Table ReservationsTapa TableDurations

How do I set the average duration time per reservation?

What are table durations?

Setting the right duration for each party size helps optimise table usage, improve turnover, and increase the number of guests that can be served during busy periods.

Option 1. Service duration time

If every table should use the same duration regardless of covers, set a single default duration against the service.

  1. Go to Settings > Tables > Services.
  2. Edit the required service.
  3. Change the default Duration in minutes.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Use Update Tills and Send Changes.

Include table turn time inside the default duration. Duration Rules based on covers will override the default duration.

Option 2. Duration rules (recommended)

Duration Rules let you assign different reservation times based on covers.

  1. Edit the required service.
  2. Create a new duration rule with + Add Rule.
  3. Enter the minimum covers.
  4. Enter the maximum covers.
  5. Select the time profile the rule applies to.
  6. Enter the duration in minutes.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Use Update Tills and Send Changes.

Make sure cover ranges do not overlap, and include cleaning and reset time in the duration. Refresh the widget browser and allow up to two minutes for the changes to apply.

Example duration rows

The following example matches a typical dinner setup with different reservation times for each cover range.

Min Covers Max Covers Profile Name Duration (mins)
1 2 DINNER 75
2 4 DINNER 90
5 6 DINNER 100
7 9 DINNER 115
10 20 DINNER 125

FAQ

Should I use the default duration or duration rules?

Use the default duration if all bookings should last the same amount of time. Use duration rules if timings should vary by covers.

What happens if a duration rule overlaps another one?

Overlapping cover ranges can cause inconsistent behaviour, so make sure each rule has a distinct minimum and maximum cover range.