First Table fills your quiet tables with keen diners. Upsel makes sure your team turns every cover into a revenue opportunity. Together, it's a flywheel.
Getting diners through the door is only half the battle. What happens next is where restaurants win or lose.
That’s exactly why we’re excited to announce our partnership with First Table, one of Australasia’s most loved restaurant discovery platforms. Together, we’re giving restaurant owners a powerful combination: more guests at the table, and more revenue from every cover.
Two platforms, one goal: thriving restaurants
At first glance, Upsel and First Table might look like they operate in completely different spaces. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see they solve two halves of the same problem.
First Table helps restaurants fill seats during off-peak hours by offering diners 50% off the food bill when they book the first (or last) table of the day. With over 4,400 partner restaurants across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, and more than 3.6 million diners on the platform, First Table has mastered the art of getting people through the door - turning otherwise empty tables into buzzing, revenue-generating covers.
Upsel picks up where the booking ends. Our AI-powered platform connects directly to your POS system and transforms raw sales data into personalised, real-time coaching for every staff member. From upselling appetisers and premium drinks to delivering daily micro-challenges that build confidence and skill - Upsel makes sure every guest who walks in has the best possible experience, and that your team captures every revenue opportunity.
Why this partnership makes perfect sense
Think about it: First Table brings a steady stream of new, engaged diners into your restaurant. These guests are already excited - they’re food lovers who actively seek out great dining experiences. The question is: are your staff ready to make the most of that opportunity?
That’s where Upsel steps in.
With Upsel’s adaptive AI coaching delivered straight to your team’s phones, your staff are equipped with the skills and confidence to:
- Upsell naturally - suggesting premium drinks, appetisers, and desserts in a way that enhances the dining experience, not cheapens it
- Perform at their best from the first cover - real-time performance tracking means your team knows exactly where they stand, every shift
- Stay motivated and engaged - gamified leaderboards and daily challenges keep energy high, even during traditionally quieter service periods
The result? First Table diners don’t just enjoy a great meal at a great price - they leave having spent more per head, tried more of your menu, and had a better overall experience. That’s a win for the guest, a win for your staff, and a massive win for your bottom line.
The numbers speak for themselves
Restaurants using Upsel alongside smart booking strategies have seen:
- Up to 30% increase in overall revenue
- 20-30% higher per-head spend
- Up to 85% staff engagement through gamified coaching
- Up to 80% reduction in manager training time
- 4-8% decrease in wage costs through smarter rostering and performance insights
When you pair these results with First Table’s ability to fill your quietest periods with keen diners, the compounding effect is significant. You’re no longer just filling empty tables - you’re turning every table into a high-performance revenue opportunity.
How it works together
- List your restaurant on First Table to start attracting diners during off-peak hours - no contracts, no fees for restaurants, full control over your availability.
- Connect Upsel to your POS and let the platform automatically track sales, deliver personalised coaching, and surface insights - with minimal effort from you or your managers.
- Watch the flywheel spin - more diners through the door, better-trained staff to serve them, higher spend per guest, and happier teams.
Built by restaurant people, for restaurant people
What makes this partnership feel so natural is that both First Table and Upsel were born out of the hospitality industry. We understand the margins, the challenges, and the relentless pace of running a restaurant. Neither platform asks you to overhaul your operations - they slot into your existing workflow and start delivering value from day one.
First Table has been championing restaurants since 2014, helping venues fill otherwise empty tables and reach new audiences. Upsel has been purpose-built to solve the performance and coaching challenges that keep restaurant owners up at night.
Together, we’re offering restaurant owners a complete picture: attract guests, elevate service, and grow revenue - all with the help of smart technology that works for you, not the other way around.
Ready to get started?
If you’re already on First Table, adding Upsel to your toolkit is the logical next step. And if you’re not yet on either platform, there’s never been a better time to start.
- Learn more about Upsel: upsel.ai
- Book a demo with Billy: Book here
- Explore First Table for restaurateurs: firsttable.co.nz
Got questions? Drop us a line at info@upsel.ai - we’d love to chat.