Every restaurant owner knows that maximizing restaurant table turnover is crucial for profitability. The average table turnover rate directly impacts revenue, indicating how quickly tables are filled and emptied.
This article explores effective strategies to enhance restaurant table turnover rates, focusing on optimizing seating guests without compromising the dining experience. Let’s dive into the details!
Opening a restaurant requires many aspects to consider in order to start and maintain a profitable restaurant. One crucial factor is achieving the table turnover sweet spot, where dining parties are efficiently seated and served without long wait times.
Striking this balance ensures a steady flow of customers throughout the day, optimizing the restaurant’s revenue potential. Thus, mastering the art of managing table turnover rates is essential for long-term success.
What is a table turnover rate?
The table turnover rate measures how quickly tables in a restaurant are occupied and then vacated by diners. In other words, it measures how frequently tables are occupied within a set timeframe, like the dinner period.
This metric is crucial as it determines the restaurant’s capacity, which is fixed by the number of tables available.
A high table turnover rate indicates that tables are being used efficiently. In contrast, a low table turnover rate may suggest longer dining times or empty tables, potentially impacting revenue and restaurant performance.
How to calculate the restaurant’s table turnover rate?
To calculate the restaurant’s table turnover rate, follow these steps:
- Step 1. Determine the time period: Choose a specific time frame (for example, a day, a week, or a month) for which you want to calculate the turnover rate.
- Step 2. Count the number of parties seated: Count the number of dining parties seated during the chosen time period. This includes both individual diners and groups.
- Step 3. Count the available tables or seats: Determine the total number of tables or seats in your dining room available for seating during the same time period.
- Step 4. Divide the number of parties seated by the number of available tables or seats: The next step is to divide the total number of parties seated by the total number of available tables or seats. The result will be the table turnover rate for the chosen time period.
- Step 5. Multiply by 100: If you want to express the turnover rate as a percentage, multiply the result from step 4 by 100.
The formula for calculating looks as follows:
Table Turnover Rate = (Number of Parties Seated / Number of Available Tables or Seats) * 100
Example of calculating table turnover rate
Let’s assume 200 parties were seated in a restaurant with 50 available tables during the day. Following the table turnover rate, the calculation is as follows:
Table Turnover Rate = (200 parties / 50 tables) * 100 = 4 parties per table
This means that you can anticipate turning each table over four times during dinner service, meaning each table will serve four turns of diners.
According to Overproof, the average table turnover rate in restaurants is typically around three turnovers per table during a meal service.
This figure can vary depending on the restaurant type. As Agilence states:
- The average table turnover rate for fast-casual restaurants is typically higher. A good rate is around 4-5 times per hour during peak hours, meaning each table is occupied for about 12-15 minutes before being cleaned and reset for the next guests.
- The average table turnover rate for QSRs is 6-8 times per hour during peak hours. This means each table is occupied for approximately 7.5-10 minutes before being cleaned and reset for the next guests.
Note: If your restaurant primarily has tables for many guests, serving these parties will take longer, and the table turnover rate will be lower. Instead of increasing the table turnover rate, it is better to focus on increasing the average check size per customer to maintain restaurant profitability.
What is the average seat turnover rate?
The average seat turnover rate refers to how quickly seats in a restaurant are occupied and then vacated by diners. It is similar to the table turnover rate but focuses on individual seats rather than entire tables. This rate can also vary depending on the restaurant’s style, cuisine, and customer flow.
The formula for calculating the average seat turnover rate looks as follows:
Average Seat Turnover Rate = Total number of customers served / Total number of seats
Example of calculating the average seat turnover rate
Let’s say you have a restaurant with 50 seats, and you seat 200 diners throughout one evening (let it be 4 hours).
To calculate the average seat turnover rate:
- Step 1. Determine the total number of seats: 50 seats
- Step 2. Determine the total number of diners seated: 200 diners
- Step 3. Calculate the total potential seat capacity: 50 seats × 4 hours = 200 seats (since there are 50 seats available for each of the 4 hours)
- Step 4. Calculate the seat turnover rate:
Total number of diners seated / Total potential seat capacity = 200 diners / 200 seats = 1 diner per seat
In this example, the average seat turnover rate is 1 diner per seat over the course of the evening. This means that, on average, each seat was occupied once during the entire 4-hour period.
