3 Ways Restaurants Can Use NextMe’s App to Increase Their Bottom Line

Running a restaurant and getting customers in the door isn't easy. NextME improves guest's experiences and helps restaurants increase customer retention.

Running a restaurant and getting customers in the door is not easy. Even popular restaurants are seeing prospects flee towards the exit due to long wait times for a table. NextMe’s digital waitlist for restaurant employees is significantly improving the customer’s experience at the front-of-house (FOH) and has helped restaurants increase customer retention during wait times.

What’s the secret? Communication. By leveraging mobile technology, NextMe makes it easy for restaurants to seamlessly connect and relay to diners their position in line. Taking the guessing game out of waiting has helped restaurants and other businesses drive more sales over the course of three years, and we want to continue to do so by sharing some tips to help your restaurant improve your bottom line.

Communicate with customers effectively

Communication is key to getting your customers in the door and also getting them to stay. With NextMe’s digital waitlist app, restaurant hosts can send guests an automated SMS text where diners can easily track their place in line using a weblink. With a simple text message, customers are engaged with their position in line and reduces their anxiety as it allows them to manage their time back to the restaurant. Two-way texting also allows customers to reply with “1” to confirm their reservation or “2” to cancel without having to call or physically return to the host stand.

Increase customer retention

Using SMS text as a tool to communicate with your patrons helps increase customer retention by up to 25% during peak hours. Compared to shouting customer’s names one by one off a clipboard, restaurant partners find that their retention rates of waiting patrons increase from 60% up to 90% when using NextMe’s app. With NextMe, hosts can easily manage your patrons’ expectations in real time, allowing your restaurant to retain more customers during peak hours and drive more sales.

Improve marketing ROI

Using text messages for your restaurant increases the value your restaurant can bring to your customers. NextMe’s text message includes a web link that will direct patrons to the restaurant’s virtual waiting room. This page will be styled and branded according to the restaurant’s preferences, such as displaying menus, drink specials and social media pages. Displaying marketing content to waiting patrons increases customer engagement and takes care of patrons when your hosts are too busy checking for table availability.

Frequently asked questions

How does a digital waitlist help a restaurant keep more waiting guests?

Clear communication keeps guests from giving up and leaving. Compared to shouting names off a clipboard, NextMe's restaurant partners find that the retention rate of waiting patrons goes from 60% up to 90%. Guests know where they stand, so they're more willing to stick around during peak hours.

How do restaurant guests keep track of their place in line?

When the host adds a guest to the list, NextMe sends an automated text with a web link. That link shows the guest's position in line in real time, so they can manage their own time and come back when it's close to their turn.

Can guests confirm or cancel their spot by text?

Yes. With two-way texting, guests reply "1" to confirm or "2" to cancel. They don't have to call the restaurant or walk back to the host stand to let you know.

What can a restaurant show guests while they wait for a table?

The text links to a virtual waiting room that the restaurant brands and styles itself. You can display menus, drink specials and your social media pages there. It keeps waiting guests engaged even when your hosts are too busy checking table availability.