Waitlist management and notifications

Purpose

1.1. Automate guest waitlist entries, updates, and notifications for Afghan restaurants to streamline table handling, reduce staff workload, provide real-time updates, and improve guest satisfaction by minimizing uncertainty and manually checking wait status.
1.2. Ensure prompt notifications (SMS, email, voice, app, WhatsApp, Messenger) when tables are ready, wait times change, or reservations become available, supporting seamless, multilingual guest communication.
1.3. Integrate with POS and reservation systems, handle walk-in and online guests, and maintain accurate, tamper-proof digital records for future business analysis and review compliance.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New guest joins waitlist via web form, mobile app, phone, or in-person host entry.
2.2. Host updates estimated wait time or table status on POS/iPad app.
2.3. Guest advances in queue, reservation modified/canceled, or table becomes free.
2.4. Manual staff signal (button, dashboard) or scheduled auto-reminders based on system logic.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Send SMS when guest added/moves up the waitlist.
• API: Use POST /Messages endpoint with dynamic guest number and message body.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Send transactional email confirmations and reminders to guests.
• API: Use v3 Mail Send endpoint, set "to" as guest email, pre-define waitlist template.
3.3. Pusher
• Feature/Setting: Real-time in-app/browser notifications of waitlist changes.
• API: Trigger channel event with guest or staff device as recipient.
3.4. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Send staff instant alerts when new waitlist action occurs.
• API: Incoming Webhooks, post JSON with guest name/table for staff channels.
3.5. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Log each waitlist event for analytics and audit.
• API: Sheets API append row for each event.
3.6. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Send WhatsApp message update of queue or table ready status.
• API: POST /messages with guest’s number and localized template.
3.7. Facebook Messenger
• Feature/Setting: Messenger bot auto-replies about waitlist status.
• API: POST to Send API with quick replies depending on their position.
3.8. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Email guest a confirmation with QR code waitlist receipt.
• API: /messages endpoint with HTML and QR image link.
3.9. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Log or update Lead/Contact record when guest enters/exits waitlist.
• API: Insert/Update sObject record via REST API.
3.10. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Trigger cross-app workflows after key waitlist milestones.
• Setting: Create zap with webhook or schedule on status change.
3.11. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Trigger nurture/promotion emails after visit from waitlist guest.
• API: Create/Update Contact, trigger workflow with property “Waitlist Completed.”
3.12. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Push notification to manager channel for rush hour queue activity.
• API: Incoming Webhook with adaptive card about current waitlist.
3.13. OpenTable
• Feature/Setting: Sync reservation availability and adjust waitlist automatically.
• API: Reservation API webhooks on change, push to automation.
3.14. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Use base as visual waitlist/queue board with automated status fields.
• API: Records API with create/update events per guest.
3.15. Shopify POS
• Feature/Setting: Alert at register when waitlisted guest’s table opens.
• API: App bridge action, custom notification to POS client.
3.16. Stripe
• Feature/Setting: Charge deposit or no-show fee when guest confirms seat.
• API: PaymentIntent creation after positive action event.
3.17. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Block tables/events and automate time slot assignment.
• API: Events insert/update after reservation status change.
3.18. Discord
• Feature/Setting: Status bot posts for staff's internal coordination of large parties.
• API: Bot message with embed on dedicated channel.
3.19. AWS Lambda
• Feature/Setting: Custom serverless processing on waitlist logic or escalation.
• API: Lambda invoke with payload from waitlist trigger.
3.20. Notion
• Feature/Setting: Waitlist management dashboard with automated table updates.
• API: Database pages create, update status from automation action.

Benefits

4.1. Reduce guest frustration and walkouts with instant transparent updates.
4.2. Lower front-of-house workload, fewer repetitive status questions for staff.
4.3. Systematic, error-free communication across channels and languages.
4.4. Integrate data for analytics, upsell opportunities, and ongoing marketing.
4.5. Improve operational flow, faster guest turnover, and higher table utilization.