Table turnaround time refers to the duration of a diner’s stay in a restaurant from the moment they are seated until they leave.
Calculate the turnaround time to determine the ideal duration a diner spends in your restaurant. Analyze this across different dining times to establish an average, which will help you understand your table turnover performance and set achievable restaurant goals.
14 tips to increase table turnover rate
Below, we have created a list of helpful tips for increasing your restaurant’s table turnover.
Tip 1: Consolidate server visits
Consolidating server visits means combining multiple tasks into one trip to a table, significantly reducing the time spent at each table. For instance, servers can take orders, deliver drinks, and check on customer satisfaction all at once.
This approach speeds up restaurant customer service and minimizes guest interruptions, enhancing their dining experience. Efficiently managing their movements allows servers to handle more tables within the same timeframe, thereby increasing the table turnover rate.
Tip 2: Promote teamwork among servers
On the one hand, staff members must know their specific responsibilities. For example, hosts should be attentive to waiting customers and assign them seats as soon as they are available, and bussers must clear tables promptly after guests have finished and set up cutlery for the next group.
On the other hand, rigidly adhering to these roles can be counterproductive. The restaurant owner or manager’s role is to maintain balance.
For instance, if waiters are overwhelmed, other employees should step in to help. The same applies to the division of table care among individual waiters. If one waiter’s section is fully occupied and another’s is less busy, the less occupied waiter should assist their colleague. This flexibility can enhance the speed of service, improve order fulfillment, and boost customer satisfaction.
Tip 3. Don’t seat incomplete parties
Another way to increase the table turnover is to avoid seating incomplete parties. Why? If only some guests show up and sit at the table while waiting for the others, they usually delay placing an order.
This results in the table being occupied without generating revenue, and the waitstaff cannot take the order. Meanwhile, other guests may be standing in line, waiting for a table.
Implement a policy prohibiting incomplete seating during busy shifts to avoid this situation. This practice is increasingly popular, especially during rush hours. However, for groups booking a table outside peak hours, you can be more flexible and allow partial groups to be seated since you have other free tables and no waiting queue.
Tip 4: Encourage customers to leave their table after finishing eating
Another tip that helps restaurants maintain an optimal table turnover rate is encouraging customers to leave their tables after finishing their meals.
One method is to gradually clear the table over multiple visits, removing plates and utensils each time while asking if the guests need anything else. This signals that their dining experience is nearing its end.
Another approach is to bring the bill, indicating that it’s time to free the table for other guests. However, remember that this technique is not easy, and it’s crucial to handle this tactfully.
If your restaurant has a bar, you can suggest guests move there for a drink or dessert. In a more casual setting, you can be honest and inform them that other guests are waiting for a table. Always communicate this politely and tactfully to maintain a positive dining experience.
Tip 5: Prepare certain popular menu items in advance
No matter what type of restaurant you run, a lot is happening, and your employees are always busy. That’s why you can prepare some menu items in advance to make meal service more efficient. This helps save employees’ time and prevents guests from waiting too long for their meals.
What exactly can be done? For example, it can involve pre-filling dispensers or ramekins with popular sauces and dressings, preparing water pitchers in advance, or partially prepping popular menu items. However, remember to keep food quality as it is one of the most important factors determining customer repeat visits.
Tip 6: Recommend menu items that can be quickly prepared by the kitchen
When you’re in the midst of a busy period and need to maintain a high table turnover rate, recommend menu items to guests that are quicker to prepare.
For example, if guests decide between a grilled cheese sandwich and a slow-cooked lasagna, steer them towards the quicker-to-prepare grilled cheese.
Tip 7: Simplify your restaurant menu
Limit the menu options to avoid overwhelming your guests and to streamline the kitchen operations.
By focusing on a curated selection of dishes, you can enhance the quality and consistency of each meal.
Implement menu engineering to strategically design your menu, highlighting high-margin and popular items, which can also guide customers towards quicker choices and improve overall efficiency.
Tip 8: Offer time-sensitive promotions
Implement time-limited offers during peak hours to encourage faster dining.
