Layouts

The Layouts tab allows you to define the minimum and maximum number of covers allowed for each table, and reserve tables for walk-in customers. You will also be able to define table areas, as well as their priority.

Layouts represent the physical arrangement of tables and seating in your venue. You can create multiple layouts to account for different configurations, e.g. default layout for regular operations, special layouts for weekends, holidays, or events.

Table Layouts are combined with Turn Times into a Table Plan, which will be assigned to your all day or session-based timeslots. This functionality allows you to quickly and easily change plans for different sessions (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...) or for special days. You can find out more about Table Plans here: Plans.

Navigate to Events Admin → Manage Sites → Layouts

Configuring a Layout

When accessing the Layouts tab, a Default Layout will display. We recommend that on your initial layout configuration, you use this template and re-name if required. For any subsequent layouts, you can create a copy of the original and edit as required. 

To configure your layouts, follow the below steps:

Locate your Layout Name e.g., Default Layout, and select Edit

Your layout will open, similar to that shown below:

You will be able to view a number of configurable options on the Tables tab, and on the Table Joins tab

Tables

Configurable Fields for Tables	Details
Min Covers	The smallest number of guests that can be seated at the table. This helps ensure tables aren’t used inefficiently (e.g., a 6-person table being booked for 1 person)
Max Covers	The largest number of guests that can be seated at the table. This ensures the table isn’t overbooked beyond its capacity
Unavailable for Auto-assign	Prevents the system from automatically assigning this table when a booking is made online. This is useful for tables that are held for walk-ins, VIPs, or manual assignment only
Seating Priority	Gives this table a higher preference when the system is choosing tables to assign automatically. Useful for showcasing premium tables (e.g., with a view, in a quiet area)
Areas	Labels used to group or identify tables by location or type, such as “Terrace”, or “Bar Area”. These tags can be used to direct bookings to specific areas or for reporting purposes (it's worth noting that this feature requires area names being configured - Click here to find out more about configuring areas

Table Joins

Configurable Fields for Table Joins	Details
Name	Give your join a name. Each name needs to be unique. When naming table setups (joins), the format that our Setups team typically follow is as follows: [Lowest Table Number] / [Minimum Covers] – [Maximum Covers]
Min Covers	The smallest number of guests that can be seated at the table joins. This helps ensure table joins aren’t used inefficiently (e.g., a 6-person table being booked for 1 person)
Max Covers	The largest number of guests that can be seated at the table joins. This ensures the table join isn’t overbooked beyond its capacity
Joined Table Numbers (e.g., 1+2+3)	When joining tables, the join must accurately reflect the table numbers being combined. To do this, enter the table numbers using a plus sign (+) with no spaces between them
Seating Priority	Gives this table a higher preference when the system is choosing tables to assign automatically. Useful for showcasing premium tables (e.g., with a view, in a quiet area)
Areas	Labels used to group or identify tables by location or type, such as “Terrace”, or “Bar Area”. These tags can be used to direct bookings to specific areas or for reporting purposes (it's worth noting that this feature requires area names being configured - Click here to find out more about configuring areas
Actions	The ability to delete the join

Click Save Changes

Creating a New Layout

When creating a layout, there are two ways to do this:

Create a new layout
Copying an existing layout

Zonal recommends that when creating a layout, you use the copy function. We find that users are generally tweaking an existing set up rather than creating from a new. 

Follow these steps to create a new layout:

Select Add New Layout
Go down the list of Table Numbers and define the Min Covers for each table
Define the Max Covers for each table
Select if any tables are Unavailable for Auto-assign
Define the Seating Priority (if enabled)
Assign Areas (If areas are created)
Select the Table Joins tab and create any required joins.
Click Save Changes

Copying a Layout

Follow these steps to copy a layout:

Select from the Actions column to Copy the required layout
A pop-up message will show asking "Are you sure you wish to copy this layout?". Select as required

Once you select Yes, a confirmation message will appear: "Table layout was successfully copied"

The copied layout will then appear in your list, prefixed with "Copy of..." to indicate it's a duplicate of the original
Select Edit
Go down the list of Table Numbers and edit as required the Min Covers for each table
Edit if needed the Max Covers for each table
Select if any tables are Unavailable for Auto-assign
Edit if needed the Seating Priority (if enabled)
Assign Areas (If areas are created)
Select the Table Joins tab and edit if needed any required joins.
Click Save Changes