Large party enquiries are your best calls, and the ones you handle worst
Group bookings are worth a multiple of an ordinary cover, and they almost always arrive by phone because the online widget will not take them.
Why do large party enquiries get lost?
Because online booking systems usually cap party size, which pushes exactly the highest value enquiries onto the phone during service, when nobody can pick up.
The result is a predictable pattern: the enquiries worth the most money reach the channel least able to handle them, and the restaurant concludes group business is rare.
What should be captured on a group enquiry?
Party size, date and rough time, occasion, whether they need a set menu or private space, any dietary requirements to pass to the kitchen, and a name and number. Nothing about price at this stage.
Occasion is worth asking because it changes what you can offer and how flexible they are on timing. A work party and a fortieth birthday behave differently.
How fast does a group enquiry need a reply?
Same day. Whoever organises a group is usually contacting several places and will book the first that comes back with something workable.
Also asked
- Should we quote a set menu price on the first call?
- Send the options rather than quoting a bespoke number on the spot. A published set menu price is fine to state; a negotiated figure given quickly is one you may regret when you see the date.
If this is your trade
Restaurants and hospitality →