How Eat App's VP of Product Helps Restaurants Get More Bookings

As the VP of Product at Eat App, I’m on a mission to help restaurants not only attract more first-time visitors but also keep them coming back for repeat visits. From maximizing online bookings across multiple platforms to creating tailored experiences that keep guests engaged, here’s how I help restaurants increase their bookings and build a loyal customer base.

Top three takeaways

How do I help restaurants get more first-time visitors?

I activate online bookings on Google, Instagram, Facebook, Tripadvisor, and local platforms like Zomato and Swiggy.

I leverage Eat App’s booking partner network to maximize exposure across multiple discovery platforms.

How do I get guests to return to restaurants and increase repeat visits?

I use automation to tag and track guest visits, segmenting them into first-time, returning, and VIP categories.

I set up tools to engage past guests with personalized marketing via email and WhatsApp.

I enable a loyalty program to reward repeat diners with points, vouchers, and exclusive offers.

How can I ensure restaurants manage all reservations in one place?

I centralize bookings from all platforms into a single dashboard to avoid double bookings and optimize table management.

I sync guest data with POS systems to track spending and personalize services.

I use QR code integrations to enrich your CRM with real-time guest insights.

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How I help you get more first-time visitors

Activate online booking on every key platform

I ensure your restaurant is listed and bookable on popular platforms like Google (Reserve with Google), Instagram, Facebook, TripAdvisor, Zomato, and Swiggy. By enabling seamless booking on these channels, restaurants can drive new business, especially with platforms like Google, where 72% of diners who book are first-time visitors. Social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, plays a huge role too, as 37% of diners use them to discover restaurants.

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Utilize a wide booking partner network

By integrating with multiple reservation platforms, I ensure your restaurant’s availability is visible across several booking sources without additional contracts or equipment. With Eat App, you can reach guests via Google, Facebook, TripAdvisor, Zomato, and 35+ other partners, all in one go.

By integrating your online channels, you make it effortless for potential guests to book a table.

Pro tip

Tripadvisor and apps like Zomato and Swiggy influence a large number of dining decisions. Listing your restaurant and enabling direct booking on these sites taps into a new segment of first-time diners who rely on these platforms for recommendations.

Track and tag first-time guests in your CRM

Once new guests make a reservation, they’re automatically tagged in your CRM. This allows staff to recognize first-time visitors and customize their experience. It also helps you gather data on which platforms are driving the most first-time visitors, enabling you to focus marketing efforts on the most effective channels.

Promote special events and experiences

Hosting events like wine tastings, holiday brunches, or live music nights is a great way to attract new guests. Using Eat App’s event management suite, I help you list and promote events while accepting prepayments, ensuring smooth booking and minimizing no-shows.

Getting more repeat visitors

Automate guest tagging and personalized workflows

Automation is key to tracking guest behavior and categorizing them based on their frequency of visits and spending patterns. I set up automated systems to tag guests as “VIPs,” “At Risk,” or “Lapsed” and send personalized messages and offers. This boosts the chances of repeat visits and builds strong guest loyalty.

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Stay in touch with email and WhatsApp marketing

I help restaurants stay connected with guests using email and WhatsApp. Email remains effective for updates and promotions, but WhatsApp is a game changer. With a 98% open rate, WhatsApp allows restaurants to send messages directly to guests in a more conversational tone. 

One of our partner restaurants started using WhatsApp to confirm VIP reservations and offer personalized services, which has led to a surge in regular customers.

Personal touches with direct outreach

Reaching out directly to VIPs or guests who haven’t visited in a while adds a personal touch. I recommend adding this as part of your team’s standard operating procedure, as these personalized interactions help build stronger relationships and increase return visits.

Reward loyalty with a program

I also set up loyalty programs that reward repeat visitors with points, vouchers, and exclusive offers. Eat App’s loyalty engine integrates seamlessly into the system, making it easy to track and reward guests. Research shows that loyalty program members visit 20% more frequently and spend 20% more per visit than non-members, making it a great tool for increasing customer retention.

Did you know?

47% of consumers participate in at least one restaurant loyalty program​.

Build a rich guest profile with QR codes and POS integration

QR codes and POS integration for data-enriched profiles

I recommend using QR codes at the door and on tables to capture guest information easily. When paired with POS systems, this data is linked to spending history, allowing restaurants to deliver personalized experiences. With Eat App, QR codes aren’t just for convenience - they help create valuable guest insights that make marketing and customer service more targeted and effective.

Did you know?

Over 70% of restaurants have integrated QR codes in some form - and it’s not just for convenience; it’s for data. In fact, about 80% of restaurants now use analytics from QR code interactions to understand customer behavior​. 

 

Source: qrcode.co.uk

Host and market engaging events for returning guests

Engaging guests through exclusive events, such as wine-pairing dinners or chef’s table experiences, creates a strong emotional connection. I use Eat App’s event creation tool to promote such events, ensuring guests feel special and are more likely to return. Prepaid reservations also help ensure attendance and streamline the process.

All your reservations in one place

Centralize your bookings to reduce operational stress

Eat App allows you to consolidate all your reservations from various platforms into one dashboard. This minimizes the risk of overbookings or double-booking, streamlines operations, and improves your guest experience by offering real-time availability updates.

Conclusion

By activating online visibility, automating guest tracking, and offering personalized marketing and loyalty rewards, I help restaurants not only drive new bookings but also foster long-term customer loyalty. With Eat App’s powerful suite of tools, I ensure restaurants can manage reservations, track guest behavior, and engage with diners effectively, turning first-time visitors into repeat customers.

Using Eat App’s CRM and marketing tools, restaurants can improve return rates, increase revenue, and create memorable dining experiences that keep guests coming back (source: restaurantden.com).