Following our first tip, we hope that you have now successfully reviewed your booking widget to make sure that your festive offerings this season are known. But what’s next on the list to supercharge your sales this Christmas?
With restaurants embracing a massive surge in bookings (who doesn’t love that?) – this holiday phenomenon also poses new challenges. From last-minute cancellations, to crowd management issues, and accommodating holiday-specific menus – it can quickly turn into a headache for you and your restaurant staff. Today’s tip will focus on something many restaurant managers overlook: updating your booking terms and conditions.
Tip 2: It’s time to update your booking T&Cs
The Christmas period often comes with high demand, special pricing, and different booking policies. Unlike any other time, the risk and damage from last minute cancellations, or booking changes is a lot higher than any other time of the year. That’s why, the very best thing you can do to minimise disruptions is by updating cancellation policies, or other requirements and conditions to prevent any last minute surprises.
How can updating T&Cs help?
During the busy festive period, clear terms and conditions provide a safety net, especially when it comes down to:
Minimising no-shows: Implement deposit policies or stricter cancellation windows to reduce the likelihood of empty tables on busy nights to protect your revenue.
Preparing for high demand: With so many customers making advance bookings, make sure to provide clear guidelines on cancellations, reservation time limits, and booking changes will help avoid last-minute chaos.
Clarifying special holiday offers: Whether you’re offering a festive menu, or special deals, setting expectations on pricing and availability upfront will help avoid confusion for both staff and guests.
Update your T&Cs on Tableo
With Tableo, you can easily customise and update your terms and conditions at any time. Whether it’s changing cancellation timelines or introducing deposits, Tableo offers a flexible platform to manage your booking policies.
Why it matters
Clear and well-defined booking terms help avoid misunderstandings with guests and ensure smooth service during peak times. Here’s how:
Manage high demand: Christmas brings an influx of bookings, and customers may cancel or change their reservations last minute. Having clear policies helps mitigate the financial impact of no-shows.
Adjust for seasonal policies: Christmas promotions or holiday menus might come with different pricing or restrictions, and you want to make sure that guests understand these before booking.
Manage customer expectations: If guests know the rules in advance, they’re less likely to cause issues later on. This will guarantee that this holiday season is free of unnecessary disputes!
While you wait for the next tip!
As you stay tuned for the next tip, take a moment to review your current booking policies. Make sure that all the information is aligned with your restaurant’s current offerings and it best reflects your goals for this holiday season. If not, now’s the perfect time to make those tweaks!
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Hanna Yerega is a freelance copywriter and a powerhouse on social media, where she combines her knack for compelling writing with a masterful grasp of digital platforms. Known for her exceptional organisation skills, she handles multiple projects with unparalleled precision. Hanna is deeply passionate about not-for-profit initiatives, using her talents to amplify their messages and drive meaningful engagement.
