Feature Request: Restaurant Reservations

[Stanley]

Using Square for Restaurants and wondering if square appointments would work for making restaurant reservations?

[Moderator has updated the title of this thread from it's original: Restaurant Reservations]

[#2]

Hi there, @SqScullery738 - still no update for you on this one just yet. As soon as we have a bit more to share, we will reach back out here and let everyone know.

Cheers!

[#3]

Table reservations is available as an add on subscription service to Square Restaurants and Square Retail. For more information please join our Beta Community. 

[#4]

Hello

Table reservations are more crucial than ever when managing your restaurant. Through our newest feature in Square Appointments, you will be able offer bookable table reservations to your customers. This will assist you in providing safe social distancing for customers who choose to visit your location in person. We’re looking for your help in testing out this feature. At the moment, the product is in early testing, which is why your input will be invaluable.

If you are interested in testing out this feature, please comment in the thread below and I’ll be sure to add you to this beta. Also, if you haven't done so already, please be sure to join the beta seller community channel to stay up to date on this beta!

[SimonH]

Any update from Square over this? There is no integrated solution for small indie restaurants, it is so frustrating!

Simon

[TheRealChipA]

HI there @SimonH (and everyone else in this thread)

I just looked at Square Releases, the new twice-yearly guide to what's new with Square.  In their section for Reservations, they do not mention anything about an integrated Square reservation system.  They only  mention the four third-party apps that provide this service and integrate with Square.  Based on the fact that there was, a few years ago, a beta that seems to have been discontinued without rolling out anything, my strong suspicion is that Square has decided that they do not want to offer their own solution, and rather rely on the already robust offerings that third-parties offer.

Just in case I've missed a memo here, I'll tag the Square moderators and they can correct me if necessary.  But all of my research points to my conclusions here.  Besides, even if Square does decide to resurrect testing on an in-house solution, the final product won't come any time soon.

@Kassi_@RSosebee1@_Violet@MayaP@Summer2024@Summer2024@Ellie_@Katie_SQ@Laurie_@Sammie_C

[SimonH]

Completely understand this, but given the general size of Squares customers the recommended integrations are out of budget for most users it seems. They should actively pursue integrating with a smaller more cost-effective platform, or just spend a little time modifying code they already have for appointments.

It's a no brainer for me given the extra £ they could generate with it as an add-on.

7R, Opentable and Resy are all $300+ per month. 

[TheRealChipA]

I agree in principle.  I want to correct one factual error in a statement you made, though.  Square does not choose to integrate with any third-party developers.  Rather, THEY choose to integrate with Square, then create an app that uses Square's APIs to integrate with our Square accounts.  So, if a Square sellers wanted to use another platform, it would be more expedient for them to contact that platform and try to make that happen.  That is totally outside Square's wheelhouse, IMO.  

I went to the Square App Marketplace and looked for other third-party reservation software that integrates with Square.  I found Now Book It and WOWAPPS, Obviously I can't speak to their functionality, but I'm betting they are not as feature-rich as the ones that Square showcases.  But, they probably aren't as expensive, either.  For the "most users" you speak of, it might be more than enough.  

And, if not, I'd strongly recommend contacting reservation systems that look like they are functional enough for a good price and seeing what they will do.  That will certainly be quicker than waiting to see if Square wants to tackle this.  With their latest corporate restructuring and cost cutting, which was very well publicized earlier this year, I wouldn't bet the farm on that happening.  Like any of us, they have to pick and choose their battles, and this doesn't seem to be one that is either cost effective of lucrative enough.  I can say that I'm noticing that certain parts of the current ecosystem don't seem to be getting much love lately, and it wouldn't surprise me to find that Square is hunkering down for leaner times as much as we all are.  It might not be as much of a "no brainer" as your suspect.