More than half of Gen Z diners admit to booking restaurant tables and not showing up
A new study has revealed that more than half of Gen Z diners have failed to turn up for a restaurant booking, and it's costing the hospitality industry more than you might think.
We've all been there.
You've booked a table at a restaurant, but when the day rolls around, you're no longer in the mood to go.
Maybe you've made other plans, found somewhere better to eat or simply can't be bothered leaving the house.
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Whatever the reason, cancelling your reservation is usually just a matter of a few taps on your phone or a quick call away.
New findings show that a surprising number of young Brits are skipping that part altogether.
According to new research from restaurant booking platform OpenTable, 57 percent of Gen Z diners who made a restaurant reservation in the past year admitted to not showing up at least once.
That's more than half of young diners leaving restaurants with empty tables, potentially costing businesses hundreds of pounds in lost revenue.
The findings come from OpenTable's newly released 2026 Restaurant Impact Report, which explores the role restaurants play in local communities and the financial pressures facing the hospitality industry.
While forgetting to cancel a dinner reservation might not seem like a particularly big deal, the figures suggest otherwise.
According to restaurant workers surveyed for the report, a no-show for a table of two costs businesses an average of £55.70 in lost revenue.
It's not just the money from the missed meal, either.
Some 60 percent of restaurant workers said no-shows had resulted in them turning away other customers who wanted to book, while 48 percent reported food and stock going to waste.
Essentially, that empty table could have been filled by someone else, while the restaurant may already have prepared for customers who never arrived.
What's particularly interesting is that 83 percent of diners already recognise that failing to honour a reservation can damage a restaurant's business.
Despite this, no-shows remain a problem.
However, there could be a relatively simple way to encourage people to think twice before abandoning their bookings.
Almost half of diners surveyed (48 percent) said understanding the financial impact of a no-show would make them more likely to either honour their reservation or cancel it properly.
However, it's not all bad news for restaurants, with OpenTable reporting that overall UK no-show rates have actually fallen by 6 percent compared with the previous year.
The report also highlighted just how much restaurants contribute to the areas around them.
More than half of UK diners (56 percent) said they spent money at other businesses before or after their most recent local meal out.
Among those who did, the average additional spend was £95.20, rising to £126 for Gen Z and £118 for Millennials.
So, a night out for dinner doesn't necessarily only benefit the restaurant you're eating at.
It could also mean money spent in nearby pubs, shops or other local businesses.
Restaurants also appear to play an important role in people's wellbeing.
The research found that 71 percent of Gen Z diners would be likely to book a meal out to feel better or reconnect with others when feeling stressed or low.
Sasha Shaker, Senior Director of Restaurant Sales and Service at OpenTable UK and Ireland, said: "Restaurants are so much more than places to eat, they create jobs, bring people together and play an important role in the life of communities across the UK."
Meanwhile, restaurant critic Andy Hayler offered some straightforward advice for anyone making dinner plans.
"Turn up on time, be kind to the people looking after you and don't book several restaurants for the same night when you only plan to eat at one," he said.
"It really can be as simple as that."
Topics: Restaurants and bars, UK Food, News
Jen Thomas