Define the concept of "table turnover rate."

The concept of "table turnover rate" pertains to the frequency at which a dining table at a restaurant is occupied by different customers over a specified time frame. This metric is crucial for understanding the efficiency of service and capacity management within a restaurant environment. A high table turnover rate indicates that a restaurant can serve more customers, thereby increasing revenue potential without necessarily expanding physical space or staff.

By measuring how many parties utilize a table within a designated period, managers can assess their operational effectiveness, optimize seating arrangements, and streamline service workflows. This can directly impact profitability since a well-managed turnover can lead to higher sales and better resource utilization.

The other choices relate to different aspects of restaurant management but do not encapsulate the specific nature of table turnover. The time taken for customers to finish their meals is a related factor but doesn’t address the concept of turnover directly. The average bill amount per table focuses on revenue rather than usage frequency. Lastly, the occupancy rate of the restaurant per night addresses overall capacity utilization without distinguishing between unique, returning customers at each table. Thus, the understanding of table turnover rate centers on the pace of customer service and table usage within the restaurant.