What is table turn time and how can I improve it?
What it measures
Turn time is the gap between one party leaving and the next party being seated at the same table. A short turn time lets you serve more guests on a busy night, which can help sales without adding staff. Many teams track it on busy shifts to find slow spots.
Turn time is affected by the kitchen, the bussing crew and the host stand. A delay in any one of those areas adds to the wait for the next guest.
- Clock the time from check paid to table ready
- Track by section or server station
- Compare weekdays with weekends
- Note whether delays come from bussing or seating
How to speed it up
Set up each table with the basics ready to go, such as napkins, silverware and menus, so the reset is quick. Assign a busser to each section during rush periods, and have them clear and reset right away instead of waiting for a full tray.
Keep the host stand informed about which tables are close to being ready. A simple signal or message system helps the host seat the next party without a gap. Avoid rushing guests, though, since a rushed meal can hurt tips and reviews.
Common mistakes
- Pushing guests out the door, which hurts the experience and tips.
- Leaving dirty tables for long stretches during the rush.
- Measuring turn time without tracking when the delays happen.
