1. The device at the door
Use what you have: a tablet, a laptop, a computer at the stand or even a phone. A bigger screen in landscape is easiest to read during a rush. Keep it plugged in and signed in, so it stays on the floor plan.
2. Draw your floor
Draw your tables where they really are, with their seats. Mark which tables push together, the patio and the bar, and any private room. A photo or a sketch is enough to start.
3. Add your servers
Add everyone who works the floor with a colour each. Put them in your rotation order. Decide if you run sections, and at what times.
4. Waitlist and texting
Turn on texting so guests can wait anywhere, and put a QR code at the door so they can add themselves when the host is busy.
5. A screen for the team
Put a TV, an old tablet or a spare screen near the kitchen pass so servers see their tables and what each one needs. It's the step most restaurants skip, and the one servers notice first.
With Mesa
Mesa walks you through these steps in its setup and runs in the browser of any tablet, computer or phone. The team screen works on any TV with a browser.