During onboarding, Speako asks you to choose the business type that best matches how the location operates. This choice is important because it affects the setup tasks and dashboard areas you see later.
The two broad patterns are restaurant-style locations and service-business locations.
What changes based on the type
Speako uses the location type to decide which operational resources matter most:
| Business type | Primary setup focus | Example dashboard areas |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Tables, seating, zones, and floor plan setup | Tables, Zone Tags, Floor Plan |
| Service business | Staff, job titles, services, and service categories | Team Members, Job Titles, Services, Categories |
Both types still share common areas such as Bookings, Customers, AI Agent, Organization, and Settings.
Choose based on how customers book
The safest way to choose is to ask what the customer is reserving.
Choose a restaurant-style setup when customers are reserving a dining time, table, or seating capacity. Choose a service-business setup when customers are reserving a service, appointment, staff member, or other bookable service resource.
⚠️ Important: This is more than a label. The choice changes which setup guide tasks appear and which sidebar sections Speako shows for the location.
How it affects the Setup Guide
The Setup Guide adapts to the location type:
- restaurant locations show Set up your tables
- service-business locations show Setup your booking resources
This keeps the setup checklist focused on the resources that matter for that location.
How it affects the AI Agent
The AI Agent relies on the same business setup. A restaurant agent needs the business to have accurate table and seating information. A service-business agent needs accurate staff, services, and availability.
If the wrong type is selected, the agent may not have the right structure to support the caller's booking request.
If your business does both
Some businesses may feel like they fit both patterns. Choose the type that matches the main customer booking workflow for the location you are creating.
If you operate different kinds of locations, configure them separately and review each location's setup before going live.