What do they Call Buzzers in a Restaurant?
posted on: October 22nd, 2024
There are a number of types of buzzer used in restaurants, and the numbers increased dramatically since around 1990. Visit any restaurant and you will see them in use even today. But when it comes to buzzer names, often the type of buzzer becomes relevant as to its slang name used by many. Below are examples of buzzers, their uses, and the slang or street name given to them.
Buzzers for Customers or Guests: This type of buzzer has been around since the early 90's and while they are called 'buzzers' other names have appeared. And with new innovations there are some new names that you might hear. Some of the alternative names include:
- Customer pager
- Coaster pager
- Guest pager
- Coaster Call
- Customer buzzer
- Beeper
- Bleeper
- Patient pager
- Traffic light pager
As you see, some of those alternative names are created from the use of the buzzer - like 'patient pager' as a good example. Other names reflect what the buzzer looks like - as in the case of a coaster pager. The 'traffic light pager' actually can operate as a red, amber and green' system for customers that is one of the newest innovations in buzzers for customers.
Buzzers for Staff or Waiters: Buzzers used for staff or waiters usually fall in to two categories - either 'POCSAG' or text pagers, or simply 'buzzers' that are robust and don't receive text messages. Again, the 'street' or 'slang' names often reflect the use or features as follows:
- Alphanumeric pager
- Alpha pager
- Text pager
- Message pager
- Bleeper
- Beeper
- Waiter pager
- Staff buzzer
And as you can imagine, there are so many more names allocated to buzzers, but they are all STILL buzzers designed for complete restaurant paging systems and perfect for restaurant use..
Buzzers used for any of the customer or staff use are commonplace and usually improve the quality of service in the establishments where they are used.
Other articles include:
How does a buzzer work in a restaurant?
Best Restaurant Pager for 2024? (updated in 2026)
These articles created by A B McKenzie, MD of LRS UK. Anthony has hospitality sector experience of over 24 years and review experience with a number of other vertical sector products. (c) LRS UK 2024.