6 secrets for improving your restaurant's fill rate

Knowing your restaurant's fill rate is much more than just a statistic: it's a key performance indicator used to plan your strategic operations. In this article, we'll explore methods for measuring and improving your restaurant's fill rate. Attract more customers and grow your restaurant with our expert advice!

‍

What is the fill rate for a restaurant? 

The "fill rate", also known as the "occupancy rate", represents the percentage of occupied tables in relation to the total number of tables available in the restaurant. The occupancy rate can be calculated at a specific point in time, or over a longer period. 

Fill rate is one of our key performance indicators (KPI). It is used to measure your ability to attract customers and fill your restaurant. KPIs are commonly used in the hospitality industry to assess operational efficiency and profitability.

👉 Further information: Key performance indicators for the foodservice industry

Not to be confused: Fill rate ≠ attendance rate! 

‍

How do you calculate your restaurant's fill rate?

The most commonly used formula for calculating fill rates in the foodservice industry is as follows: 

Fill rate = (number of tables occupied) / (total number of tables) * 100 

Let's take the example of a restaurant with 20 tables.

1. Determine the number of occupied tables:

During a given period (for example, a day or a shift), count the number of tables occupied by customers. For example, you filled 15 tables during the evening service.

2. Identify the total number of tables:

This is the total number of tables your restaurant can use. In our example, the restaurant has a total of 20 tables.

3. Calculate the fill rate:

(15 / 20 ) x 100 = 75

Here, the restaurant's occupancy rate for this specific period is therefore 75%.

‍

When should you calculate your restaurant's fill rate?

It's a good idea to calculate the fill rate over several periods to get an overview of your business.

• On a daily basis, to analyze variations in attendance by day and by lunch and dinner service.
• Over a longer period (a month / a season / a year / etc.), to identify major trends and adjust operations accordingly.

You'll then be able to make strategic decisions about opening hours, staffing levels, promotions and so on.

👉 To find out more: How to cope with a drop in restaurant traffic

‍

Why is a restaurant's fill rate important?

Calculating your restaurant's fill rate is crucial for a number of practical reasons. This key indicator enables you to assess your restaurant's financial health and operational performance. Here are a few concrete examples to help you understand:

Capacity optimization

Let's say you own a restaurant with 40 tables. By calculating the fill rate, you can find out how many tables are occupied on average each evening. If you find that the fill rate is often 80%, this means that most of your tables are being used, which is good news. 

On the other hand, if the fill rate is low, say 30%, it could mean you need to rethink your strategy to attract more customers or adjust your offer.

Better resource and inventory management

Now let's suppose that your point of sale is very busy on Friday and Saturday nights, but quieter during the week. By calculating the fill rate for each day of the week, you can better allocate your stock and resources. 

For example, on weekdays you can reduce the number of servers and offer special promotions, and order more products to meet increased demand at weekends. 

Customer satisfaction index

A high fill rate may mean that your restaurant is popular, but it can also lead to longer waiting times and a less satisfactory customer experience. By monitoring your fill rate regularly, you can better manage your reservations, service and staff to deliver a better experience to your customers, even during big rushes.

👉 To go further: How to improve the customer experience in a restaurant?

‍

How can you improve your restaurant's fill rate?

You can increase your restaurant's occupancy rate by implementing a number of different strategies. Step 1 to attract more customers to your restaurant: start by analyzing your current data by looking at your fill rates, and identify trends, strengths and weaknesses.

Based on your results, you can target the best strategies for increasing your restaurant's fill rate: 

1. Offer attractive promotions: on days with low occupancy rates, offer discounted menus, happy hours on drinks, or group promotions.

2. ‍Optimizeyour online communication strategy: regularly update your website(with SEO) and social networks with attractive photos of dishes, up-to-date menus and positive customer reviews. 
3. ‍Improvethe customer experience : make customer satisfaction a priority by being extra special to your customers! Make sure service is fast, attentive and personalized.
4. ‍Implementa reservation management system to ensure a more even distribution of visitors.
5. ‍Accelerateorder-taking and checkout : with order kiosks and QR codes, the manager can easily improve customer satisfaction and speed up table turnover.
6. ‍Rethinklayout and design: The storefront, reception area and dining room must make customers want to stay! Create pleasant, friendly spaces to make customers want to spend a good time at your place. 

-

Put digital technology to work for your restaurant with Innovorder! Contact an expert and find out how to improve your productivity, boost your sales and increase your margins.