OPENTABLE CEO REFOCUSES ON RESTAURANTS, HITS 2B ANNUAL SEATS

OpenTable faced declining participation from major restaurant groups before Soo implemented strategic changes to prioritize the needs of restaurant operators over consumer features. The shift proved effective. The platform now operates at an all-time high, with 2 billion annual reservations across its 65,000 partner restaurants—a significant milestone for the pioneering reservation application. Soo's approach represents a fundamental business model adjustment. Rather than competing primarily on consumer experience and features, the platform doubled down on restaurant profitability and operational efficiency, positioning itself as essential infrastructure for dining establishments. The strategy reversal stabilized relationships with marquee restaurant groups that had previously threatened to reduce or eliminate their OpenTable presence. The results demonstrate that aligning incentives with restaurant partners—the supply side of the marketplace—can drive overall platform growth. OpenTable, acquired by Booking Holdings in 2014, continues to dominate the restaurant reservation sector under this renewed direction.