WhyWaittheapp.com

This is a "locally grown" app for smartphones that will help you with wait times as well as directions etc.
Several restaurants have already signed up and at 49.95 a month(I believe that's what I read) it sounds like a great deal for restaurateurs. Free to the public. Free 30 day trial for restaurants. Looks great but haven't tried it. Just discovered.

It'll be interesting to see how well this takes off me. I'd definitely use it if it actually shows real wait times when we haven't made a reservation. ( loved an app like this when we used it at Disney) But to do this accurately I'd think the restaurant would have to DO something to constantly adjust the times- and I'm not sure folks have time to do that.
Anybody know how it works?
Deb

It'll be interesting to see how well this takes off me. I'd definitely use it if it actually shows real wait times when we haven't made a reservation. ( loved an app like this when we used it at Disney) But to do this accurately I'd think the restaurant would have to DO something to constantly adjust the times- and I'm not sure folks have time to do that.
Anybody know how it works?
Deb

Satellites?

Interesting concept and I'm sure distributing the information is very easy. The hardest problem to solve will be insuring that the restaurants continuously update their wait times so they are current, otherwise the system will be useless.

It only makes sense that this data would have to be constantly updated by the host(ess) staff. Unfortunately most of them can't walk and chew gum at the same time.

Anybody know how it works?
Deb

It works with a series of tubes and wires that was invented by Al Gore, right before he started warming.

Anybody know how it works?
Deb

It works with a series of tubes and wires that was invented by Al Gore, right before he started warming.

To Mark's point, I can't think of a way it could actually "know" wait times without a hostess getting involved. In Disney, it's hooked up and attendants give people in-line a pager type device, when you come out the other end it automatically adjusts the wait time in computers. Pretty cool.

Deb

Anybody know how it works?
Deb

It works with a series of tubes and wires that was invented by Al Gore, right before he started warming.

To Mark's point, I can't think of a way it could actually "know" wait times without a hostess getting involved. In Disney, it's hooked up and attendants give people in-line a pager type device, when you come out the other end it automatically adjusts the wait time in computers. Pretty cool.

Deb

Deb you are a foodie and a Disney person!the technology with the red tags is fascinating if not perfect. I'm still convinced Disney inflates the times especially closer to closing time. Sorry for the hijack!

Kris,

It may not be perfect, but we loved being able to use Disney's app and one other ( I've forgotten name) to decide where we wanted to go next and whether it was worth the walk all the way across a Park. Same thing at Universal.

I'd honestly do the same on a random night if i was trying to see who might be able to accomodate us on short notice. I'll easily drive 10-15 minutes to avoid a long wait with child or if I"m hungry . A place I might be not think of due to historically long waits ( did you hear me Blind Pig/ Havana Rumba?) would move to the top of my list if I had a quick way to know that they had availability. But if the numbers aren't close to accurate, it serves no purpose.

And no- I'm not signing up for "push" notifications for every restaurant participating to "notify" me of sudden availability ( part of what they are trying to sell owners on)..

It works with a series of tubes and wires that was invented by Al Gore, right before he started warming.

Now this is funny!

Hey guys, I am one of the founders of WhyWait, we are located in downtown Louisville and love the restaurant scene. I wanted to clear some things up about WhyWait.

It started out as a wait time app that allowed restaurants to update a wait time through a tablet, phone, or other PC device but we NO LONGER do wait times. Too much strain on restaurants and dependability issues.

It is a restaurant controlled app where restaurants can log in to whywaittheapp.com and post pictures, deals, events, happy hours, etc. They do not have to rely on users posting this content for them.

We are the first app to allow restaurants to send push notifications to people that favorite their restaurant. So if a restaurant is having a slow Friday night, they can push out "1/2 price appetizers tonight" to people who have them as a favorite to draw in customers.

Only the restaurants that you favorite can send you push notifications, so you get to choose the info you want to receive.

Download it and check it out
www.whywaittheapp.com/download

Jon,

Thanks for clarifying! ( and welcome to the Forum )

Deb

Thanks Deb, we just relocated the business here earlier this year. We are big time foodies and I really like this site.

I am trying to eat at every independent restaurant in Louisville, I think it might take me a while

[Robin Garr]

I am trying to eat at every independent restaurant in Louisville, I think it might take me a while

I've been trying to do that since I started writing about wine and food professionally (for the old Louisville Times) in 1982. You can't do it. They come in faster than you can keep up. All you can do is keep trying. And watch portions and get plenty of exercise.

Haha thanks Robin. My big challenge is I will find a place that I like and will return to that place to try another dish instead of going somewhere new.