The present invention relates to a multistage reforming process to produce a high octane product. A naphtha boiling range feedstock is processed in a multi-stage reforming process, in which the process involves at least 1) a penultimate stage for reforming the naphtha feedstock to produce a penultimate effluent 2) a final stage for further reforming at least a portion of the penultimate effluent 3) a regeneration step for the final stage catalyst. The severity of the penultimate stage can be increased during final stage catalyst regeneration in order to maintain the target RON of the reformate product and avoid reactor downtime.