Waiting list management and follow-up

Purpose

1.1. Automate all waiting list management and guest follow-up processes for barbecue restaurants, covering entry, notification, priority queuing, estimated wait time messaging, and guest updates.
1.2. Automates the capturing of customer details, expected wait automation tracking, and ensures seamless communication through multi-channel notifications.
1.3. Supports staff automating guest check-ins, automatable wait estimation recalculations, and automates reminders for follow-ups or reservation calls.
1.4. Enables automated archiving and analysis of waitlist activity to improve future automation efficiency.
1.5. Increases guest satisfaction by automating accurate and timely updates on waiting status.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New entry is added to the waiting list (via POS, phone, app, or walk-in).
2.2. Automatable thresholds: Wait time exceeds preset value or table becomes free.
2.3. Customer requests status update or cancels via self-service automation link.
2.4. Staff action or automation system adjustment (e.g., table cleared or reservation changed).
2.5. Preconfigured times for automated follow-up messages (e.g., 5/10/30 minutes intervals).

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Automate “waiting list” notifications via programmable SMS; configure Messaging API with webhook for real-time updates.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Automate guest email confirmations and waiting updates; use Transactional Email API to send automated status messages.
3.3. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Automates staff notifications through Slack Incoming Webhooks; configure automation of new waitlist or guest-updated events.
3.4. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Automatedly log, update, and sync waitlist data via Sheets API; configure row append and update triggers for automation.
3.5. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Automate syncing of guest data and waitlist status in CRM; use Flow or Apex triggers for automation.
3.6. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Automate real-time waitlist management by updating records; configure automations on record update/creation.
3.7. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Automate follow-up emails for waitlist confirmations; use Email API for templated messaging.
3.8. Discord
• Feature/Setting: Automating staff alerts using Bots/Webhooks; set up automated waitlist notifications in dedicated channels.
3.9. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Automate guest segmentation and nurture follow-up; use Workflow API to send automated communications.
3.10. Zendesk
• Feature/Setting: Automate ticket creation for waitlist guest issues; use Triggers/Automations for escalation notifications.
3.11. Pipedrive
• Feature/Setting: Automate customer tracking along waitlist process; use API for automated stage changes and notifications.
3.12. Outlook 365
• Feature/Setting: Automates scheduled email updates with Graph API; configure calendar reminders for staff.
3.13. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Automate guest notifications about waitlist status; set up Message Templates for automation.
3.14. Telegram Bots
• Feature/Setting: Automate notifications to customers and staff; implement Bot API to send/receive automated messages.
3.15. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Automate wait time reminders; use Calendar API to automate event creation for follow-up.
3.16. Facebook Messenger Platform
• Feature/Setting: Automate customer conversations about waiting list status; configure automated replies via Messenger API.
3.17. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Automate staff updates using Bots and Incoming Webooks; configure automated waitlist alerts.
3.18. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Automate workflow between reservation system and waitlist management; configure Zaps for triggers/actions.
3.19. Freshdesk
• Feature/Setting: Automate guest inquiries about waitlist via ticketing; set automation rules for notifications.
3.20. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Automate guest and order sync for BBQ event pre-orders; use Shopify Flow to automate waiting list communications.

Benefits

4.1. Automates reducing manual staff workload by streamlining waitlist management through automation.
4.2. Automatedly improves guest experience with accurate, real-time automated updates and follow-ups.
4.3. Enhances efficiency with seamless multi-platform, automatable notifications.
4.4. Enables deeper analysis of automated waitlist trends to improve restaurant operations.
4.5. Automator creates competitive differentiation with best-in-class automated guest engagement for barbecue restaurants.