NX Host: Host & Hostess Guide 🛎️✨

The NX Host system is your command center for the front of the house. Because it is built directly into NX Restaurant, you have a real-time connection between your guests at the door and the tables on the floor.

🖥️ The Host Screen Layout

The Host Screen is designed for high-speed navigation. It consists of three primary areas:

Party List (Left/Center): Your live feed of guests. Each entry is color-coded by status so you can see who is waiting, who has been notified, and who is already eating at a glance.
View Toggle (Top Right): Switch between the Timeline (best for planning reservations) and the Floor Plan (best for seating walk-ins).
Filters & Search: Use the top tabs to filter by status (e.g., Waiting vs. Seated) or the search bar to find a specific guest by name or phone number.

🚶 Adding a Walk-In to the Waitlist

When a guest arrives without a reservation:

Tap Add to Waitlist.
Identify the Guest: Enter their name and phone number. If they are a returning guest, their info will auto-populate from the NX Customer list.
Party Details: Enter the party size and any special requests (e.g., "Needs high chair").
VIP Status: Toggle the VIP switch if they deserve extra attention.
Save: Once saved, the system automatically assigns a Queue Position and calculates a Quoted Wait Time.

📅 Adding a Reservation

For guests booking for the future:

Tap Add Reservation.
Enter guest details and select the Date and Time.
Duration: The system suggests a duration based on party size (e.g., 2 people = 60 mins), but you can manually override this.
Table Pre-assignment: You can optionally "suggest" a specific table to block it out on the timeline.
Deposits: If your venue requires a deposit for large parties, the payment flow will trigger automatically.

🤖 How Wait Time Estimates Work

NX doesn't just guess; it uses an intelligent algorithm that updates every 60 seconds.

The system analyzes:

Live Table Data: How many tables are currently occupied and their "turn time" progress.
Queue Depth: How many parties of similar sizes are already waiting.
Venue History: Your restaurant's specific historical data for that day of the week and time of day.
Confidence Rating: You will see a HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW indicator. If confidence is low, consider adding a manual buffer.

📋 Managing the Queue: Common Tasks

Notifying a Guest (Table Ready)

When a table is being bussed, it's time to alert the guest:

Select the party from the list.
Tap Table Ready (or Notify).
The guest receives an automated SMS. Their status changes to Notified, and a response deadline countdown begins.

Seating a Party

Select a Waiting or Notified party and tap Seat.
The Table Picker appears. Available tables are highlighted; occupied or blocked tables are greyed out.
Select the table and tap Confirm.
Automatic Integration: A check is immediately opened in the POS under that table number, and a seating chit prints for the server.

Moving a Seated Party

If a guest wants to move to the patio after already being seated:

Select the Seated party and tap Move Table.
Pick the new table and confirm. NX automatically transfers the POS check to the new table.

🚦 Status Reference Guide

Color	Status	What It Means
Yellow	Pending	Awaiting manual confirmation (usually for online bookings).
Blue	Confirmed	The reservation is set and ready.
Orange	Waiting	The guest is physically at the venue waiting for a table.
Purple	Notified	We've sent the "Table Ready" text; guest is on their way to the stand.
Green	Seated	Guests are at the table; an active check is open in the POS.
Grey	Completed	The meal is over, and the check has been closed.
Red	Cancelled	The party was removed (e.g., they left the queue).

🛠️ Manager Configuration (Back Office)

Managers can fine-tune these settings in the NX Portal to control system behavior:

Max Party Size: Prevents the system from over-booking large groups without manager approval.
Duration Rules: Set "Turn Times" by party size (e.g., 1–4 guests = 75 min, 5+ guests = 120 min).
No-Show Grace Period: Defines how many minutes a reservation is held before the system flags them as a no-show.
Seating Chit Content: Toggle which guest data (like lifetime spend or allergies) prints out for the server.

💡 Quick Tasks Summary

Add Walk-in: Add to Waitlist → Name/Size → Save
Seat Guest: Select Party → Seat → Pick Table → Confirm
Move Table: Select Seated Party → Move Table → New Table → Confirm
Cancel: Select Party → Cancel → Reason → Confirm