--- title: Manually adding a guest to waitlist description: Waitlist refers to a system used to manage guests who are waiting for a table when the restaurant is at capacity. When guests arrive and there are no available tables, they can add their names to the --- [Skip to content](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/migration/knowledge/manually-adding-a-guest-to-waitlist#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Can't find what you're looking for?](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/migration/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) [Sign in](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/_hcms/mem/login?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.eatapp.co%2Fmigration%2Fknowledge%2Fmanually-adding-a-guest-to-waitlist) ![Eat App Logo - Small.png\]](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Eat%20App%20Logo%20-%20Small.png?height=40&name=Eat%20App%20Logo%20-%20Small.png) - [Sample About Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-about) - [Sample Contact Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-contact) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Sample About Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-about) - [Sample Contact Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-contact) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - [Can't find what you're looking for?](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/migration/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Sign in](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/_hcms/mem/login?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.eatapp.co%2Fmigration%2Fknowledge%2Fmanually-adding-a-guest-to-waitlist) - restaurant.eatapp.co restaurant.eatapp.co Eat App Knowledgebase - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. 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When guests arrive and there are no available tables, they can add their names to the waitlist. The restaurant then seats them as tables become free, often notifying them via a text message or by calling their name. To manually add a guest to the waitlist: 1. Login to your [Table Management](https://app.eatapp.co/)account. 2. Click the **"+"** or **"Reserve"** button located at the top left of the screen. 3. If the guest is already in your database, search for their details. If not, click **"+ Add new guest"** to enter their information. This step is optional; you can save the reservation without guest details. 4. Check the box for **"Waitlist."** 5. Complete the following fields: **Date**: The date of the waitlist **Time**: The time the guest was added to the waitlist. **Preference**: Select any preferences, if applicable. **Covers**: Number of guests. **Duration**: Expected duration of the reservation. **Table**: Specific table, if desired. **Status**: This will automatically display as "Waitlist" once the waitlist box is checked. **Wait Est:** The estimated wait time for the guest, based on the start time selected above. Other fields, including **Comments**, **Tags**, **Employee**, and **Notes**, are optional and not mandatory. 6. Then click **"Create Reservation"** to continue. This reservation will appear in the Waitlist tab. When a table is ready, you can notify the guest by clicking the **"Table Ready"** icon at the bottom. This will send an SMS or email to the guest if their details are available. ![Manual Waitlist - Table Ready](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Mitos%20New%20Upload%20for%20KB/Manual%20Waitlist%20-%20Table%20Ready.png?width=688&height=418&name=Manual%20Waitlist%20-%20Table%20Ready.png) Finally, when you're ready to seat the guest, click **"Seat Reservation."** This will move the reservation from the waitlist tab to the reservation tab. ![Manual Waitlist - Seat Reservation](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Manual%20Waitlist%20-%20Seat%20Reservation.png?width=688&height=416&name=Manual%20Waitlist%20-%20Seat%20Reservation.png) Note: It's important to note that when a new waitlist entry is created, an SMS is automatically triggered to your guest with their estimated wait time.   - [Sample About Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-about) - [Sample Contact Page](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/sample-contact) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/blog) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://restaurant.eatapp.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Eat%20App%20Logo-2.png?width=48&height=24&name=Eat%20App%20Logo-2.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://restaurant.eatapp.co) Help Center Copyright © 2026, Grow ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://3390327.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3390327/Manual%20Waitlist.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-09-09T07:11:31.596Z", "duration" : "PT50S", "height" : 648, "name" : "Manual Waitlist", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://3390327.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3390327/Manual%20Waitlist.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1730423988111", "uploadDate" : "2024-11-01T01:19:48.105Z", "width" : 1070 } ```