Build anticipation before you open your doors. Collect reservations, VIP interest, and launch-night RSVPs — all in one beautiful waitlist.
You've spent months on the concept, the menu, the build-out. But how do you fill seats on night one?
You post "Coming Soon!" on Instagram but have no way to capture the viewers who actually want to be first in line.
Without a list of confirmed interest, you're guessing how many people will show. A half-empty opening night kills momentum.
Even if people express interest, if you don't have their email or phone, you can't invite them when the date is set.
Three steps to a packed opening night.
Set up fields for name, email, party size, preferred date, dietary needs, or anything else you want to know. Make it feel like an exclusive invitation.
<form action="https://api.waitloop.io/f/YOUR_KEY" method="POST"> <input name="guest_name" /> <input name="email" /> <input name="phone" /> <select name="party_size">...</select> <select name="dietary">...</select> <button>Reserve My Spot</button> </form>
Link it from your Instagram bio, Google Maps listing, press releases, or food-blog features. Every sign-up is a guaranteed future guest.
Export your RSVP list when you're ready. Know how many covers to prep for, what dietary needs to expect, and who your VIP early supporters are.
Focus on the food, the ambiance, the service. Let us handle the waitlist.
Create separate lists for VIP opening night, soft-launch week, and general availability. Reward your earliest supporters with first access.
Collect party-size data upfront so you know exactly how many covers to expect. Optimize your floor plan before you open.
Know your audience's dietary restrictrions before they walk in. Plan your opening menu around real data: vegan, gluten-free, allergies, halal.
Once the date is set, export your list to CSV. Send personalized invitations by email or SMS. Track who's confirmed vs. still pending.
A chef opening a 60-seat Italian bistro in a trendy neighborhood creates a Waitloop form 6 weeks before opening. Fields: name, email, party size, preferred evening, dietary needs, and a "How did you hear about us?" dropdown.
The link goes in the restaurant's Instagram bio (2K followers), on the "Coming Soon" poster taped to the front window (with a QR code), and in a local food-blog feature.
Over 6 weeks, 187 people sign up. Average party size: 3.2 people. The chef now knows the mix of dietary needs and can plan the first-week menu and supplies accordingly.
Opening night is fully booked within 3 hours of sending invitations. The first week is 80% reserved before a single ad dollar is spent.
Fine dining, fast casual, bakery, food truck — if people want to know when you open, Waitloop captures that demand.
Start collecting RSVPs today. Build real demand before you finalize the build-out.
Create Your Restaurant WaitlistSet up in 60 seconds.