OpenTable, which says it seats more than 12 million diners per month at about 28,000 restaurants, is testing an mobile payment process that will let diners pay for a meal by using the company’s app.
Matthew Roberts, CEO of OpenTable, says in an interview with The New York Times that the company won’t be taking a cut of transactions that take place when a user makes an in-app payment. OpenTable charges restaurants for reservations made via its service and charges a monthly fee for use of its equipment
If you’re wondering about the confusion in-app payments might cause for waiters who might think patrons are pulling a dine-and-dash, OpenTable is cognizant of that possibility, too. Roberts says the company is considering implementing a system that alerts restaurant workers when a diner makes a payment via the mobile app.
In mid-June, OpenTable acquired JustChalo, a mobile technology company developing a payments app for restaurants, for $11 million.
This report comes after potentially threatening moves made by Yelp and Groupon. Earlier this month, Yelp acquired SeatMe, a company that runs a Web- and iPad app-based reservation service for restaurants and other nightlife-related businesses. SeatMe’s service steps on OpenTable’s territory, which is especially awkward since Yelp currently has a deal with OpenTable.
Meanwhile, Groupon recently announced Groupon Reserve, which allows customers to book tables at restaurants at a discount. The company just announced that Groupon Reserve is being added to its iPhone app.
OpenTable is announcing its second-quarter financial results on Thursday.
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