Bill Hanifin
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OpenTable has a different goal in mind while facilitating mobile payments: convenience. The OpenTable app grants consumers the ability to pay their bill using a mobile phone (at participating restaurants.) When first downloading and launching the app, users must register a credit or debit card (Yes, only once!) to initially get started. App users will be able to view a bill in real-time allowing them to pay, tip and leave at their convenience while receiving the receipt via email. The only requirement is checking in with the host or server to notify them you are going to pay using OpenTable.
After a successful pilot program in San Francisco, the mobile payment service has launched in New York City and most recently Washington D.C.. OpenTable is planning to release the program in an additional 20 U.S. cities by the end of 2014.
OpenTable stands out among the many mobile payment apps because there is no scanning required to finalize a payment, and consumers don’t have to wait around for a server to check them out. The mobile app is free to download for both Apple and Android users.
