Message received; your table is ready

A new mobile service is allowing customers in restaurants to be notified via text message when their table is ready.

ReadyPing is attempting to improve on the restaurant pager system, which are handed out to customers while waiting for tables. But while the pager system requires restaurants to fork out investment and maintenance fees, ReadyPing just requires a computer and internet connection.

Restaurant hosts must enter a customer’s name, number of guests and a contact mobile number. When the table is available, the host just clicks a button and a “ping” is sent to that customer.

The service costs $US35 a month, and includes an unlimited number of “pings” sent to customers. The business follows a similar idea from sandwich chain Subway that lets customers place an order via text messaging.