A fierce new competition is unfolding within the hospitality technology sector as major players scramble to secure dominance over the increasingly valuable relationship between restaurants and their customers. The latest and perhaps most striking move came when DoorDash announced its ambitious $1.2 billion acquisition of SevenRooms, a widely regarded reservation and guest management platform. This strategic decision not only expands DoorDash’s influence far beyond food delivery but positions the company directly against OpenTable—the long-standing leader in the online reservation market, which has held its commanding presence since its founding in 1998. The rivalry, however, does not stop there; American Express has raised the stakes even higher by purchasing Tock for a substantial $400 million, transforming what was once a two-sided contest into a dynamic three-way struggle for supremacy.
The magnitude of what is at stake in this escalating confrontation cannot be overstated. OpenTable, often considered the standard-bearer of digital dining reservations, currently boasts a network of roughly 60,000 restaurant partners across the globe. In contrast, Resy—already owned by American Express—will expand to encompass approximately 25,000 establishments after integrating the recently acquired Tock. Meanwhile, DoorDash, which already commands an extraordinary 67 percent share of the U.S. food delivery market, now sees reservations as the essential missing component in its quest for total coverage of the dining experience. By entering this space, DoorDash gains access to the full spectrum of customer interactions, uniting delivery, takeout, and in-restaurant dining under one data-driven ecosystem. The ability to consolidate this information offers profound strategic value, granting companies a holistic understanding of consumer preferences, spending patterns, and loyalty behaviors.
For restaurant owners and operators, this intensifying competition represents not just a battle between corporations but a potential boon for their own businesses. The presence of multiple competing platforms means more advantageous pricing structures, greater choice, and innovative tools that streamline operations and enhance guest relationships. OpenTable’s traditional model, which relies on a combination of a monthly subscription fee and per-diner reservation charges, has long been the industry norm. Resy, in contrast, appeals to restaurateurs through its simplified monthly subscription system, a cost model that removes the unpredictability of per-guest fees. DoorDash’s entry disrupts both approaches by introducing fresh incentives, including direct cash bonuses for bookings and access to exclusive table reservations for premium subscribers. This maneuver compels each platform to differentiate itself more aggressively, intensifying the pressure to offer superior functionality, affordability, and marketing reach.
Ultimately, the so-called ‘Reservation Wars’ are reshaping how restaurants connect with diners in an era when data, convenience, and digital visibility are paramount. The competition is forcing rapid evolution in pricing strategy, service quality, and technological sophistication. For consumers, it promises smoother reservation experiences and potentially better dining opportunities; for restaurateurs, it opens a new era of empowerment driven by choice and negotiation. As the battle among DoorDash, OpenTable, and American Express’s Resy-Tock alliance unfolds, its repercussions will reverberate across the entire hospitality industry—blurring the boundaries between delivery logistics, customer relationship management, and the art of dining itself.
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Sourse: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/doordash-buys-12b-reservation-platform-to-battle-opentable/502986
