How do I take over a restaurant’s reservation system after buying it?
Find out in advance whose account the system sits under and what the provider requires to move it to you. Get admin access on closing day, honour bookings already taken, and decide what happens to guest records with your lawyer’s help.
Reservations are the restaurant’s calendar, so a clumsy handover shows up fast. Before closing, ask the seller to identify the system, the account holder, the contract terms and any monthly fees. Contact the provider with the seller to learn how an account moves to a new owner and what proof they ask for. Plan the changeover day. Existing bookings must keep working, so avoid switching tools in the middle of a busy weekend. Ask for an export of upcoming reservations as a backup, and have staff know which phone line and email take bookings.
Guest information needs care. It includes names, contact details and sometimes notes on allergies or preferences. Ask your lawyer how privacy obligations apply to what you receive and what guests should be told. Finally, review how the system connects to the website, the phone and online listings. If any of those link to the seller’s details, correct them at once so guests reach you. Tell regular guests how to book under the new arrangements, especially if the phone number, link or confirmation email will look different.
Key takeaways
- Identify the account holder and the provider’s transfer steps early.
- Protect existing bookings by timing the switch for a quiet day.
- Export upcoming reservations as a backup before handover.
- Check how guest data may lawfully be used with your lawyer.
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Selling
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Restaurants CanadaIndustryRestaurants Canada - The Voice of Foodservice
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentMajor pitfalls to avoid when negotiating a purchase agreement
- 04Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentUnderstanding post-merger operational integration
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