Speako supports two types of bookings depending on your business. This article explains the differences between restaurant reservations and service appointments.

Restaurant Bookings

Restaurant bookings (reservations) focus on table availability:

Key Elements

• Party size — How many guests
• Table assignment — Which table they'll sit at
• Duration — Estimated dining time
• Zone preferences — Indoor, outdoor, bar, etc.

How It Works

1. Customer requests date/time and party size
2. System finds tables that can accommodate the group
3. Best available table is assigned
4. Table is blocked for the booking duration

Unique Features

• Automatic table selection based on capacity
• Zone filtering for seating preferences
• Party size validation against table capacity
• Customer seated status tracking

Service Appointments

Service bookings focus on staff availability:

Key Elements

• Service type — What service is requested
• Staff member — Who provides the service
• Duration — How long the service takes
• Price — Service cost

How It Works

1. Customer selects a service
2. System finds available staff who provide it
3. Specific staff member is assigned (or auto-selected)
4. Staff calendar is blocked for the duration

Unique Features

• Service-based duration (from service settings)
• Staff assignment based on skills
• Service status tracking (scheduled, in progress, complete)
• Price display based on service

Comparison

Combined Flow

Both types share:

• Customer information capture
• Date and time selection
• Confirmation emails
• Calendar display
• Status management
• Modification and cancellation

Your Business Type

Your location type determines which booking flow is used:

• Restaurant locations use table-based booking
• Service locations use staff-based booking This is set when you create your location and can be changed in location settings.