How many calls should you make before marking a guest as NS on the waitlist?

Marking a guest as "No Show" (NS) on the waitlist after multiple attempts to reach them reflects the restaurant's commitment to providing timely service while managing the flow of guests effectively. By calling a guest three times, the hostess ensures that they have made a reasonable effort to contact the guest and give them the opportunity to arrive before concluding that they are not coming.

The rationale behind this approach includes consideration of potential situations where a guest may be delayed but still intends to dine at the restaurant. Making three calls offers a balance between allowing for unforeseen delays and not holding up the table for too long. Additionally, this practice helps maintain an accurate waitlist, enabling other guests waiting for a table to be seated promptly, thus enhancing overall dining efficiency. Therefore, three attempts strike an appropriate balance for hospitality service standards.