Why Restaurants Should Always Own Their Guest Data
At the recent Hospitality Tech Expo, I had dozens of conversations with restaurant owners and managers. One topic kept coming up — and it genuinely shocked me.
I always assumed that when a diner books through a reservation platform, the restaurant automatically gets full access to their details. But it turns out that’s not always the case. Some platforms limit how much guest data restaurants can see, or make it difficult to use.
For many owners, this was a daily frustration. For me, it was a real eye-opener. I hadn’t realised guest data was being locked away like this.
The Problem: Reservation Platforms Locking Away Data
Some of the biggest booking platforms control guest contact details, restricting what restaurants can access. In some cases, they even use that data to market other restaurants.
The result? Restaurants serve the guest, but don’t get the chance to build a lasting relationship with them. It creates dependence on the platform and takes away one of the most valuable assets a restaurant has: knowledge of its own guests.
Why Guest Data Is Essential for Restaurant Growth
Having access to guest data isn’t just an operational detail — it’s a growth driver. It allows restaurants to:
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Build Loyalty: Keep in touch with past diners through offers, updates, and personal touches.
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Market Smarter: Understand customer behaviour and run targeted campaigns that work.
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Spot Trends: Identify regulars, peak times, and preferences to improve service.
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Grow Independently: Reduce reliance on third parties and strengthen direct guest relationships.
Without it, restaurants are left flying blind. They host the guest once but miss the opportunity to turn them into a regular.
How Make a Rezzy Puts You Back in Control
This was the surprising part for me: what so many restaurants see as a pain point is something Make a Rezzy already solves.
From day one, we’ve worked with a simple principle: your guests are your guests.
That means:
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Full Access: Every booking includes full guest details.
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No Restrictions: Download, export, and use your data however you choose.
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Privacy First: We’ll never sell or withhold your customer data.
And just as importantly, all features are included for free. Deposits to reduce no-shows, branded booking widgets, guest insights, and full data access — all at one fair price of £1 per cover, with no subscriptions or hidden fees.
The Fairer Future of Restaurant Reservations
The conversations at the expo made me realise just how important this is. Restaurants should never be locked out of their own guest data.
At Make a Rezzy, we’re building a fairer system: affordable pricing, all features included, and guest data that always belongs to the restaurant.
Because when restaurants grow, we grow too.
Your covers, your revenue, your guests. Always.
Want to take back ownership of your guest data? Sign up with Make a Rezzy today