Patent ID: 8825529

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to: generate a schedule for a reservation system that comprises: a plurality of actual time table slots, in which each actual time table slot corresponds to a reservation time for a dine-in service at a restaurant; and a plurality of virtual time table slots, in which each virtual time table slot corresponds to a reservation time for one of: a take-out service and a delivery service of a consumable good; generate, based on a ratio of actual time table slots to virtual time table slots, a quantity of actual time table slots and a quantity of virtual time table slots for a specified time of day, in which an operator of the reservation system has an ability to change the ratio based on an anticipated number of customers at a time of day; receive a bid for a virtual time table slot at the specified time of day, in which the bid comprises a bid amount and in which the virtual time table slot is for a delivery service; compute, based on the quantity of virtual time table slots available at the bid's specified time of day, that the restaurant is able to process the virtual time table slot for the delivery service at the bid's specified time of day; transmit an indication that the virtual time table slot for the delivery service has been awarded to a bidder of the bid.