OpenTable

Pros

I love how it lets me pick out the details and specific times and to let them know if it's for a special occasion or not. It's awesome too, that you earn points.That can go towards things.

Cons

As of right now, I don't have any issues with open table.

Pros

Very easy to use and navigate the app. I can get reservations to top restaurants in a few clicks.

Cons

There’s not much I don’t like, perhaps I wish every restaurant used open table.

Pros

Ease of use for both customers and restaurants.
Dominates market share for booking reservations.

Cons

Very expensive with variable cost depending on bookings from OpenTable platform versus the restaurants own booking networks.
Huge market control makes it almost impossible to succeed as a restaurant if you are not using them.
No clear or transparent way to accurately sort what reservations were made through OpenTable and what weren't when invoicing.
There is no option to rate diners the same way as restaurants are reviewed so you can select the best customers and decline and the rest during busy times.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to OpenTable

Pros

My favorite thing about OpenTable is that you can make reservations directly through the app, and you get email reminders up to the date of the reservation. It helps keep your guests aligned with the date and time!

Cons

I feel like not all restaurants are on OpenTable! I wish they would broaden their reach so that the majority of the restaurants around us could participate in it.

Pros

Ease and efficiency of booking a table. Immediate feedback. Rewards program

Cons

Rewards program is small and hard to achieve benefits. I also wish each restaurant would participate to be a one stop shop.

Pros

I love being able to have the flexibility to ensure that I have a reservation at the place I want to eat at without waiting.

Cons

I'm not sure all restaurants keep their times up to date, nor sometimes they hold times back.

Pros

OpenTable is easy to use and gives updates when you are close to your reservation.

Cons

Honestly, OpenTable is great and so easy to use. I can’t think of anything bad.

Pros

Very easy for making reservations, adjusting resos, getting information about a restaurant

Cons

I haven't run into any issues with it so far, it has only made the process of booking a reservation easier!

Pros

Ease of making reservations and including others.

Cons

I don't have any complaints about OpenTable, I believe it works well.

Pros

Simple ui, easy to understand and use. Fairly reliable

Cons

No real complaints, I have experienced issues with scheduling however.

Pros

It offered a reservation system that we wanted to use to manage seating.

Cons

It was never accurate. Our times didn’t correlate to the actual reservation times. Customers reservations were not populating on our side. It was a disaster and I would like to get the money wasted back

Alternatives Considered

Pros

Change in habits, from using paper and pencils to technology. Better organization.

Cons

After 20 years using it.. I think that the license is really high.

Pros

Marketing options, large customer reach, customer support

Cons

Mobile/iPad version of apps vs. webpage are missing some features and you will need to go onto a laptop or desktop to utilize.

Pros

The convenience of the app. It really makes it easy to reserve a table at the best restaurants.

Cons

I don’t care for the up selling it kind of bugs me when I don’t need to use them for anything.

Pros

I personally like the ease of use that OpenTable gives to users. For people who are usually on the go this is something that anyone can get their hands on.

Cons

No much that I don't like about OpenTable. Only thing that would be interesting is showcasing their other features.

Pros

We live in a small area and not a lot of restaurants use Open Table (assume due to the cost), so right off the bat this system is a win for us because it’s a tourist town. People come from other areas and are used to using this platform, so to be one of the few restaurants that’s available to make reservations is an incredible opportunity for us. It’s organization and marketing in one. We covered our monthly subscription in 1 night of use.

Cons

No complaints so far! We are new to using this system, but so far the training has been great, as has the business we’ve received using the system.

Pros

All the details you need are there in the reservation once complete: day, time, location of table (if applicable), and any requests you might have if it's a special occasion.

Cons

If you make a mistake, you have to cancel the reservation in order to make a new one because the system will show the time you want as unavailable otherwise.

Pros

It does generate leads and has many features regarding timing, merging tables, turning on and off dining areas.

Cons

It can get expensive. $250 per month for service, $1 (or more) for every diner booked from OpenTable

Pros

Reservations can be easily and quickly managed. When plans change, it takes seconds to cancel or reschedule.

Cons

The fact that not every restaurant uses it though I imagine their database is growing constantly.

Pros

This website/app is the top choice for making reservations. It offers a smooth experience and makes it very easy to explore your options for destinations.

Cons

I had no problem what so ever with the app.

Pros

I like that I can just get onto my phone and make a reservation super easily.
I’ve never had an issue.

Cons

Like I mentioned before, I’ve never had any issues with this software.
It’s super helpful

Pros

I use it to reserve restaurant locations for business meetings. Super convenient from cell or computer and can share with the other team members in attendance

Cons

If you change a reservation, it sometimes takes a bit to get caught up and not send you reminders for that original date of the event

Pros

I like that you can pick the times that are available and they also give you the next available date. If you can not book the one you want- they have suggestions for alternate restaurants.

Cons

There was nothing I didn't like about it- it truly has made booking reservations at restaurants way easier, and all in the same location (rather than going to reach restaurants website).

Pros

I love how easy it is to make a restaurant reservation with OpenTable and to modify it if needed. I also like the rewards program when you are able to earn points for dining reservations. The feature to make a reservation on someone else's behalf (for clients) is also super valuable!

Cons

OpenTable used to be the primary platform for restaurant reservations and now there are so many other platforms to keep track of. I wish all reservations qualified for points, as I find more and more do not offer points upon dining.

Pros

I enjoy not having to call a restaurant when they are busy, or if they are not open yet, to book a table. I can see what open seats are available for me and my party and book with ease.

Cons

Some places have limits to the amount of seats you can reserve for, leading to me having to call the restaurant for larger parties. I also work in events so being able to book larger parties is necessary.