Stopping no-shows with Dojo deposits

Why no-shows cost more than they look

A no-show isn't just one empty table. It's a table you turned other bookings away for, staff you rostered, and food you prepped. On a fully booked Saturday, a party of six not turning up can wipe out the margin on the whole service. That's why deposit protection is the feature most venues actually buy a booking system for.

How the protection works

You require a card at the point of booking, then choose how it's used:

• Deposit up front — the guest pays a set amount when they book, redeemed against their final bill. Real commitment, and it reduces the bill on the night.
• Charge on no-show — you hold the card details and only charge if they fail to show or cancel late. Lower friction at booking, still a real deterrent.

Setting rules that fit your room

Blanket deposits can scare off good bookings, so the trick is targeting. Dojo Bookings lets you set rules by:

• Service — protect Friday and Saturday dinner, leave a quiet Tuesday lunch deposit-free
• Party size — take deposits on larger tables where a no-show hurts most
• Date — ring-fence Valentine's, Mother's Day and December, when demand is high and no-shows are costliest

Getting the balance right

Deposits are a lever, not a switch. Too aggressive and you deter genuine bookings; too soft and no-shows creep back. We help venues set rules that match their actual no-show pattern — usually protecting the nights and table sizes where the risk is real, and staying open everywhere else.

FAQs