Speako works differently depending on whether you run a restaurant or a service-based business. Choosing the right type ensures you get the features you need.

The Two Business Types

Restaurant

Choose this if customers book tables for dining:

  • Restaurants, cafes, and bars

  • Fine dining establishments

  • Casual dining venues

  • Food halls and eateries Key features for restaurants:

  • Table management

  • Party size handling

  • Zone organization (patio, main room, etc.)

Service-Based

Choose this if customers book appointments with staff:

  • Hair salons and barbershops

  • Medical and dental practices

  • Spas and wellness centers

  • Professional services (legal, consulting)

  • Fitness trainers and gyms

  • And many more Key features for service businesses:

  • Staff scheduling

  • Service catalog

  • Individual availability per staff member

Selecting Your Business Type

During onboarding, you'll see categories of business types to choose from.

  1. Browse the available categories
  2. Click on a category to expand it
  3. Select the specific type that matches your business
  4. The selected type will be highlighted

If you have many categories to browse, use the search bar:

  1. Type part of your business type (e.g., "sushi" or "dental")
  2. Results filter as you type
  3. Click your match to select it

Why This Matters

Your business type determines:

  • Which features appear — Restaurants see "Tables," service businesses see "Staff" and "Services"
  • How bookings work — Table reservations vs. staff appointments
  • What gets pre-configured — Default settings optimized for your industry
  • AI agent behavior — How your AI handles booking requests

Can I Change This Later?

Your business type is set per location. If you need to change it after setup, contact support as this affects your data structure.

If you have multiple locations of different types (e.g., a restaurant and a catering office), each location can have its own type.

Next Steps

  • Selecting Your Industry Category — Get more specific about your business
  • Creating Your First Location — Complete your setup