📅 Online Reservations

Online reservations with deposit capture

Customers book a table online and pay a deposit via Stripe. No-shows drop dramatically. Deposits credit against the final bill. Confirmation emails are sent automatically.

Everything in the reservation system

From booking to seated — fully automated

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Stripe deposit at booking

Customers pay a deposit via Stripe when they book. Card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are all supported. Deposit captures immediately.

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Automated confirmation emails

Customers receive a detailed confirmation email automatically. A reminder email goes out before their reservation date.

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Auto-assign tables

When a reservation is confirmed, CafeOS can auto-assign a suitable table based on party size and availability.

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Assign a dedicated waiter

Attach a specific staff member to a reservation so they're ready to welcome guests when they arrive.

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Deposit credited to bill

When staff close the order, the reservation deposit is automatically applied as a credit against the final bill.

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Reservation dashboard

See all upcoming reservations in a single view. Filter by date, status, and table. No spreadsheets needed.

How the reservation flow works

1

Customer books online

They visit your reservation page, choose date, time, and party size, and pay the deposit via Stripe.

2

You see it in the dashboard

The reservation appears in your dashboard instantly. Table and waiter are auto-assigned or you can adjust.

3

Confirmation is sent

Customer gets a confirmation email with full details. A reminder goes out automatically before the date.

4

Deposit credits the bill

When the guest dines, staff open the reservation in the POS. The deposit credits against the final bill automatically.

Why deposits are the most effective way to reduce no-shows

A financial commitment changes behaviour. Venues that require deposits typically see no-show rates drop from 15–20% to under 3%.

Free bookings are easy to forget

When a booking costs nothing to make and nothing to cancel, customers feel little obligation to show up. A deposit — even a small one — creates a real commitment that dramatically increases attendance rates.

Deposits cover preparation costs

A no-show still costs you staff time, prepped ingredients, and a reserved table. A deposit ensures that even if the guest doesn't arrive, your direct costs are covered.

No friction for genuine guests

For guests who genuinely intend to come, a deposit is irrelevant — it just credits against their bill. The friction exists only for people likely to no-show, which is exactly the behaviour you want to filter out.

Automated with no manual work

CafeOS captures deposits via Stripe at the time of booking. You don't chase payments, send invoices, or follow up. The deposit either converts to revenue or deters a no-show — automatically.

Common questions

How much should I charge as a deposit?
There is no fixed rule. Common approaches are a flat amount per person (e.g. £5–£10 per head) or a fixed amount per reservation (e.g. £20). The goal is for the deposit to be large enough to be a real deterrent to no-shows but small enough not to deter genuine bookings.
What if a customer cancels in advance?
CafeOS records the cancellation. Whether you refund the deposit is your policy — CafeOS does not auto-refund. You can issue a refund from your Stripe dashboard at any time.
Can walk-in customers and reservation customers coexist?
Yes. The reservation system manages advance bookings. The POS and QR ordering handle walk-ins. Both appear in the same orders and analytics view.
Does the customer need a Stripe account to pay a deposit?
No. Customers pay the deposit using a standard card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay — no Stripe account required.

Stop losing revenue to no-shows

Set up online reservations with Stripe deposits in minutes. Free to start.