The first & only last-minute texting & booking system for Restaurants in the UK

It’s amazing how many times people say to us what a simple idea this is and why hasn’t someone done it before? The answer is simply I have no idea.

The concept is simple:

-    Text potential diners that have opted in to receive texts from your restaurant with a last-minute offer and complete the booking using text messaging for those diners that choose to take up the offer

The execution is a bit more complicated but with a state of the art database & texting platform and years of experience in structuring text messages, that evoke a high level of response, we are able to provide our clients with bookings when they are most needed. Be it on a quieter trading day or the early bird slot (before 7:30pm) or late night slot (9:30pm slot).

This is where the journey starts with our clients – this system quickly evolves into a direct communication tool with your loyal & regular customers.

Once our clients' customers are familiar with our system our text messages morph into messages that evoke engagement from customers. This assists us in building a profile for each customer with such information as who has children, who works late, who is on holiday and where, who plays badminton and what night they do so, and so on and on…..

The next stage is to engage with customers and receive feedback on what it is our clients do well & what they could do better? Further reinforcing the relationship between restaurant and regular diner until eventually we reach a point in the journey where the customer becomes the restaurants greatest evangelist (forwarding our texts to friends & texts with video clips of our client’s restaurant that become viral within this group of friends)

So it is unsurprising that our system has become a priority tool for our restaurant clients to engage directly with their customers.

Other Services provided by Realtimeseating:

Social Media Management System: Alongside our last-minute texting & booking system realtimeseating provides a Social Media management system where we help our clients develop, implement and manage a social networking strategy so as to gain the maximum benefit from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, foursquare & LinkedIn. .

If you would like to discuss how we can help please call Nelson directly on 07544 573872 or visit www.realtimeseating.com

22/01/2011 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Bar191

Bar191 is a Mediterranean style wine bar in the heart of trendy Raynes Park, SW20 serving freshly made tapas seven days per week. . The atmosphere is always lively with a contemporary art deco feel. If you are looking for a relaxing and contemporary place to kick back and enjoy a lovely bottle of wine or two, then Bar191 is for you.

The owners have gone to great lengths to ensure you get an authentic Mediterranean experience with an interior deco of exposed brick-work, dark classic art deco design and soft lighting. Besides the great tapas you have a wide and varied wine list offering more than 25 wines by the glass.

If you would like to enjoy this Mediterranean oasis and receive up to 50% off when they have availability then simple sign up on the form below

All the texts you receive from us will be FREE and you will only get text offers from Bar191 when they have availability.

24/12/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Should Restaurants bother with twitter

This question came about while I was talking to one of our clients last week. We were meeting to discuss the realtimeseating late availability texting service we provide to them and during the course of the conversation I happened to mention twitter, at which point my client said he could not be bothered with it?

 

When I asked him why he thought this, he simply said that twitter was just a fad and of no value to any business. I then tried to explain to him that twitter is about engaging and building up relationships with your customers and potential customers, other restaurants and restaurateurs, foodies, local people and local area “advocates”, raising your profile and building a network of people interested in what you do and monitoring what is being said about your restaurant. (a perfect example below)

“@realtimeseating: White Brasserie (Kings Arms) in #Teddington . Last night good food and ambience but deplorable service.

His argument was that twitter was a waste of time and time cost money.

Having worked with this particular client for two months and knowing that to him the proof is in the pudding, I simply said that I was going to tweet that afternoon asking local people and local area “advocates” what their favourite restaurant was in the area (in this case Teddington) and would let him know what the result was.

He could not believe when I called him within 24 hours with the following results:

13 replies –all local people

12 different restaurants (his restaurant was named twice)

A total of 3,067 followers between the people that replied (a potential 3,000 fold exposure of his restaurant and 11 other restaurants mentioned)

 

So his setting up his twitter account as I write this …..

 

[Just this morning we received a reply suggesting a restaurant and the person has 100 followers so the exposure for that restaurant has just increased potentially 100 fold]

 

For those that are interested, below is the list tweeted to us of people's (peeps) local favourite restaurant in Teddington:

 

1.    Retro

2.    Scarpetta

3.    Prem

4.    Simply Thai

5.    Red Peppers

6.    Bloated Mallard

7.    The Wharf

8.    Tide End Cottage Pub

9.    Al Borgo

10.    White Brasserie

11.    Shambles

12.    Diners Delight

 

14/12/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Live Jazz @ The Tryst

The Tryst Restaurant & Bar in Thames Ditton is once again holding their popular Dine & Jazz evening and would like to invite you to join them on Thursday 25 November 2010.

