To work out what no-shows cost your restaurant, multiply the covers that didn’t turn up each week by your average spend per head, then multiply by 52 for a yearly figure. That gives you the lost revenue. The real cost is higher once you add wasted prep, staff scheduled for covers that never came, and guests you turned away because the table was held.
The basic calculation
You need two numbers:
- No-show covers per week. Count guests, not bookings. A no-show table of four is four covers.
- Average spend per head. Your total food and drink sales divided by covers, over a normal month.
Then:
No-show covers per week × average spend per head × 52 = yearly revenue lost to no-shows
A worked example
A 60-cover restaurant has, on average:
- 2 no-show tables a week, averaging 3 guests each: 6 covers
- an average spend of £35 per head
6 × £35 × 52 = £10,920 a year in lost revenue.
That’s before anything else on the list below.
The costs the calculation misses
- Prep and waste. Food prepared for expected covers that ends up in the bin.
- Staff time. Shifts scheduled around a full book.
- Turned-away guests. The couple you sent away at 8pm because table six was held.
- The next sitting. On a two-sitting night, a no-show at 6pm can’t always be resold for the early slot.
Track it for a month
If you don’t know your no-show numbers, start counting. For every no-show, note:
- the date and time;
- the party size;
- how it was booked (online, phone);
- whether the table was resold.
After four weeks you’ll know your figure, and where no-shows cluster. Most venues find they concentrate on certain nights and party sizes.
What to do with the number
If the yearly cost is more than a few hundred pounds, it’s worth acting. Start where no-shows hurt most: asking for a card on file for weekend evenings or larger parties usually makes the biggest difference. Our guide to reducing no-shows covers the options.
How ForStars fits
The ForStars home page has a no-show calculator that does this sum with your own numbers. On the Growth and Premium plans, guests save a card through Stripe when they book, so you can charge a no-show fee. See pricing.
Questions owners ask
What counts as a no-show?
A booking where the guest neither arrives nor cancels. Many venues also count very late cancellations, inside their cancellation window.
Should I include partial no-shows?
Yes. A table of six where only four arrive is two no-show covers.