Take Online ReservationsWithout Per-Booking Fees
Why pay £2+ for every diner who books a table? Flat-rate reservation systems let you accept unlimited bookings for one predictable monthly fee.
The Problem with Per-Cover Fees
Platforms like OpenTable charge you for every diner who books through their system. The more successful your restaurant, the more you pay in fees.
OpenTable's Fee Structure
Monthly Subscription
- Basic: £149/month
- Core: £299/month
- Pro: £499/month
Plus Per-Cover Fees
- Network bookings: £2+ per diner
- Experiences: 3.5% + £2.50 per cover
Example: 500 covers/month via OpenTable
Subscription (Core)
£299/mo
Per-cover fees (500 × £2)
£1,000/mo
Annual total
£15,588/yr
Flat-Rate Reservations: Pay Once, Book Unlimited
Per-Cover Model
- Pay for every booking
- Costs grow with success
- Unpredictable monthly bills
- Penalised for busy periods
Flat-Rate Model
- Unlimited bookings
- Same cost busy or quiet
- Predictable monthly expense
- Success doesn't cost more
Annual Savings Comparison
OpenTable (500 covers/mo)
£15,588/yr
Servd (unlimited)
£228/yr
You save
£15,360/yr
How to Set Up Fee-Free Reservations
Choose a Flat-Rate Platform
Look for reservation software that charges monthly fees instead of per-booking. Compare features and make sure it includes:
- Online booking widget
- Table and capacity management
- Automatic confirmations
- Reminder notifications
- Floor plan support
Set Up Your Restaurant Profile
Configure the basics so the system knows when and how many you can seat:
- Opening hours for each day
- Total covers capacity
- Booking time slots (15, 30, or 60 min intervals)
- Maximum party size
- Advance booking window
Create Your Table Layout
Set up your floor plan so the system can manage availability accurately:
- Add tables with capacities
- Group tables that can be combined
- Set table turn times
- Mark any tables with restrictions
Add Booking to Your Channels
Make it easy for customers to find and use your booking system:
- Embed widget on your website
- Add booking link to Google Business Profile
- Share link on social media bios
- Add QR code to printed materials
Configure Automated Communications
Reduce no-shows with automatic messages:
- Instant confirmation email
- 24-hour reminder SMS/email
- Easy cancellation link
- Post-visit feedback request (optional)
Essential Reservation Features
Online Booking Widget
Embeddable form customers can use to book 24/7
Table Management
Track capacity and assign tables automatically
Auto Confirmations
Instant email when booking is made
SMS Reminders
Reduce no-shows with day-before reminders
Turn Time Management
Set how long each table is booked for
Deposit Collection
Take deposits for large parties or peak times
Servd: Unlimited Reservations from £19/month
Servd includes everything you need for online reservations—plus digital menus and ordering if you want them. No per-cover fees, no surprises.
£19/month
Unlimited reservations included
Frequently Asked Questions
Per-cover fees charge you for each person (cover) in a booking. If OpenTable charges £2 per cover and a party of 4 books, you pay £8 for that single reservation. Per-booking fees charge a flat amount per reservation regardless of party size. Either way, the more successful you are, the more you pay.
Stop Paying Per Booking
Every reservation through per-cover platforms costs you money. Switch to flat-rate and keep more of what you earn.
Get Started FreeFree digital menu plan available. Reservations from £19/month.