01
Connect calendars and define your floor
Sync Google or Outlook calendars, set open hours and service durations, map tables and sections, then link events to your dining room capacity for accurate online restaurant booking.
02
Build reservation and waitlist workflows
Create confirmations, reminders, and two way SMS. Route overbooked requests to a waitlist, notify hosts in Slack, and auto fill cancellations with queued guests for no show reduction restaurant results.
03
Track attendance and optimize
Use check in links, QR codes, and webhook events to mark guests as seated. Analyze reminder performance, cancellation timing, and table turns to improve operations and guest experience.
01
Fewer empty tables from reliable reminders
Cut preventable no shows with automated email and SMS reminders that include confirm, cancel, or modify options. Cal.com workflows send timely nudges at booking, 24 hours before, and day of service. Add deposits or card on file with Stripe to increase commitment. Use fallbacks like WhatsApp for international guests, and send internal alerts to hosts in Slack if confirmations are missing. Over time, monitor reminder engagement and adjust timing to match your audience and service windows for consistent no show reduction restaurant outcomes.
02
Smarter table and section utilization
Use event types to represent table sizes and patio or bar sections. Capacity rules ensure bookings match available inventory, even across staggered time slots. If weather changes or a private event blocks a section, update availability and let workflows notify affected guests with alternative times. Hosts gain a real time view of covers, turns, and pacing while guests only see what you want to offer online. The result is a responsive restaurant reservation system that adapts to your floor in minutes.
03
Automated waitlist that fills gaps fast
During peak hours, let guests join a waitlist when slots are full. When cancellations occur, workflows automatically message the next eligible party with a fast confirm link. If they accept, the system books the slot and alerts your team. If they decline or time out, it moves to the next person. This keeps seats filled without manual dialing and improves guest satisfaction with timely, transparent updates. It is waitlist management restaurant teams can trust at scale.
04
Developer friendly, open, and secure
Cal.com is open source, self hostable, and API first. Engineering teams can customize flows, connect POS or CRM via webhooks, and enforce brand and compliance standards. Use role based access for hosts, managers, and marketing. Centralize multi location management under one tenant with separate event types per venue. With SSO, audit logs, and enterprise controls, you get flexibility without sacrificing governance. The platform is proven across industries and built for reliability during rush.
Multi channel reminders and confirmations
Send confirmations and reminders via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. Include confirm, cancel, and modify links to keep your book accurate and reduce host follow up.
Capacity aware event types
Model tables and sections as event types with durations and buffers. Prevent overbooking and align online restaurant booking with your live floor plan.
Waitlist automation with routing
Collect party size and time preferences, then route to a waitlist when full. Auto notify guests when a table opens and hold the slot for a configurable window.
Payments, deposits, and policies
Require deposits with Stripe, capture card details for late cancel fees, and include clear policies in confirmations to support no show reduction restaurant strategies.
Team notifications and workflows
Alert hosts in Slack when VIPs book, when parties are late, or when a table frees up. Trigger internal tasks for pre orders, high chairs, or allergy notes.
Open API, webhooks, and self hosting
Integrate with POS, CRM, or data warehouse using webhooks and the Cal.com API. Deploy in the cloud or self host for full control and compliance.
Start automating reservations today
Connect your calendars, define tables, and turn on reminders and waitlists. Explore the docs and templates, or book a demo to see how Cal.com fits your service model.
