How EnRoute works

The simplest setup: a text, an email and your yes.

There are many ways to run EnRoute, from a tablet at the host stand to nothing but your phone. Frank Lozito at Celebration Brewing Company chose the simplest. Every group request reaches him as a text and an email, and he approves it from wherever he is. Follow one party of 8 through his setup, then see the extra steps a restaurant with a tablet at the door gets.

Read Frank’s story: the brewery that didn’t want a tablet →

Celebration Brewing Co.

Party of 8

Friday, 3:00 PM

7 steps, plus 3 with a tablet

One system, many setups

EnRoute fits the way you already run your place.

Turn on only what you need. Every setup starts the same way: guests find you, see your rules and send a request. What happens after that is up to you.

Shown on this page

Text and email only

Requests reach your phone. Approve or decline from anywhere, and add approved groups to your calendar. No new hardware. This is how Celebration Brewing runs it.

Custom questions on the request

Ask what you need to decide: seating area, table type, how firm the plans are, or anything else, in your own words. Guests agree to your key policies before they send.

Day-of confirmation texts

Before they leave, guests confirm they’re still coming and adjust their arrival time, so you know who’s actually on the way.

A tablet at the door

Your host sees approved groups and today’s walk-ins on one screen, with real arrival times instead of guesses.

Private event requests

Buyouts and bigger parties get their own request form, with your own rules and notice period.

The EnRoute Voice Assistant

An automated phone menu for your business line. Callers pick an option and get a text with the right link, such as your group request page, instead of leaving a voicemail.

Frank’s setup · seven steps

What your guest sees, and what you get, at every step.

Step 1 · Before they ask

They find you.

Your guest

Searches Google for “restaurants near me good for groups,” or for Celebration Brewing Company by name, and sees a “Find a table” link right on the listing.

You

The link on your Google listing opens your EnRoute page, so groups can check your options before they call.

Look for

“Find a table” · enroute.co

Celebration Brewing Company's Google listing, with a Find a table link to enroute.co

Celebration Brewing's group cards: Coming With a Party of 8 to 20, and Host a Group Event

Step 2 · Before they ask

They see what you offer.

Your guest

Sees which group sizes you take online, how much notice you need and when requests aren’t available.

You

Your rules, in your words. Bigger events get their own request, and anything short-notice goes to the phone.

Look for

“Celebration Brewing does not accept reservations or hold tables.”

Step 3 · Before they ask

They know the rules upfront.

Your guest

Reads your rules before filling in the form: 8 to 20 guests, 24 hours’ notice to cancel, no outside food except a cake, and that this is not a reservation.

You

Your rules, stated once and in your words, so there are fewer surprises at the door and fewer calls asking what’s allowed.

Look for

“This is not a reservation. We’ll text you a confirmation after verifying availability.”

Celebration Brewing’s What You Should Know card: capacity 8 to 20, seating, 24-hour cancellation, decorations, outside food, and “This is not a reservation”

Celebration Brewing’s request form: Seating Area, Table Type, What setup works for your group, special requests, and the policy checkbox

Step 4 · The request

They tell you what they need.

Your guest

Picks inside or patio, high top or low top, and whether the group needs to sit all together or can be flexible. Then ticks the box agreeing to your policies and sends the request.

You

Custom fields you choose and word yourself. Frank asks about seating area, table type and setup, and uses the answers to decide whether he can take the group. Other venues ask different questions. The checkbox makes every guest agree to your most important policies before the request goes out.

Look for

“More flexible setups may provide more availability.”

Step 5 · After the request

A text and an email, with everything you need.

Your guest

Waits for your answer. Nothing has been promised yet.

You

Every request lands on your phone with the party size, date and time, the answers to your questions, any special request and the organizer’s contact details. One tap adds it to your calendar.

Look for

“A new booking has been requested for Celebration Brewing Company”

Frank’s approval screen on his phone: party of 8, Approve Request ticked, Save

Decline request dialog with an editable message to the guest

Step 6 · After the request

You approve, or politely decline, from your phone.

Your guest

Gets your answer by text either way.

You

Check the party size, tick Approve and save. Can’t take the group? Choose Decline and EnRoute sends a polite message you can edit before it goes out.

Look for

“Your request for 10/16/2026 at 3:00 PM is not available. Please consider us for a future visit.”

Step 7 · After the request

They get it in writing.

Your guest

Gets a confirmation with the party size, date and time, plus a button to add it to their calendar.

You

The group is on your calendar, and the guest has your answer in writing: a request you approved, not a table you’re holding.

Look for

“There may be a short wait after you arrive.”

Request Approved confirmation for a party of 8 at Celebration Brewing Co.

Add a tablet at the door

Three more steps for restaurants that want to see who’s on the way.

Frank doesn’t use these. Put a tablet at the host stand and EnRoute adds a day-of confirmation text, the group’s real arrival time, and an arrival list that sits next to your walk-ins.

Step 8 · On the day