What steakhouses need
- Deposits on high-value covers – A no-show on a $150+ cover is a serious loss; card-on-file or a deposit protects it
- Large-party and private-dining bookings – Celebrations, business dinners, and group set menus
- Special-occasion handling – Anniversaries and birthdays drive premium spend when flagged in advance
- VIP guest profiles – Remember regulars, allergies, favorite cuts, and table preferences
- Longer dining-time pacing – Steakhouse meals run long; pacing keeps the kitchen and floor in sync
Why no-shows hurt steakhouses most
Few restaurant types lose more to a no-show than a steakhouse. With high average checks and tables held for long, premium seatings, one empty reserved table can cost hundreds in lost revenue with no chance to rebook. Collecting a deposit or card-on-file on large parties and weekend prime-time bookings is the single highest-impact change most steakhouses can make. Pair it with automated reminders and you protect the covers that matter most. Use our no-show cost calculator to see what they cost you per year.
Top options for steakhouses
| System | Price | Best feature |
|---|---|---|
| Resos | Free - $149/mo | Deposits + VIP guest profiles, no cover fees |
| OpenTable | $149-499/mo + fees | Diner network for discovery |
| SevenRooms | Custom ($500+/mo) | Enterprise CRM for groups |
Our recommendation
A single-location steakhouse rarely needs enterprise pricing. Resos handles deposits, large-party bookings, VIP guest notes, and pacing at a price that fits a steakhouse's margins, with no per-cover fees eating into those high checks. Start on the free tier to set up deposit rules for weekend prime time, then scale as you grow. For the bigger picture see our best systems for reducing no-shows and guide to prepayments and deposits.