 The jazz musicians performing on the evening will be Adam Hope & Mariska Barnett and we will be serving a three course meal for £25 per person including tea or coffee.

 If you register on the form below before the 20th November you will receive a sms confirmation code that will entitle you to a complimentary bottle of House Red or White Wine per couple to accompany your meal.

We request that you join us at 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start.  This is always a well attended evening and places are limited so sign up now.

All text you receive from us are free

11/11/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

What we do FAQs

FAQs

Q. What is the benefit of your system in cash terms?

One of our clients, a small 40 cover restaurant, after paying us our booking fee has taken just under £2,700 in takings over and above their usual takings over the last 3 months using our system

Q. Do you work with all types of restaurants?

Yes we do – however, we don’t work with all the restaurants in a geographical area. We aim to work with only a handful of restaurants in an area rather than every single restaurant that wants our system.

Q. What national chains use you?

None and we strongly believe in Local support for independent restaurants

Q. I already use other online booking services I don’t want another one?

We are not an online booking system that offers online discounts and booking service. We are a texting service that sends invitations to people who have SPECIFICALLY said they want to receive text offers/rewards when their favourite restaurant has availability - note it is their favourite restaurant and not every restaurant on our system

Q. How many people ask to stop receiving your texts?

A small number and the reason being that people have specifically opted in to receive texts from their favourite restaurant and will probably only receive one text a month – 2 at the most. [Some have not received a text for over a month]. A further reason that our “opt out” is extremely low is because people tell us how often they want to receive texts simply by engaging with us through our text messages.

Q. Do you just provide the booking service?

No, for a majority of our clients we also provide a marketing service – e.g. if they have a special event coming up or re-launching a website etc we will do a text out to their database [Again this is managed so not to spam people]

Q. The texting database you build up with the restaurant, who does it belong to?

The data is the restaurant’s customers so it belongs to the restaurant

Q. How big is your current Database? Q. How many people have signed up to your database?

A meaningless number as the people who will receive offers/rewards from your restaurant need to have “opted in” to receive texts from YOU. If they haven’t they won’t receive a text from you. {By the way the number is 10 881 but it is insignificant because none have signed up to receive texts from YOU}

Q. What are the costs? Q. How long are your agreements?

No costs at all until we physically have someone sitting in a seat in your restaurant – then it will cost you £2 per cover There are no agreements or set up fees, so if you choose to stop using us, you just do.

Q. I don’t associate my restaurant with other restaurant in the UK or services and I don’t what to appear on your website, is this possible?

Yes it is – we are a white label service and a high percentage of our clients are not listed on our website (they all have their reasons). They all call their text clubs by various different names.

Q. What really makes you different?

We change people’s minds – we target a person who has no plan to eat out that evening and send them a text and by receiving our timely text with a special reward from their favourite restaurant triggers a change of mind.

02/11/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

What we do.....

What we do……is provide a last minute or late availability texting service for restaurants

We are continually asked by prospective clients what exactly it is we do and how they can benefit from what we do. To us it is very simple…we are different …but as we are perceived as providing the same service as others in this market it takes a bit of understanding to appreciate why we are different.

We have not arrived on the scene to replace what is currently out there or currently been used by restaurants. Actually, we encourage clients to continue using these services. We don't profess to being able to fill restaurants …we don’t but what we do is provide a proactive service. “Proactive” is what makes us different. Let me explain:

Currently as a diner if I have made the decision to eat out I may then base my decision of where I am going on what is on offers through all the services that are out there (of which there are many and many more come onboard each month). This is a passive service because these services only come in to play once I, the diner have made the decision to go out. On the other hand, our service targets people last minute, most of them have no plans or thought of going out and we change their minds – proactive service.

So what do we do…… Our main aim is to get bookings for our clients when our clients need bookings. This tends to be either days when they are quieter than usual or hours before or after peak times. For most of our clients we are actually getting them bookings before 7:30pm or in some cases after 9:30pm.

When we started this business the majority of restaurateurs we approached thought that our service was mainly aimed at those restaurants that needed help in getting covers in on days when they had very few bookings. However, those same restaurateurs now understand the power of the service to fill in void times or slow times before the traditional peak period (7:30pm -9:30pm) or to fill tables previously booked but cancelled last minute or bookings that do not show.

