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As a restaurant operator, you know that managing reservations is more than just about filling seats. It’s about creating memorable guest experiences while maintaining smooth operations. But with so many Restaurant Management Systems (RMS) on the market, finding the right fit for your restaurant’s unique needs can feel like navigating a maze. Whether your goal is to increase visibility, streamline operations, or enhance the guest experience, choosing the best RMS can make or break your service flow.
In this blog, we’ll break down four of the most popular RMS options—OpenTable, Tock, SevenRooms, and Resy—highlighting their pros, cons, and ideal use cases. We’ll also explain how Tablz works alongside these systems to optimize your seating, guest experience, and revenue. And to top it off, you’ll hear directly from operators who’ve experienced the transformative impact of Tablz firsthand.
OpenTable is often regarded as the RMS heavyweight, boasting a massive user base and excellent marketing tools. If your restaurant relies on high visibility and consistent foot traffic, OpenTable can help fill seats with ease. Its extensive network can give your restaurant access to more diners through its discovery features and marketing capabilities.
If you’re looking to boost your visibility and fill more seats, OpenTable is your go-to RMS. It’s built to get diners in the door—thanks to its massive network of users, you’re more likely to fill those midweek tables or get bookings during slower hours. OpenTable does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing your restaurant, so you can focus on service. However, with visibility comes a higher cost, so it’s important to weigh whether the boost in reservations covers the premium price tag.
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Why OpenTable Works: OpenTable helps large and well-known restaurants thrive by driving more traffic through extensive marketing efforts and seamless reservation management. However, the system’s cost can be a limiting factor for smaller operators or those with lower reservation volumes.
Actionable Tip: Leverage OpenTable’s promotional features to boost midweek reservations by creating targeted campaigns or special offers. Utilize the platform's extensive diner network to showcase unique dining experiences or seasonal menus that encourage guests to book during slower periods.
Tock caters to restaurants that offer unique, experience-driven dining. Whether it's chef’s tasting menus, wine pairing events, or specialty pop-ups, Tock’s system allows you to seamlessly manage these exclusive offerings while ensuring upfront revenue. One of Tock’s standout features is its ability to handle not only regular reservations but also ticketed events, pre-paid dining experiences, and flexible seating configurations.
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Why It Works: By allowing pre-paid reservations, Tock helps operators secure revenue in advance, minimizing no-shows and protecting against last-minute cancellations. Its event management tools also enable restaurants to create tailored dining experiences like special menus, seasonal offerings, or chef collaborations, drawing in guests looking for something out of the ordinary. Tock also allows operators to easily differentiate between standard reservations and ticketed events, giving them greater control over seating and capacity management.
Actionable Tip: Use Tock’s event management feature to create exclusive, pre-paid experiences that draw in a different type of diner—whether it’s a monthly wine tasting or an anniversary chef’s menu. This not only locks in revenue early but builds anticipation and drives word-of-mouth.
SevenRooms is more than just a reservation platform—it’s an all-in-one system that gives you deep insights into guest preferences and behavior. Ideal for restaurants focused on guest loyalty and personalized service, SevenRooms builds detailed profiles to help operators offer a customized dining experience. From managing reservations to email marketing, it’s a holistic tool for boosting guest retention.
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Why It Works: SevenRooms stands out for its ability to turn every guest interaction into valuable data. By tracking preferences, habits, and dining history, it empowers restaurants to offer personalized service that boosts guest loyalty. Whether it’s recognizing a regular guest’s favorite dish or sending a tailored offer, SevenRooms helps build stronger, long-term relationships with diners.
Actionable Tip: Use SevenRooms’ guest profiles to send personalized email campaigns that acknowledge guest preferences, celebrate milestones like birthdays or anniversaries, and encourage repeat visits. For example, offer returning guests their favorite table or exclusive perks based on past preferences.
Resy is built for smaller, independent, or boutique restaurants. It offers simple, streamlined reservation management and focuses on building a direct relationship between the restaurant and the diner. Resy prioritizes functionality over flashy features, which makes it a popular choice for operators who want a clean, intuitive system that emphasizes quality over quantity.
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Why Resy Works: Resy is a strong choice for independent restaurants that prefer to focus on their local community. It gives operators the tools to manage their reservations effectively without overwhelming them with unnecessary features.
Actionable Tip: Build loyalty through Resy by encouraging direct bookings with personalized messaging. Offer incentives such as priority seating or loyalty discounts for guests who consistently book through Resy instead of third-party apps. This strengthens the relationship between your restaurant and its local diners.
While these RMS systems provide the backbone for managing reservations, Tablz takes your seating strategy to the next level by monetizing premium seating and improving the guest experience. Whether you’re using OpenTable, Tock, SevenRooms, or Resy, Tablz fits right in and amplifies the functionality of your existing system.
Why Tablz?
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Every restaurant is looking for ways to do more with less—whether that’s maximizing seating, improving guest experience, or squeezing more revenue out of your dining room. That’s where Tablz comes in. Think of Tablz as your secret weapon to make those prime tables do more than just sit pretty.
Before partnering with Tablz, Michael Weidler, the Director of Operations at Cafe La Trova, spent hours fielding calls from guests hoping to secure a table near the stage. It was a weekly struggle—guests would leave disappointed when they couldn't guarantee the seating they desired. After integrating Tablz, those calls turned into reservations, with guests happily paying a premium for a guaranteed spot near the action. It wasn’t just about filling tables anymore; it was about crafting memorable evenings that kept people coming back.
“We were taking dozens of calls per week from guests asking to pay a premium in order to select and guarantee a particular section of the restaurant.
Tablz has been a key partner in helping execute this project, and we are so happy we listened to our guests and made the change.”
Michael Weidler - Director of Operations - Cafe La Trova
You’ve already got your RMS handling reservations, but Tablz works alongside it, turning seating into a revenue stream. With Tablz, you can offer guests the chance to book specific, high-demand tables—think window seats, cozy booths, or patio views—at a premium. Not only does this give your guests a more personalized experience, but it also helps you optimize your seating strategy and boost profits.
Whether you're choosing OpenTable, Tock, SevenRooms, or Resy, selecting the right RMS is crucial to optimizing guest experience and operational efficiency. But with Tablz, you can take your strategy to the next level—turning seating into a revenue generator and offering guests an unforgettable, personalized experience.
Ready to see how Tablz can fit into your current RMS and elevate your restaurant’s operations? Let’s talk.
