shows
Another major advantage of online reservations is reducing no-shows. For example, Maison de la Truffe et du Vin du Lubéron managed to cut its no-show rate to 0%, doubling its occupancy and increasing turnover by 20%.
Avoid disappointment by blocking reservation slots during vacations or renovations, and effectively communicating with your clients.
Before reopening, proactively open reservations in advance. This approach has several benefits:
- See real-time occupancy rates for each service
- Never miss a reservation, as bookings can be made 24/7
- Maintain control over operations
- Motivate teams with complete service bookings in perspective
- Anticipate stock and staffing needs
Impact on revenue
Adopting a system like Zenchef can significantly impact restaurant revenue. For example, Les Pierres Fondues saw its turnover grow by 20% after integrating Zenchef. About 85% of bookings are made outside service hours. This system captures clients who book at any time, reducing human errors linked to phone reservations.
Data usage for optimizing booking times
Zenchef offers analytics tools that help restaurateurs better understand client booking behaviors, thereby optimizing their hours. For instance, slow periods can be invigorated with special offers—a yield management strategy used in hospitality to adjust prices based on demand and optimize occupancy rates.
Time-saving efficiency
Online reservations offer automated management, accessible 24/7. They reduce communication errors and automatically integrate reservations into your management system. This optimizes table occupancy rates and enhances profitability.
Matthieu Barbe from Les Pierres Fondues explains, "It allows us direct management of requests and smoother reservation flow." On average, you can save up to two hours per day on booking management!
Increased fill rate and better profitability
From Zenchef’s mobile app, reservations are possible anytime, guaranteeing no missed requests and maximizing fill rates. Zenchef also provides a table plan management tool integrated with the reservation system, promoting optimal restaurant floor organization, improving service efficiency, and allowing for better personnel management.
Testimonials from restaurateurs
Restaurant Folia, Montpellier
Within a wine-growing domain, Folia is a staple for business lunches in Montpellier. Pierre de Colbert uses Zenchef to enhance website visibility and manage online bookings, improving room occupancy visibility.
Restaurant Vidal, Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
J.P. and C. Vidal, assisted by their son Aurélien, simplified their organization with Zenchef. "We save time and know our guests better."
À Mi-Chemin, Paris
Awarded by Pudlowski for the best reception, they use Zenchef for web management and centralized reservations.
Le Shabour, Paris
Le Shabour eliminates phone burdens using online reservations. “The system is practical and meets clients’ expectations.”
Le Prince Noir, Bordeaux
Zenchef ensures uninterrupted reservation access, broadening the clientele access.
Le Bistrot Gourmand, Cannes
Guillaume Arragon emphasizes Zenchef's value in ensuring time for cooking by managing reservations efficiently.
Les Garçons, Nice
"Clients book online, and if a slot isn’t available, we offer another time easily through the app," shared Frédéric Martineau-Chalain from Les Garçons.
Comparison: Online booking vs. Phone booking
Phone booking advantages
- Immediate exchanges
- Personalized discussions of specific needs
- Instant confirmation for special occasions
Phone booking disadvantages
- Time-consuming and requires manual updating
- Service disruptions during peak hours
- 10% of calls go unanswered
- Prone to miscommunication and organizational challenges
Tools offered by Zenchef
Reservation management module
Zenchef offers a module directly integrated into the restaurant’s website, managing real-time availability, reducing communication errors, and optimizing occupancy.
Zencall
Zencall is a tool that elevates call management by automatically extracting call information into Zenchef’s interface.
Partnership with Google
Zenchef collaborates with Google, integrating the "Book a Table" button on Google listings, centralizing reservations into Zenchef.
Integrations and technological partnerships
Zenchef integrates with platforms like L’Addition to streamline data centralization and reduce errors in reservation management.
Trends & Innovations
AI and online reservations
Advancements in AI and Big Data are transforming reservation management. Innovations like Google Duplex are poised to further automate the process.
Voicebots and chatbots
Implementing voicebots and chatbots enhances reservation handling. Zenchef plans to integrate these technologies soon, providing 24/7 automatic client responses.
Fostering loyalty through online booking
Importance of client data management
Managing data is essential for fostering loyalty. Tools like Zenchef help restaurateurs centralize customer information, adapting offerings to ensure higher satisfaction levels.
Loyalty and revenue growth
Fostering loyalty is always less expensive than attracting new clients. Zenchef reduces expenditure by avoiding reservation portal commissions while optimizing revenue.
For restaurateurs wishing to transform their reservation management, explore optimizing bookings while boosting income through a free Zenchef demo.
