Waitlist basics and Mark called
Run today's walk-in queue, quote waits, seat parties, and understand that Mark called only records a manual contact.
The Waitlist is today's live walk-in queue: who is waiting, for how long, and who can be seated now. It's for today only. For guests who want a future date that's full, use Standby.
Before you start
- Your location's plan must include waitlist management. If it doesn't, the Waitlist page shows an upgrade notice instead.
- Any team member can use the queue. Owners and managers also see the settings for table offers and online joining.
Add a waiting party
- Open Waitlist and choose Add to waitlist.
- Enter the party size, a name, and a mobile number if you want to call or text them later.
- Optionally quote a wait in whole minutes and add notes (for example "high chair").
- Save. The party appears with its position, minutes waiting and any quoted wait.
Contact details entered here are used for this visit only. They don't sign the guest up to marketing.
To change a party, select their name to open Edit waiting party. The panel also shows the party's history.
Seat or remove a party
- Seat now checks the tables again at that moment and seats the party. If another host is already seating them, you'll see a message and nothing is doubled up.
- Use the remove option when a party leaves. Parties already waiting can always be seated or cancelled, even if online joining is closed.
What "Mark called (no SMS)" does
Mark called only records that a host contacted the guest, for example by phone or by calling their name. It:
- does not send a text or email,
- does not hold a table,
- only appears when the entry has a phone number. Otherwise the button shows No number.
To actually message the guest, use Offer table (holds a table) or Send table-ready SMS (holds nothing), if they're available on your plan and switched on.
Suggestions and estimates
On plans with the advanced waitlist, each party can show a chip such as Suggested, Fits, but table better used for another party, or the reason no table fits right now. These are advice only. Nothing is held until you seat the party or send an offer. Estimates are never stored as a promise to the guest.
Troubleshooting
- No Mark called button: the entry has no phone number. Edit the party and add one.
- "This party was already seated": another host seated them first. Refresh the list.
- Upgrade notice: waitlist management isn't in your plan. An owner can check Settings.