Table availability and waitlist notifications

Purpose

1. Inform customers in real-time when tables become available, reducing wait times and increasing customer satisfaction.

2. Allow guests to join a digital waitlist, receive notifications via preferred channels, and update their status without human intervention.

3. Minimize lost business from walkaways and improve staff efficiency by automating waitlist management.

4. Collect actionable data for operational improvements in high-traffic dining periods.

Trigger Conditions

1. Customer joins waitlist (in-person, web, or app form).

2. An existing party vacates a table and staff marks it as ready.

3. Table is ready earlier/later than estimated.

4. Customer confirms, cancels, or does not respond to notification.

5. Manual override by floor staff to expedite next guest.

Platform Variants

1. Twilio SMS

• Function: Send SMS when table status changes
  
• Configuration: Use Messaging → Messaging Services; API endpoint /Messages
  

2. SendGrid

• Function: Email notification to guest
  
• Configuration: Mail Send API (/mail/send), dynamic templates
  

3. Telegram Bot API

• Function: Auto-push notification via Telegram
  
• Configuration: sendMessage endpoint, bot token, customer chat IDs
  

4. WhatsApp Business API

• Function: Notify via WhatsApp
  
• Configuration: messages endpoint, Twilio WhatsApp integration
  

5. Slack

• Function: Staff notification for oversight
  
• Configuration: Incoming Webhooks, channel=waitlist-alerts
  

6. Discord

• Function: Community or VIP customer notification
  
• Configuration: Webhook URL, embed message payload
  

7. Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)

• Function: In-app push notification
  
• Configuration: FCM send API, device registrationTokens
  

8. AWS SNS

• Function: Multi-channel SMS or app push
  
• Configuration: Publish API; SMS or MobilePush protocols
  

9. Pusher Channels

• Function: Web app real-time status updates
  
• Configuration: Trigger 'table-available' event on customer channel
  

10. Microsoft Teams

• Function: Internal restaurant team alert
  
• Configuration: Incoming Webhook connector, JSON adaptive cards
  

11. HubSpot

• Function: CRM contact update/notification
  
• Configuration: Workflow trigger, Send Email/SMS action
  

12. Zapier

• Function: Connect diverse notification services
  
• Configuration: Event triggers, Webhooks app, filter/route paths
  

13. Brevo (ex-Sendinblue)

• Function: Transactional SMS or email
  
• Configuration: Transactional Email/SMS API endpoints
  

14. MessageBird

• Function: Multi-channel messaging (SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger)
  
• Configuration: Conversations API, channel-specific settings
  

15. Plivo

• Function: Automated SMS calls for customer updates
  
• Configuration: Message API, source/destination number setup
  

16. ClickSend

• Function: Bulk SMS and email
  
• Configuration: SMS API, voice API for call notification
  

17. Line Messaging API

• Function: Notify customers on Line
  
• Configuration: push message endpoint, user/channel access token
  

18. Google Calendar API

• Function: Block reservation slot and send notification
  
• Configuration: Events.insert, notificationSettings
  

19. Zendesk

• Function: Log waitlist ticket and trigger notification
  
• Configuration: Ticket trigger, Notify targets
  

20. AirTable

• Function: Track waitlist and trigger integration for notification
  
• Configuration: Automation → When record updated, Webhook action
  

Benefits

1. Ensures timely communication, reducing walkouts due to uncertainty.

2. Increases table turnover efficiency and maximizes seating capacity.

3. Empowers customers with clear, preferred-channel updates, boosting satisfaction.

4. Creates digital logs for analytics and continuous service improvement.

5. frees up staff from repetitive notification duties, refocusing on hospitality.