How quickly should a restaurant reply to a Google review?

BrightLocal's 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey found 32% of consumers expect a reply within one day and 81% within a week, with 19% expecting a same-day response. REPLYfairy drafts and posts routine replies within minutes of a review appearing.

What happens if someone claims they got food poisoning in a review?

It is flagged and held. REPLYfairy never auto-posts a review mentioning illness, allergens or hygiene, whatever the star rating. You get the draft with an explanation of the flag so you can respond carefully or route it to your insurer first.

Should a restaurant reply to negative Google reviews at all?

Yes. BrightLocal found 42% of consumers would avoid a business that never responds to feedback, and generic or templated replies put off 50%. A specific, human-sounding reply to a negative review is what converts a browsing diner.

How much does REPLYfairy cost for a restaurant?

From GBP 39 per month per site. Groups pay GBP 39 for the first site plus GBP 29 per month for each additional restaurant, with combined and per-site reporting.

For restaurants & cafés

Answer every review fast — and never auto-post the ones that need a real look

A busy kitchen doesn’t have time to sit and reply to reviews between services. REPLYfairy handles the routine ones and puts the serious ones in front of you (with a drafted reply, for you to approve/edit).

What we specifically watch for

Always flagged, never auto-posted

Anything mentioning food safety, allergic reactions, a foreign object in food, food poisoning claims, or hygiene and health-inspection concerns gets automatically flagged for your review — never auto-posted, no matter your general settings.

Examples

What drafts actually look like
and how each one gets handled

Auto-approved

Review

★★★★★

"Best Sunday roast in the area, hands down. Staff remembered our usual order too."

Drafted reply

Thank you so much — that really made our day! Looking forward to seeing you again for your next Sunday roast.

Clearly positive, no risk factors, within your auto-approve threshold.

Sent for approval — below threshold

Review

★★★☆☆

"Service was really slow tonight — waited 40 minutes for our order to be taken."

Drafted reply

Sorry the wait took the shine off the evening — that's a fair complaint. We'd love another chance to get the pacing right.

Flagged because: rating below your threshold.

Sent for approval — safety flag

Review

★★★☆☆

"Ordered the dish we were told was nut-free and my daughter had a reaction shortly after."

Drafted reply

[Drafted, held for your review — an allergy-related safety claim is never auto-posted, at any rating.]

Flagged because: allergic reaction claim — escalated immediately regardless of rating.

Dental & Medical Restaurants & Cafés Hotels Salons & Beauty Retail

See what REPLYfairy would draft for your actual recent reviews

Book a Free Demo

Answer every review fast — and never auto-post the ones that need a real look

What we specifically watch for

What drafts actually look like
and how each one gets handled

See what REPLYfairy would draft for your actual recent reviews

Industries Served

Links

Answer every review fast — and never auto-post the ones that need a real look

What we specifically watch for

What drafts actually look like and how each one gets handled

See what REPLYfairy would draft for your actual recent reviews

Industries Served

Links

What drafts actually look like
and how each one gets handled