7 Proven Ways to Raise Table Turnover Rate

It’s no secret that more customers equals higher revenue. However, with fewer customers dining out weekly, restaurants must ensure that they can serve each diner quickly and satisfy them enough that they’ll want to return.

Table turnover rate is a crucial factor to consider if you want to provide efficient service. Tracking and implementing strategies to improve this metric will allow you to maximize your dining space and generate more revenue.

From seating diners and helping them order quickly to processing payments, let’s explore some proven ways to improve your restaurant’s table turnover rate. 

How to calculate table turnover rate

To calculate the table turnover rate, you must divide the number of dining parties seated by the number of tables available during a specific period. 

Table Turnover Rate = Number of Customers Served / Number of Tables

Just determine the number of customers served and the number of tables you have.

Suppose your restaurant has 20 tables, and during the dinner service from 6 PM to 9 PM, you seated 60 customers. The formula would be:

Table Turnover Rate = 60 customers / 20 tables = 3

This means each table in your restaurant was turned over three times during the 3-hour dinner service. 

It's also important to note that table turnover rates can vary depending on several factors, such as meal period, day of the week, restaurant type, and table size.

For instance, Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days for most restaurants, so you'll likely see higher table turnover rates compared to slower weekdays.

Additionally, larger tables, such as 6-tops or 8-tops, tend to have a lower table turnover rate than smaller 2-tops or 4-tops. Understanding these factors lets you maximize the efficiency of your restaurant's seating.

What is the average table turnover rate for most restaurants?

Now that you understand how to calculate the table turnover rate, you must know the average rates for different types of restaurants. With the example above, is three a good number, or should you devise strategies to improve efficiency? 

The answer largely depends on the type of restaurant you operate.

Fast food

Fast casual restaurants typically have the highest table turnover rates since they focus on quick service and efficient operations. On average, these establishments have a turnover rate of 12 to 24 tables within a 12-hour operation.

Casual restaurants

Casual restaurants have lower turnover because they typically offer a more relaxed dining experience, with customers spending more time at their tables. Their average table turnover rate is around 8 to 16 tables per 12-hour period.

Fine dining

Fine-dining restaurants have the lowest table turnover rates. They focus on providing a high-quality, personalized experience for their guests, which often results in longer dining times. Their average table turnover rate is around 4 to 8 tables per 12-hour period. 

Seven proven strategies to increase your table turnover rate

Increasing turnover rates involves careful planning to optimize your restaurant's operations, seating, and customer experience. Implementing online reservations, optimizing your dining area’s layout, and training staff about efficient practices are some strategies you should apply in your restaurant.

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1. Implement and promote online reservations

2. Optimize the layout of your tables

3. Regularly train your staff to operate more efficiently

4. Limit your menu offerings

5. Encourage contactless payments

6. Avoid giving tables to guests who are still waiting for others

7. Prepare ingredients for popular menu items ahead of time

1. Implement and promote online reservations

Managing table bookings through an online reservation system allows you to predict wait times accurately, which can significantly enhance your table turnover rate. When customers book online, you can better manage guest' flow by reducing the empty tables between diners.

Consider Liquid & Larder, an Australian hospitality group that faced challenges with high demand and limited table availability. To address this, they implemented SevenRooms’ online reservation system, which allowed them to notify guests of available tables via text or email. As a result, the company filled 2,583 covers they would have otherwise lost.

To implement an online reservation system in your restaurant, start by researching and comparing different platforms that cater to your restaurant's needs. Look for systems that integrate seamlessly with your existing POS and table management software for a cohesive guest experience.

Once you have the system set up, promote it to your customers. Put links to your online booking page on your website, social media, and emails. To encourage more people to use the online system, you can even offer exclusive benefits, like priority seating or free drinks, to customers who book online.

2. Optimize the layout of your tables

The right layout enhances the flow of service and maximizes seating capacity. It also improves the dining experience for your guests by reducing wait times by up to 30%.

First, map out your current layout and spot bottlenecks hindering traffic flow. 

For example, you may notice that the path around tables needs to be narrower. To create wider aisles, you could move tables further apart, change the shape of the dining room, or even remove some tables.

Get input from your staff, as they will know firsthand where the problem areas are. Be willing to experiment and make changes until you find the best layout. With the right setup, you can increase table turns and boost staff productivity by 10% to 15%.

