Dick’s Last Resort sees $2M in revenue through Yelp Guest Manager

Dick’s Last Resort’s famously outrageous hospitality brings in diners from around the U.S.—and with Yelp Guest Manager, they keep the customer experience as fun as their food.

About

Dick’s Last Resort is the only restaurant where playful sarcasm is served alongside chicken, ribs, and crabs. Since opening in Dallas in 1985, the brand has expanded to 13 tourist-driven cities and is famous for its riotous energy, customized hats, and entertaining guest experiences.

Challenge

With long lines being a sign of success—and a headache—the teams at Dick’s Last Resort struggled to keep things moving. Before Yelp Guest Manager, the front-of-house staff relied on pen, paper, and literally shouting guest names, making waits seem even longer and adding chaos to already busy teams.

Solution

Dick’s Last Resort introduced Yelp Guest Manager to streamline the hosting experience, empower guests to join a waitlist from anywhere, and reduce staff errors. After a 2021 pilot in Panama City Beach, adoption was swift: “It made the job simple. We’re able to get guests seated quickly and more efficiently,” shares Sales Director Ali Swan.

Key features used:

• Digital waitlist with online and onsite kiosk joins
• Automated and custom guest messaging
• Real-time table management with iPads
• Easy remote or in-person onboarding for new locations and greeters

Results

• Guest experience: Diners loved the transparency and entertainment; they could see their place in line, roam the boardwalk, and return for their table—plus, there were fewer surprised faces when quoted wait times did run long.
• Revenue impact: In 2024 alone, more than $2 million in revenue came from diners joining Dick’s waitlist through Yelp. In Q2 2025, the Myrtle Beach location saw over $38,000 in revenue directly attributable to the tool.
• Staff efficiency: 20% of waitlist joins in 2023 came through the guest-facing kiosk, saving teams an estimated 258 hours of manual work—a major win for a restaurant where every extra minute counts.
• Table turns and operations: Turning more tables faster, with less confusion, means higher guest satisfaction and more opportunities to entertain.

What Dick’s Last Resort says

“We’re typically on a 40+ minute wait, but we convert 76% of those Yelp waitlist diners into paying guests. The process is easy, and guests appreciate being in the know.”

“Without Yelp Guest Manager, our greeter system would be chaotic. This lets us focus on guest experience, not busywork.”
— Ali Swan, Sales Director

Get the Dick’s Last Resort effect

Take the guest experience from “wait in the parking lot” to “walk the pier and get a text when it’s time to eat.” Learn how Yelp Guest Manager can simplify operations and drive more revenue for your restaurant.