For example, offer a discount on meals ordered and finished within a certain timeframe. This can motivate customers to eat more quickly without feeling rushed.
Tip 9: Create a QR code menu
Implementing a QR code menu leverages restaurant technology to enhance efficiency and safety in the restaurant industry.
If you create a QR code menu, guests can access your digital menu by scanning it with their smartphones, reducing the need for physical menus and minimizing contact.
This speeds up and smooths the ordering process, improving the dining experience and helping to achieve a higher table turnover rate. It also allows for quick and easy menu updates without reprinting costs.
Tip 10: Offer tableside ordering
Offering tableside ordering in your restaurant can really speed up table turnover by letting guests order and pay directly from their tables using their mobile devices. It cuts down on long lines and wait times, makes service faster, and reduces restaurant labor costs.
Moreover, with more accurate orders, there’s less restaurant food waste, and guests get a better experience since they can order at their own pace, often leading them to order more.
Tip 11: Implement online reservations
A restaurant reservation system can help increase table turnover by managing bookings efficiently and avoiding overbooking or missed reservations.
It lets you easily adjust booking policies for different time slots and party sizes, making the process smoother for both customers and staff.
Moreover, with automated reservation reminders and confirmation options, you can cut down on no-shows and keep everything running smoothly.
Tip 12: Play upbeat, energetic music
Another aspect is the music in the restaurant. According to research conducted by ResearchGate, guests are much more likely to eat faster when fast and loud music is played in the background than when calm, slow music is played.
Tip 13: Use stimulating colors in the restaurant’s decor
Another way to encourage faster table turnover rates is to focus on the restaurant’s decor. Use stimulating colors like red, orange, and yellow to create an energetic atmosphere that discourages guests from lingering too long.
As Business Insider mentions, fast food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell use colors strategically to influence customer behavior. Yellow evokes feelings of comfort, while red triggers hunger and impulsive behavior. This combination, known as the “Ketchup and Mustard Theory,” is designed to attract customers and encourage quick dining.
Other examples include Burger King’s use of red and yellow to promote a lively atmosphere and Wendy’s incorporation of red to increase appetite and excitement.
Red, orange, and yellow are more effective at keeping guests alert and moving than warm, soft tones that make people more comfortable and inclined to spend more time in the restaurant.
Tip 14: Balance seating comfort
Comfortable armchairs and soft chairs encourage guests to spend more time at the table. Therefore, it’s important to balance comfort and the need to offer the same table to subsequent guests to increase table turnover. Ensure comfort without encouraging prolonged stays.
Moreover, remember that tables in the middle of the room are less comfortable for guests.
Additionally, consider the size of the groups you most often host. If your clientele mainly consists of couples, replacing large tables with more two-person tables may be beneficial.
Key Takeaways
- Encourage teamwork among restaurant staff and consolidate server visits to handle multiple tasks at once.
- Avoid seating incomplete parties to prevent delays and ensure that tables are promptly available for complete groups.
- Simplify your menu and promote items that can be quickly prepared.
- Implement tools like a QR code menu and tableside ordering to streamline the ordering process.
- Use stimulating decor and upbeat music to create an energetic environment that encourages guests to dine efficiently without feeling rushed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you calculate table turnover rate?
In order to calculate table turnover rate, you need to follow the formula:
Table Turnover Rate = Number of Parties Served
For example, if you serve 60 parties in one evening and have 20 tables, your table turnover rate would be:
Table Turnover Rate = 60 / 20 = 3
This means each table is turned over three times during the service period.
What does high table turnover mean?
A high table turnover rate means that a restaurant can serve more parties in a given period of time. This generally indicates efficient service, as tables are cleared and reset quickly, allowing new guests to be seated without long waits.
What is the average table turn time?
According to Performance Foodservice, during the dinner period, tables in a family restaurant typically turn over three times (every 1.5 hours), while in a fine dining establishment, tables usually flip every 2 hours. In a casual venue, tables turn over approximately every 1 hour and 15 minutes.
According to Restaurant Hospitality, a 45-minute table turnover time is ideal for maximizing both revenue and tips. It ensures a steady flow of customers while maintaining high service quality.
