Pittsbirgh startup NoWait has created a service for restaurants that don't take reservations but do want to take the frustration out of waiting for a table. NoWait allows eateries to replace pagers and paper lists with software for tablet-computers that manages wait lists and notifies guests of seating availability via text message.
A graduate of Innovation Works' AlphaLab accelerator program in 2010, NoWait recently rolled out its first consumer product, an iOS app that shows a list of nearby restaurants, wait times and distances, and lets diners join the wait list from their phone. NoWait recently moved into a new expanded location in the Oakland neighborhood to accommodate its growing staff. The company has seated more than 27 million diners through its mobile restaurant management service.
Innovations such as NoWait are a sign of Pittsburgh's reinvention — from steel city to tech city. Even Pittsburgh's new mayor is taking notice of NoWait's ascendence.
“NoWait is an excellent example of an innovative tech leader in our city,” says Mayor Bill Peduto. “Their use of technology to help diners make the best use of their time [has been] greatly expanded with the launch of their consumer app, allowing diners to virtually put themselves on a restaurant wait list. I'm proud to say Pittsburgh is the first city to have this technological option for diners.”
To read more about the company's growth, check out this joint release from NoWait and Mayor Peduto.