In the Waiting Line for your favourite restaurant? Donate to Charity and get bumped to the front

So the wait is over. Like literally. Yes, there’s a new app out that allows you to skip the waiting line at your favourite restaurant. It’s called CharityWait and it’s from the tech company called SmartLine.

How does it work?

The restaurant signs up for the app and as soon as you and your party arrive at the restaurant, they will input your name into the system. The app then sends you a text on your smartphone with an estimate wait time, how many groups are ahead of you, and a prompt to “Donate and Skip the Wait.” After clicking the button, a party is given a specific donation amount — determined by the size of the group, length of the wait, prices at the restaurant — between $10 and $35 that will move you to the front of the line.

What does it mean for the rest of the line? 

It doesn’t necessarily mean that if you choose not to donate that you’re going to delayed table. And if you do donate, it doesn’t mean it will lengthen the wait time for the rest of the parties in line. Instead, restaurants keep tables on reserve specifically for CharityWait participants. Sixty percent of the proceeds from donations go to a charity of the restaurant’s choice with the other 40 percent going to SmartLine.

When did it launch? 

Since launching in April, only 10 restaurants are using the app so far but the company’s chief executive, Daniel Reitman, says they’ve already raised “a few thousand dollars.” Right now the app is only available in the U.S. But here’s hoping the idea is picked up by other companies as well. Hint: Calling all entrepreneurs.