OpenTable

OpenTable is an online restaurant reservation service company that provides a platform for customers to make real-time reservations at participating restaurants. The company, founded in 1998 by Chuck Templeton, is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and operates in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

History

Chuck Templeton founded OpenTable in San Francisco in 1998. The company's initial goal was to help restaurants manage and streamline their reservation process while providing a convenient platform for customers to secure dining reservations. In 2009, OpenTable went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol 'OPEN'.

Services

OpenTable provides a platform for users to make online reservations at over 60,000 restaurants worldwide. The platform allows users to search for restaurants based on various parameters such as location, cuisine, price, and rating. In addition to reservations, OpenTable also offers a rewards program where users can earn points for dining out, which can be redeemed for dining rewards or Amazon gift cards.

Business Model

OpenTable operates on a business model that charges restaurants monthly and per-reservation fees for their use of the service. The company also generates revenue through advertising on its platform.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its success, OpenTable has faced criticism for its high fees and for monopolistic practices. Some restaurants have complained that the cost of using the service is too high, while others have accused the company of using its dominant position to stifle competition.

See Also

• Yelp
• Zomato
• Resy