The verdict in three sentences
A reservation system with a mobile money deposit directly attacks a restaurant's costliest problem: the no-show, which leaves already-counted tables empty. The budget runs from 600,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a 2-6 week timeline, and the deposit cuts no-shows by roughly 40%. Every table saved is revenue recovered directly.
The features that matter
Effective reservation is more than a form. It manages covers, collects an anti no-show deposit and automatically follows up with the customer. Here is the scope by tier, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Feature | Essential | Full multi-location |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar + cover management | Included | Included |
| Wave / Orange Money deposit | Included | Included |
| SMS / WhatsApp reminders | Included | Included |
| Waitlist | No | Included |
| Integration with existing site | Included | Included |
| Multi-location management | No | Included |
| Occupancy statistics | Basic | Advanced |
| Price | 600,000 – 1,200,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Timeline | 2 – 4 weeks | 4 – 6 weeks |
The deposit is the decisive building block: without financial commitment, no-shows stay high.
The deposit's impact on no-shows
A no-show costs a whole table, often at the most profitable hours. Here is the typical effect of a deposit, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Metric | No deposit | With mobile money deposit |
|---|---|---|
| No-show rate | 20 – 30% | 10 – 15% |
| Relative reduction | — | ~40% |
| Typical deposit amount | 0 FCFA | 3,000 – 5,000 FCFA/cover |
| Table of 4 saved (bill) | Lost | 24,000 FCFA recovered |
| SMS/WhatsApp reminder | No | Automatic |
| Staff effort | Manual | Automated |
A moderate deposit is enough to make the customer accountable without discouraging booking.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Aminata runs a restaurant in Dakar with 40 covers/evening and a no-show rate of 25%, i.e. 10 covers lost/evening. Average bill 12,000 FCFA/cover, so 120,000 FCFA lost/evening. By moving to a deposit system that brings no-shows down to 15%, she recovers ~4 covers/evening, i.e. 48,000 FCFA/evening × 26 days = 1,248,000 FCFA/month. A solution at 1,200,000 FCFA is paid back in under a month.
FAQ
How much does a reservation app cost? Count on 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA for the essential version (calendar, deposit, reminders) and 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a multi-location version with waitlist and advanced statistics.
How long to deliver? Between 2 and 4 weeks for the essential version, 4 to 6 weeks for a multi-location solution integrated with your site.
Does the deposit really cut no-shows? Yes, financial commitment drops the no-show rate by roughly 40% in relative terms (e.g. from 25% to 15%), because the customer has a concrete reason to honor or cancel in time.
What happens if the customer cancels? You set the policy: deposit refundable up to X hours before, then retained. The deposit can also be deducted from the bill on arrival, making it painless for the serious customer.
Can it integrate with an existing site? Yes, the reservation module plugs into your current site and social pages via a simple button, without rebuilding everything.
Let's talk about your project. We will assess your no-show rate and price the reservation system that will bring it down. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
