Can I use SMS instead of email?

Yes — swap the Gmail reminder node for a Twilio SMS node (requires A2P 10DLC registration for US numbers).

Does this connect to my POS reservation system?

If your POS/reservation system exposes a webhook, point it at the same URL; otherwise use a simple form as the front door.

Restaurant & F&BStructurally Validated

Restaurant Reservation Reminder

Every reservation gets logged and confirmed instantly, and an hourly check sends a reminder email to guests 1-3 hours before their table time — cutting no-shows without a host manually calling anyone.

Automation flow

Step 1

Reservation Webhook

Captures the booking.

Step 2

Add to Reservations Sheet

Logs the reservation.

Step 3

Confirmation Email

Instant booking confirmation.

Step 4

Hourly Reminder Check

Scans for reservations 1-3 hours out.

Step 5

Reminder Email

Sends a reminder and marks it sent.

How it works

1A guest books a table; the reservation is logged and confirmed instantly.
2Every hour, the sheet is scanned for reservations happening in the next 1-3 hours that haven't been reminded yet.
3Those guests get a reminder email, and the row is marked so they aren't reminded twice.

Services used

Webhook / reservation formGoogle SheetsGmail

What you'll need

An n8n Cloud or self-hosted account
A Google account (Sheets)

What's included

No-code setup in 15 minutes
Cuts no-shows with timely reminders
Works with any form/booking widget via webhook
Pairs with the Post-Dine Review Request template

Estimate what this could save you

Times per week

Minutes each time

Your hourly value ($)

3.6 hours/month

≈ $108/month in your time

A rough estimate based on what you enter above — not a guarantee. Actual time saved depends on your process.

Make it yours

Swap the reminder email for SMS via Twilio for higher visibility (requires A2P 10DLC for US numbers).
Add a cancellation/reply link so guests can easily cancel if plans change, freeing up the table sooner.
Add a large-party flag (Party Size > 6) that also alerts the host stand on Slack to prep seating.

Works well with this automation

Catering Inquiry Router

Catering inquiries are logged, routed to sales on Slack, and auto-replied to with your menu.

$15

Low-Stock Inventory Alert

Daily scan flags anything at or below its reorder threshold — Slack alert plus a manager email.

$15

Post-Dine Review Request

A few hours after a reservation, automatically ask the guest for a review while the visit is fresh.

$15

Save with the complete system: Real Estate, Hospitality & Events Bundle

Instead of buying separately: $177 — System: $79

View system

Questions about this template

$15one-time

Secure checkout via Polar. Delivered by email instantly.

Structurally validated: automatically checked for valid n8n format before every deploy.

Difficulty: Easy
Setup time: ~15 min
Integrations: 3
Node count: 10
Format: .json + guide