3. Regularly train your staff to operate more efficiently

Conduct regular training sessions to ensure all staff members are up-to-date on best practices and the key restaurant and food service skills they should have. Well-trained staff can provide faster service, clear tables quickly, and create a more pleasant dining experience for your guests.

“When you have engaged employees working at the front of your restaurant, your customers notice that, and they come back time and time again,” Brittany Grande, General Manager at The Lancaster Smokehouse, said.

One important table turnover skill that your staff should have is getting guests moving without making your customers feel rushed or uncomfortable. The key is for your servers to offer the check early proactively. This way, they can process the payment quickly and prepare the table for the next guests.

The observe and assist method is a practical approach to training restaurant employees on this skill. Have new staff members shadow your best employee when sending guests off to see how it can be done tactfully.

Note that 55% of employees prefer shorter training periods, between one and two weeks since they want to start working immediately. Providing concise yet comprehensive sessions for your staff is a win-win situation for all.

4. Limit your menu offerings

Providing fewer food options helps customers decide what to order more quickly, reducing their time at the table. 64% of consumers feel overwhelmed by having too many choices. 

To do so, check which dishes are rarely ordered or challenging to prepare. For example, if you run a burger restaurant, you can offer the classic cheeseburger, veggie burger, and specialty burger while removing less popular items like fish sandwiches or gourmet salads. 

This way, customers can choose what they want to eat faster, and your staff, especially those in the kitchen, can speed up service.

5. Encourage contactless payments

Encouraging contactless payments is a simple yet effective strategy to boost your table turnover rate. On average, they’re completed around 13 to 15 seconds, compared to 30-40 seconds for chip-and-PIN transactions, which can help you cleat tables faster during peak hours.

Plus, it’s not just about efficiency. 8 in 10 consumers use and prefer contactless payments for safety and convenience.

Mobile POS systems are great for enabling contactless payments. They allow servers to process payments right at the table, reducing guests' time waiting to pay their bills.

HOUSEpitality Restaurant Group, in Richmond, VA, improved the hospitality experience for both guests and staff by implementing Toast’s Mobile Order & Pay system.

“Speed of service is better for everyone. Not having to wait to do the administrative work of cashing out, that’s better for everyone,” Kevin Healy, HOUSEpitality Restaurant Group owner, said.

The restaurant also saw a 7% to 10% increase in its bottom line. Additionally, FOH servers enjoyed a pay raise of around 25% to 30% because the company can cover the floor with six servers instead of 16, allowing staff to earn more every shift.

To promote contactless payments, ensure your guests know that this payment method is available. Display signs at the entrance and on tables, and include information on your menus.

6. Avoid giving tables to guests who are still waiting for others

When guests are seated while waiting for the rest of their party, they occupy tables for extended periods without ordering. Staff may also become busy serving drinks or bread to incomplete parties, diverting attention from other guests ready to order and dine.

Instead, ask guests to wait in a designated area until their entire party has arrived. This way, they can stay comfortably, and you can maximize the use of your tables for diners ready to order.

Clear communication is critical to implementing this strategy without upsetting your guests. Inform guests about the policy when they make a reservation or arrive at the host stand. Use polite and clear language to explain that complete parties must be seated to ensure prompt service for everyone.

Create a comfortable waiting area where guests can relax until their party arrives. This can include a seating area with refreshments or a lounge where they can order drinks.

7. Prepare ingredients for popular menu items ahead of time

Prepare for busy service periods by organizing and pre-portioning ingredients for popular dishes. For instance, your staff can cut vegetables or measure sauces ahead to lessen the time you have to do these tasks when many customers come in and out of your restaurant. 

They can also cook large batches of items that can be easily reheated and served quickly, especially for side dishes, soups, and desserts. 

Maximizing your profits with faster table turnovers

Improving your restaurant’s table turnover rate lets you get the most revenue from each table while ensuring fast and efficient service for guests. By implementing online reservations, experimenting with seating arrangements, and streamlining your menu, you can increase the number of diners you serve to boost profitability. 

Maximize your restaurant’s potential with team management software that makes scheduling and communication easier. 7shifts is designed to help you manage your team more effectively and deliver an exceptional dining experience, thus helping boost your table turnover rate and increase profitability.

Start making those adjustments today and watch your restaurant thrive as you serve more happy customers!

Vahag Aydinyan

Hello! I am Vahag, Content Marketing Manager at 7shifts. I am writing about content marketing, marketing trends, tips on restaurant marketing and more.