OpenTable
Acquired Subsidiary
OpenTable is a restaurant reservation platform and reservation management software provider.
Founded
1998OpenTable is a restaurant reservation platform and reservation management software provider.
OpenTable offers diners a web and mobile platform to search restaurants by date, time, cuisine, and location, then confirm reservations by email. Diners can earn loyalty points redeemable at participating restaurants after completed meals.
For restaurants, OpenTable provides an Electronic Reservation Book that digitizes host-stand workflows. The system handles reservation management, table assignment, guest recognition, and email marketing, replacing paper-based booking processes while syncing inventory with the consumer marketplace.
Restaurant reservation platforms increasingly compete on integrated dining experiences rather than table inventory alone. OpenTable is positioning itself as a connector across reservations, payments, transportation, and brand advertising through partnerships with Visa, Uber, and its OpenTable Media network.
Consolidation also shapes the market, as shown by OpenTable acquiring Canadian platform Libro in 2026 to deepen coverage in Quebec. Incumbent scale and diner data remain central assets as card networks and delivery platforms seek restaurant relationships.
OpenTable maintains one of the largest global restaurant reservation networks, with more than 65,000 participating locations across over 80 countries. The platform reports seating about 1.9 billion diners annually, giving it scale that newer rivals struggle to match.
Decades of booking history also supply first-party diner data on preferences, visit frequency, and dining occasions. That dataset supports restaurant operations, targeted marketing through OpenTable Media, and partnerships with payment and mobility platforms such as Visa and Uber.
OpenTable's per-cover fees can scale unpredictably for high-volume restaurants, while competitors such as Resy, Toast Tables, Yelp Guest Manager, and SevenRooms promote flat-fee or lower-cost structures that reduce total cost of ownership and improve budget predictability.
The platform also does not let restaurants fully own guest data, requires an iPad for floor management, and has been criticized for allowing competitor restaurants to advertise against a listing, which can dilute brand control and direct-booking relationships.
OpenTable sells tiered software subscriptions aimed at different restaurant sizes: Basic at $149 per month, Core at $299 per month, and Pro at $499 per month, with each higher tier adding table management, guest CRM, marketing automation, and deeper analytics.
The company monetizes both recurring subscription revenue and usage-based network cover fees—$1.50 per cover on Basic after a 30-day free period and $1 per cover on Core and Pro—plus optional add-ons such as premium SMS messaging, digital advertising, and a 2% service fee on prepaid experiences and ticketing.