Our clients now benefit from having an effective yield management tool that assist resaaurants to operate at optimal capacity. What this means is simply that at any time the restaurant has a certain capacity and hence a cost – number of kitchen staff, front of house staff and rent, utilities etc. and for that restaurant to make a profit they need to be running close to full capacity based on the staffing levels (or optimal capacity as we call it @realtimeseating). There are however times in a trading week when that is not the case (slow days, early or late times or empty tables at peak times). If as a restaurant you can fill just one more table than you currently fill then you are contributing to the profitability of that restaurant. The costs are fixed- staff is present, rent and rates are always present, so one cover more than the norm contributes to reaching optimal capacity which leads to more profit.

Now I could end here and say that the benefit to our clients is ….getting restaurants more bookings when the restaurant wants them (Note: the restaurant is in control not the diners)…. but that is not all.

As a texting service a high percentage of the people (50-60%) we text will engage with us (a much higher rate then any other medium). Our text messages are structured as invitations and invites people to engage with us so people will tell us why they can’t make it, or tell us what would make them change their plans. Our booking confirmation texts encourages feedback of their dining experience and to tell us what was good but more importantly what could have been better about their dining experience. However, the high rate of engagement is only possible because we have operators reading and replying to every text (we are not an automated texting service).

To conclude two exceptional reasons to talk to us

1.    Increase your number of covers when you want to

2.    Deeper insight and knowledge of your customers and build more loyal relationshipwith them.

So contact us @realtimeseating.com or email info@realtimeseating.com or Text us on 0778 620 2441 and we can answer any questions you may have

27/10/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

It's Competition time

Win a dinner for 2 at the idyllic Thai on the River on the banks of the River Thames in Battersea

To enter the competition to win a 3 course meal plus a bottle of house wine simply fill in the form below.

On the 30 November we will draw one lucky winner from the people who have registered during the month of November and will inform the winner via text.

By completing this form you are opting in to receive future offers from Thai on the River via FREE text messages.

If at any point you want to stop receiving these last minute text offers simply reply STOP to the text.

All the Texts you receive from Thai on the River are free.

06/10/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Lastminoffers

To access the last minute offers as tweeted on @lastminoffers is simple. Just follow these 3 simple steps:

Step 1 - Register your details in the form below

Step 2 - You will receive a text message asking for the number of people & for what time you would like to book a table

Step 3 - You will recieve a text message with your confirmation code

That is it ....all you now need to do is go and enjoy your meal

Please note: All texts you receive from us are free

If you would like to find out more about realtimeseating then visit us @ www.realtimeseating.com

04/10/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Dark Mornings & Dark Afternoons means....

...and we all know what that means? The clocks have gone back, the day gets shorter and the cold bitter winter moves in (how much snow are we getting this year?).

What better way is there to weather the “storm” but with a glass of something nice and a good meal at your favourite restaurant. Seated at a nice table in familiar surroundings is an excellent way to unwind and watch the winter go by.

Well if you're still feeling the pinch of the recession but still want to enjoy a meal and a drink at your local restaurant then why not head over to realtimeseating.com and sign up to receive free text offers of up to 50% off at restaurants near you.

Get out there and enjoy the winter ... why not!!! …spring will be here before you know it!

Click here to find out more about how you and your party can eat out for up to 50% off at restaurants near you.

28/09/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Moidul's Rawalpindi -Twickenham

Moidul's Rawalpindi re-launched itself on the 23rd September under the ownership of Moidul Hussain a trained chef in fine Indian cuisine come restaurateur. Moidul is a successful restaurateur with a number of restaurants under his ownership including Moidul’s Hampton Wick Tandoori, Twickenham Tandoori & Crystal Palace Tandoori.

Moidul’s established restaurants and in particular the Twickenham Tandoori are extremely popular so there is no question as to the standard and excellence we can now expect from Moidul's Rawalpindi. So if you live or work in Twickenham and are looking for fine Indian cuisine (with surroundings & atmosphere to match) then you have to visit Moidul's Rawalpindi …… and if you want to receive FREE text offers of up to 50% when they have availability then simply sign up below

20/09/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

The opportunity of a lifetime

Well maybe I am exaggerating for effect but for me Real Time Seating is an opportunity of a lifetime. How many people can say they do what they love, they work with great people and they eat out most of the time in some of the best local restaurants in London.

