Van Hecke is introducing the measure because an exceptionally large number of guests did not show up. He explained this himself on social media. “In both of our businesses, Bistro Refter and Restaurant Zet’Joe, we have had no-show no-shows of no less than 250 covers in the past two weeks,” he wrote. That means people reserved a table, but didn’t show up.
That is why Van Hecke will ask for credit card details in the future when making a reservation.