topic Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs) in Restaurant Operations

How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:42:15 GMT

Hi All,

Curious if anyone has implemented a minimum spend policy for a party where guests are opening separate tabs. We've thought about assigning all tabs to a single table in the party area, but not sure how to report on that in realtime without dumping a report to excel.

Appreciate any ideas!

Thanks,
Josh

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

rcmck — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:51:48 GMT

Could you just assign a revenue center for the tables in the party area and run a sales summary report for that revenue center? Alternatively you could assign a revenue center on the POS device(s) that are used in the party area if it's not by table.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:20:42 GMT

Thanks good idea.

Do you know if assigning specific tables to a "party" revenue center would override the existing mapping of service areas <> revenue centers?

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:22:39 GMT

Just found this on Toast Central:

The table-level revenue center will always take priority in reporting.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

rcmck — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:42:28 GMT

Wasn't sure if this was a dedicated space or not, in that case maybe just go with assigning a revenue center to the devices you use to ring everything up then those sales will be mapped to that revenue center. Though with tables taking priority you would not be able to ring under table service I'm assuming. I guess you could also just change the revenue center assigned to the tables during the party, but that could get forgotten easily.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

rcmck — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:14:18 GMT

I guess you could also create an alternate service area completely and just use that service area. Or another option could be to create a fake employee for the party that everything is put under and tracked that way.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 23:03:21 GMT

Thanks. We actually use QR codes so for this scenario (min spend party w/ separate checks), the revenue center approach seems to be the best option.

Steps would be..

1. Change "party area" tables to new revenue center "Party"
2. Report on min spend for the evening.
3. Change tables back to original revenue center after the party wraps. - painful, but doable.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

lchatzipetrakos — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 01:32:37 GMT

We have a "party" number we use for events like this, so we can run the shift review at any moment and set the net sales at moment's notice. Then on the back end we split up the sales/tips/etc. for those who work the event.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:24:56 GMT

Interesting...by "number" do you mean a table number?

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

lchatzipetrakos — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 14:14:39 GMT

No, a clock in number. We use 9999 and run that shift review exclusively for that party.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:45:45 GMT

Got it thanks. That's a great solution for a party where you've got a traditional service model in play.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

lchatzipetrakos — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:57:48 GMT

What's your situation? You can also create a dining option specific for "parties" that mimic dine in or something along those lines, so it's easy to change when you open the check.

Re: How to implement minimum spend requirement for a party (multiple tabs)

bottletheory — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:46:18 GMT

We rely heavily on QR codes (Toast OPT) in our dining room. We have a scenario where we rent out a space and have a minimum spend requirement for party bookings on our busy nights. We don't run a traditional service model, so guests are ordering via QR codes at those tables.

Looks like the best way to solve this may be to re-assign those tables to a "party" revenue center during the party, then assign them back when the party concludes. I suppose we could print a second set of QR codes just for parties that are already assigned to a service area / rev center, but then we need to manage two sets of QR codes.