In Auckland's bustling culinary landscape, the Mount Eden Hospitality Group, which includes The Garden Shed, Wu&U, and Frasers, has experienced remarkable growth and operational improvements thanks to the strategic use of Now Book It and First Table. Nixon Sherchan, the General Manager overseeing these beloved eateries, shared insights into how these platforms have been game-changers for their business.

The journey wasn't without its challenges. Sherchan elaborated on the operational hurdles they faced before adopting these platforms: "In Ponsonby on a Friday night, they may do two or three seatings. In Mount Eden, however, we can only do one. The idea of introducing First Table was to get more people at five o’clock so that we have some people dining in. That gives us some sort of revenue, and also people see people and trust people, meaning they are more likely to choose our venue to dine in."

"We had different booking systems prior to Now Book It. The reason we moved to Now Book It was because of the support and customer service. We had a lot of challenges getting things done as most business owners are juggling many tasks. For instance, if you want to send emails or remove the First Table offer for a night, the team is always available to help me out."

Wu & You, Mount Eden

Frasers, a well-loved café known for its hearty meals and warm ambiance, also faced operational challenges. The integration of Now Book It and First Table proved pivotal. "For Frasers, Now Book It has been instrumental in managing our reservations more effectively," Sherchan shared.

First Table and Now Book It addressed these challenges effectively. "First Table has definitely helped with exposure to early diners. When people walk past on the street, we try and position the First Table in outside, front seating and earlier. People do attract people. I know we are discounting it, but I’m a firm believer that it's better to discount and have people there than have an empty restaurant at 5 pm. And the same goes for Now Book It; everything is quite modern, everything that a restaurant could need is set up in there, plus the support is there to help you."

Fraser's Cafe, Mount Eden

The integration of these tools led to a noticeable expansion in the customer base. "When we do these bookings, we always get these emails. With a booking system, it allows us to have that bigger database," Sherchan explained. "Especially at a time like now, where we have two issues: one is the weather, and one is the economic/financial situation. When you have that bigger database, you can send through targeted offers, which has definitely helped."

Sherchan shared figures related to the impact of these tools on their venues: "It's so quiet in Mount Eden that on some nights with bad weather, no one comes out. So, on some of those nights, without First Table we would only be doing half of what we ended up doing."

Since launching on the platform, the three venues have collectively received over 31,000 bookings, with more than 83,000 diners. In fact, over the past 30 days, during the typically quiet month of June, the venues received over 547 bookings via First Table, resulting in roughly 1,454 covers. Around 65% of these diners had never visited the restaurants before, increasing the opportunity to wow new diners with a fantastic experience and turn them into regulars.

The Garden Shed, Mount Eden

For Nixon Sherchan and his team, the integration of Now Book It and First Table has been a recipe for success. These platforms have not only streamlined operations but also attracted new customers and enhanced the dining experience across The Garden Shed, Wu&U, and Frasers.

"In today's competitive market, it's crucial to leverage technology to stay ahead," Sherchan concluded. "Now Book It and First Table have given us the tools to do just that, and the results speak for themselves. Our customers are happier, our operations run smoother, and our business continues to grow."

As Auckland's dining scene continues to evolve, the Mount Eden Hospitality Group stands out as a prime example of how innovative solutions can drive success, bring in new customers and revenue, and elevate the restaurant experience for both operators and diners alike. The journey of digital transformation, led by Now Book It and First Table, has not only addressed operational challenges but also opened new avenues for growth and customer satisfaction.