...and on the note of working with great people I would like to introduce you all and give a big welcome to Joanna Biddolph our first fabulous franchisee. Jo will be looking after the areas of Acton, Brentford, Brook Green, Chiswick, Ealing, Fulham, Hammersmith, Olympia, Sheperds Bush & West Kensington.

So if you live, work and love eating out in these areas, just sign up @realtimeseating.com and soon you will be receiving  our texts with up to 50% discount to some fantastic local restaurants. (..and don`t  forget to tell us what your favourite eating spots are in London).

If  like Jo you would be interested in finding out about our franchise opportunity then please go to realtimeseating.com, fill in your contact details and we will shortly be in touch with you.

22/07/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Restaurant discount texts means savings

We all have one or two or even more favourite local restaurant and we tend to frequent them when we can. In today’s economic climate we tend to go when we can afford to, which is just the way it is. We have enjoyed the great years of little thought to what we spend as it was quite easy to just “charge it to my card”. But there is hope….what if you could enjoy your favourite restaurant as often as you did or in some cases more than before? No? Oh YES you can!

I can tell you it is definitely a possibility because with realtimeseating you can get up to 50% discount at your favourite restaurant. Now you don’t have to be a mathematician to work out that if you are getting 50% off then you can go twice and still spend about the same money that you would have……so to me it makes perfect sense – I can continue to enjoy the favourite things in life (like a great meal at my local restaurant) and be financial frugal – win win in any language.

The process is simple – just 3 steps –

Step 1 – go to www.realtimeseating.com

Step 2 – sign up and choose your favourite local restaurant (if it is not on the list then tell us)

Step 3 – wait to receive your restaurant discount texts when your local restaurant has availability

That is it …… so enjoy your winter…actually enjoy your year … and we will see you at your local!

13/07/2010 permalink | 1 Comments »

---

Jazz at Hampton Court

For those who enjoy Jazz as much as I do, here is something worth attending. I went last year and it was fabulous. Great surroundings (Hampton Court Palace is beautiful, even more so in the summer with flowers in full bloom), great atmosphere at the shows but above all great jazz – It’s the Hampton Court Beer and Jazz festival from the 27th – 30th August.

Acts include The James Taylor Quartet, Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans, Tony Hadley, New Heavies, Incognito & the Deep Mo. Visit www.hamptoncourtbeerandjazz.com for more details.

….and while you are waiting for this great event why not visit The Naked Turtle the Home of the famous Jazz singing waitresses in East Sheen, SW14, www.naked-turtle.com ……and if you want to enjoy this great restaurant and get up to 50% discount on your food bill then sign up @ realtimeseating the Home of the restaurant discount texts.

12/07/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

Urgent: Chocolate lovers read this!

If you are a chocoholic like I am you may have missed this, I know I certainly did. According to some research that has just been completed by …wait for it…. a Dr Natalie Rose @ the University of California, San Diego, people who regularly eat chocolate are more depressive!

No, no, no, please help, I feel depressed just reading this. According to the health charity Mind more research is required to determine exactly what the relationship is between chocolate and our mood. Please will you just leave this alone…no more research please?

If the boffins continue to research this and the research holds up, I do have an antidote for depression. I will eat out more often at my favourite local restaurant which now is possible because they have text offers of up to 50% off the food bill . So like me have a backup plan in place just go to realtimeseating.com and sign up –in case the Americans are right!

04/05/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---

£2000 to find Mr or Miss Right

Experts reckon that we spend around £2,000 and an average of 24 dates to meet Mr or Miss Right .

For the girls most of  this spend is towards the purchase of nicknacks associated with the dating game, but for the boys a staggering 80% of that £2,000 cost it attributed to wining and dining the prospective other half.

Right now, I can say that I am glad I am over and done with the dating game, but had I been on the market I would be a savvy investor and would minimise my costs by saving up to 50% on local restaurants deals (via texts) and impress the hell out of my dates with my spontaneity, choice of excellent local restaurant and good tipper (hell I can afford to be flash with the tip... I have eaten for half price!)

So what are you waiting for??? Register today at realtimeseating.com  and receive offers of up to 50% from your local restaurants .....oh and yes happy hunting my friend!

29/04/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

---