“Can you really tell me how long my meal should take?
There are places out there that will say, “Yes, we totally can”—and that’s exactly what they do. Everyone knows someone who has been asked to make way for waiting customers. Some restaurants will even tell you upfront that you must limit your visit to a set time.” Cheryl Bowles
“Hey, you with the Sunday paper, fussing with the crossword puzzle and the dregs in your coffee cup. Your spinach-cheddar omelet has been history for an hour. Time to clear out. There are 20-plus people waiting for a table.” Judy Hevrdejs
Restaurateurs, those poor helpless types who are in a total no win situation try to appease both opposing views. During slow times you welcome those who linger because it is “social proof” that your restaurant is the place. During the busy times the same behavior becomes a liability. Those who linger are sucking revenue away, and that revenue will never be made up.
What to do? The most common strategy is to have the servers remove all items from the table and continually visit asking if there is anything else they need? At some point if that does not work the manager sheepishly strides over and stumbles over a request to move you to the bar or out all together. On New Years Eve etc., most restaurants have a time limit on the table so the guest knows up front. I have actually seen a time limit written into the menu.
I am really old school on this one. If it is only one table, I would allow them to linger as long as they want. If every table in your restaurant has people who linger, that is a different discussion.
What do you think about those who linger?
