How far ahead guests book at each venue, and whether it is shrinking
What the answer looks like
Illustrative output on sample data
Illustrative example: how Lexi answers this for a tasting menu restaurant group with three venues. It measures the days between booking and visit for every reservation over two years.
- Venue 1: median 21 days ahead, down from 34 days last year
- Venue 2: median 9 days, down from 11
- Venue 3: median 4 days, flat
What the data shows
Venue 1's booking window has shortened by almost two weeks.
What it means
Regulars who used to book a month out now book closer to the date, often after a last-minute availability email.
What to do
Send Venue 1's regulars monthly early-access dates, and move availability emails earlier so tables fill sooner.
Want me to show the booking window by party size?
Why it matters
How far ahead guests book shapes staffing, purchasing and when marketing should land. A shrinking booking window means less warning about busy nights, and it often signals a change in how guests plan, which campaigns and capacity plans need to follow.
Frequently asked questions
What is a restaurant booking window?
It is how far ahead guests make reservations, usually measured as the median number of days between booking and visit. It shows how much notice a venue gets about demand, which affects staffing, ordering and when to market.
Why do restaurant booking windows shorten?
Guests book later when they expect tables to be available, when plans become more spontaneous, or when last-minute promotions teach them to wait. Comparing booking windows by venue and guest type shows which of these is happening.
How do restaurants encourage earlier bookings?
Give regulars a reason to book ahead, such as early access to popular dates or limited tasting menus. Avoid relying on last-minute availability emails, which can teach guests that waiting is safe. Track the median booking window each month to see whether it moves back.