How the Gertrudhof significantly reduced no-shows and secured revenue

The Gertrudhof in Zurich struggled with frequent no-shows from international guests. By implementing foratable, the restaurant introduced a transparent credit card guarantee system, significantly reducing no-shows and reliably securing lost revenue.

Sascha Menzi

Managing Director

"We had no other choice" – how the Gertrudhof finally got a handle on no-shows

The signature dish at Gertrudhof: Cordon bleu

Initial situation: No-shows as a genuine business risk

The Gertrudhof in Zurich is famous for its cordon bleus and, with around 45 indoor seats, is always well-booked. However, this limited capacity made no-shows a serious problem.

International guests, in particular, were failing to show up for their reservations at an above-average rate—without canceling. The result: empty tables, lost revenue, and significant difficulties in planning for the kitchen and service staff.

Challenge: High no-show rate among international guests

“It’s just not right that we’re always left footing the bill,” says Managing Director Sascha Menzi.

Especially during peak times—such as weekends or before public holidays—there was an increasing number of reservations that simply weren't honored. Even a few missing guests have a noticeable impact on a restaurant of this size.

Gertrudhof opted for a consistent yet fair solution with foratable.

Solution: Clear rules with foratable

For reservations with international area codes, a credit card is now automatically required. Guests are informed of the terms transparently via confirmation emails, SMS, and reminders before their visit.

Implemented specifically with foratable:

Automatic credit card authorization for international numbers
Clear no-show fee (CHF 50 per person)
Easy online & phone cancellations
Automatic appointment reminders

The results speak for themselves:
Despite the occasional no-show, Gertrudhof no longer has to absorb the costs. Guests who don't show up pay the fee, allowing the business to plan reliably.

"Even though this measure isn't free for me as a restaurateur, the cost-benefit ratio is clearly right."

At the same time, awareness regarding no-shows has changed significantly: “Guest feedback on the no-show policy has been almost exclusively positive. Many are understanding, and we were able to record significantly fewer no-shows in 2025.”

Conclusion: Fair, transparent, and effective

At the same time, the restaurant remains almost fully booked throughout – and planning has improved significantly.

Despite these measures, Gertrudhof does not consider itself a fan of penalty fees.

“In principle, I’m against such rules – but I saw no other way out.”, says Menzi.

Anyone who cancels in time can do so with just a few clicks. The goal is not punishment, but reliability – for both guests and the restaurant.

Media report

Gertrudhof discusses its experience with no-shows in Blick

To the Blick article