Rent-A-Queue: Let Others Pay You to Wait in Line Virtually or Physically
A platform where users get paid to wait in lines - either physically at locations like stores, embassies, or launches, or virtually for online reservations, drops, or customer service queues.
Business Type
Service
Minimum Investment
$10,000
Expected Income
$4,900,000
Gender Focus
Unisex
Difficulty Level
Medium
Startup Costs
$15,000
Time is a premium asset, especially in cities or for people with busy schedules. This platform turns waiting into a monetizable service. Users can sign up to ‘wait in line’ - either physically by standing at events, passport offices, product drops, etc., or virtually by holding a place in online queues for reservations, website drops, or customer service calls. Customers pay to avoid the hassle of waiting, while taskers earn per minute or event. For physical queues, geo-verification and live check-ins ensure authenticity. For virtual waits, screen recording or session-pinning confirms service is active. It's Uber for patience. Businesses can also outsource line waiters for brand drops, exclusive tickets, or embassy lines. The service especially thrives during high-demand seasons, bureaucratic procedures, or urban chaos.
Step-by-Step Guide to Success
Develop a mobile app that lets users post 'line requests' and others claim them as tasks.
Implement real-time check-in features, geolocation verification, and photo proof for physical lines.
Create a screen-sharing system or virtual proof method for online queues and reservations.
Set dynamic pricing: urgent lines or early-morning waits cost more.
Allow scheduling and calendar syncing for time-sensitive queue tasks.
Add group queueing: let one person hold a line for multiple people splitting the cost.
Build a rating system for waiters based on punctuality, confirmation, and task success.
Market to professionals, travelers, parents, sneakerheads, embassy applicants, and the elderly.
Core Areas of Focus
Time-as-a-Service
Turns the act of waiting into a sellable service in both physical and virtual spaces.
Learn MoreImportant Highlights
Keep these key points in mind as you move forward
Solves real frustrations for embassies, hospitals, product launches, or online flash sales.
Allows freelancers, students, and even retirees to earn from spare time and patience.
Could be bundled with concierge services or productivity tools for professionals.
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Key Advantages
This business idea stands out because of the following core advantages
-
Live Queue Verification
Waiters must verify presence or activity with periodic check-ins and geo-tagged photos or screens.
-
Dynamic Pricing Engine
Prices vary based on urgency, queue type, and time of day.
-
Online Queue Holding
Support for holding spots in virtual lines like ticket drops, customer service calls, or website access limits.
-
Group Cost Sharing
Multiple customers can share the cost of one queue holder for events or launches.
Competitor Overview
Learn more about the key players in the industry.
These competitors offer valuable insights into market trends, customer preferences, and successful strategies.
Use their approaches to inform your own unique positioning.
TaskRabbit (general errands)
SkipTheLine (event-based only)
Target Demographics
Understanding our key audiences helps us tailor the business approach effectively
Primary Demographic
Urban professionals, parents, travelers, and luxury buyers
Secondary Demographic
Students, part-time workers, and people with flexible hours
Alternative Strategies for Success
If the primary approach doesn't deliver the desired results, consider these backup plans to keep moving forward.
If line-holding becomes regulated, offer only digital/virtual queues
Launch insurance system for missed or canceled queues
Create a concierge-lite model for high-trust clients
Revenue Streams Overview
Discover the core ways this business model generates income and explores potential for growth
Revenue Model
Commission per booking + premium priority fees
Pricing Approach
$5–$100/task depending on length; platform takes 20–35%
Additional Revenue Opportunities
In addition to the primary streams, here are additional revenue sources
VIP waiters with guaranteed success ratings
Explore this channel for additional financial growth and stability.
Enterprise queue plans for embassies, clinics, or corporate launches
Explore this channel for additional financial growth and stability.
Subscription plan for frequent line skippers
Explore this channel for additional financial growth and stability.
Team Structure for Success
To effectively bring this business idea to life, the following team structure and skill sets are essential
Mobile App Developer
- Geo-verification
- Push notifications
- Task status tracking
Operations & Trust Lead
- Fraud prevention
- Live validation
- Support ticket handling
B2B Sales Manager
- Embassy partnerships
- Retail event coordination
- VIP client onboarding
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Opportunities for Elimination
Let others monetize their patience while you reclaim your time
Opportunities to Reduce
Queue Overload at Events
Distributes arrival and presence more efficiently
Raising the Bar for Excellence
1. Enhancement Opportunity
Efficiency in urban time management
2. Enhancement Opportunity
New job opportunities in micro-tasking
Driving Differentiation Through Innovation
Market Insights
Estimated Market Size
$2.6B+ informal queue-skipping and task outsourcing market
The potential value and opportunity within the target market.
Potential Customer Count
Urban populations, business travelers, and gig workers worldwide
An estimate of how many customers the business can attract.
Forecasted Revenue
$4.9M/year with just 20,000 active customers and 4,000 taskers
Projected financial returns based on market assumptions.
Key Operating Regions
Discover the regions we target, along with a breakdown of specific areas within each zone
Urban and bureaucratically dense cities
- New York
- Los Angeles
- London
- Mumbai
- Singapore
- Dubai
Risk Assessment
Market Risk
Low
Financial Risk
Low
Legal Risk
Medium
Time Commitment
Initial Hours
hours per week for the initial phase.
Long-Term Hours
hours per week for ongoing operations.
Core Skills Needed
Task Verification Workflow
To ensure queue-holding is legitimate and no-show-proof.
Dispute Resolution
Handling missed slots, timing confusion, or dual check-ins.
Real-Time Scheduling
Syncing tasks with calendar tools and user availability.
Legal Considerations
Terms for Public Space Use
Clarify tasker responsibilities in public or private queues.
Technical Requirements
Task Matching System
Task Matching System
Live availability and map-based task claiming for nearby waiters.
Virtual Session Validator
Virtual Session Validator
Browser extension or app that verifies user remains active in online queues.
Partnership Opportunities
Event ticketing apps
Travel visa consultants
Tech product launch brands
Task outsourcing platforms
Environmental Impact
Carbon Footprint
Minimal
Sustainability Initiatives
- Encourages digital queueing over crowded physical lines
- Reduces unnecessary commuting just to stand in line
Compliance and Regulations
Platform Use Guidelines
Ensure no line jumping or illegal queue manipulation
Enhance Your Journey with Community Resources
Waiter rating system
Dive into Waiter rating system and gain new insights and strategies.
Job board for top queue earners
Dive into Job board for top queue earners and gain new insights and strategies.
Community chat for queue tips and traffic alerts
Dive into Community chat for queue tips and traffic alerts and gain new insights and strategies.
Revenue Streams
Explore the various revenue opportunities for this business idea.
Task Commission
Earnings from per-minute queue services booked on the platform.
Priority Pass Sales
Let customers pay a premium to get tasks matched faster.
Why This Business Idea Excels in Customer Support
Explore how this approach prioritizes customer satisfaction through proactive and comprehensive support mechanisms.
Disputes about queue legitimacy
No-show waiters
Refunds for missed slots
Future Scaling Potential
Unleashing growth and innovation opportunities for the future
Additional Markets
- Amusement parks
- Medical appointment check-ins
- Airport lounge stand-ins
Innovative Features
- Voice and video proof options
- Corporate queue managers
- Smart wait estimation and crowd forecasting
Certifications Needed
None Required
Acts as a marketplace for time—no certifications needed
Potential Partners
Apple Store Launches
Branded queue-holding for major product drop days