Restaurant Management System including Patron Table Management System, and Methods of Operating Same

A patron table management system for a restaurant including a plurality of patron tables comprising: a plurality of tag indicators, each tag indicator includes an NFC tag (unique identification data which is stored therein) that is secured to and associated with a particular patron table. The system also includes a mobile handheld device including: a tag reader to read the unique identification data stored in a NFC tag of a tag indicator when in operable proximity thereto, and wireless communication circuitry configured to transmit (i) unique identification data stored in the NFC tag and (ii) a status of the patron table associated therewith, wherein the status of a table includes a table clean or table ready. A central station is configured to receive the wireless transmission and output information of a status of each patron table of the plurality of patron tables of the restaurant (e.g., via a display).