Overview:
Imagine every host stand basically running on WhatsApp. Guests scan a QR or message a number, the bot adds them to the waitlist, gives them an ETA, pings them when the table’s ready, and quietly tracks their visits so they earn digital stamps—no app to download, no clunky pager. The staff just use a super simple web screen to move the queue. All the data lands in Airtable/Sheets so the owner can see repeat rates, NPS, and run targeted promos to the people who already love them.
The Trends:
Conversational commerce is rapidly expanding—market forecasts show strong double‑digit CAGR as retailers embed chat and AI into buying journeys. (1, 2)
WhatsApp (and other messaging channels) deliver far higher opens/clicks than email—business adoption and API use are surging for notifications, bookings and sales. (3, 4)
No‑app, channel‑first experiences (SMS/WhatsApp + simple web widgets) lower friction and win consumer adoption—mobile-first interactions are becoming the default path to engage guests. (1, 3)
Digital loyalty is shifting to mobile and instant rewards—consumers prefer digital/phone‑based loyalty and personalized rewards, making stamp‑style digital programs effective when integrated into messaging flows. (5, 6)
SMB pilots with per‑location subscription + usage billing (messaging fees) are a proven go‑to-market: low setup, quick ROI, and integrations (Airtable/Sheets + Twilio/WhatsApp) let founders scale with a small pilot base. (4, 3)
Your Answer:
WhatsApp-first concierge: a bot that manages waitlists, texts guests when tables are ready, collects visit feedback and issues stamp-based loyalty rewards — no new app or hardware required; backend runs on Airtable/Sheets with Twilio WhatsApp + a tiny web widget for staff.
Solves restaurant pain points: eliminates chaotic lines and manual note-taking, reduces no-shows and perceived wait time, captures permissioned customer contact info for follow-ups, and replaces paper punch-cards with digital stamps to boost repeat visits.
How it works in practice: guest scans a QR or texts a number → bot places them on the list, sends ETA and 'table ready' alerts; staff manage the queue from a simple web UI; visits automatically add loyalty stamps and trigger redemption messages.
Measurable lift & retention: increases table turns and repeat rate, grows an owned WhatsApp audience for promos, and centralizes feedback and KPIs in Sheets/Airtable so owners can track list growth, redemption rate and NPS.
Your Roadmap:
No‑code MVP: sign up Twilio WhatsApp + a Twilio Studio flow to handle incoming messages, waitlist join, ETA replies and stamp issuance.
Use Airtable as the backend: table for venues, parties, reservations, loyalty stamps and message logs; connect via Zapier or Make to Twilio Studio.
Embed a tiny web widget (Typeform / Paperform) or QR code in venue linking to WhatsApp prefilled message to join the waitlist.
Add automated follow-ups: NPS/feedback 30–60 minutes after visit, and a loyalty-stamp message template; export weekly reports from Airtable.
Pilot: onboard 3 venues, monitor messaging cost, iterate messages and timing; charge flat monthly + per-message passthrough.