Glossary
Table turn
A table turn is one complete seating of a table, from when a party sits down to when the table is cleared and reset for the next guests.
How table turns drive revenue
Turns per shift measures how many parties a table serves; turn time measures how long each party stays. Together they set the ceiling on how much revenue a fixed dining room can produce in a night.
Faster turns raise capacity but can rush guests, so the goal is rarely the fastest possible turn. It is the turn time that maximizes revenue without eroding the experience.
- Turn time — how long one party occupies a table
- Turns per shift — how many parties a table serves
- Balance speed against guest experience, not just speed
Example
A 90-minute average turn lets a table seat three parties across a dinner shift. Trimming it to 75 minutes can add a fourth seating on busy nights, raising covers without adding seats.
See also
Related
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