116. Debby Soo: OpenTable Reimagines Reservations
Manage episode 447628968 series 2715963
Our next guest is on a mission to support restaurants and reclaim market share in a sector her company helped revolutionize 26 years ago. Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, the pioneering platform for restaurant reservations, founded in 1998 in San Francisco. Today, OpenTable remains the leader in online reservations as part of Booking Holdings Inc., but being the first and largest doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best.
Debby took the helm in 2020 during an extraordinarily challenging time for the restaurant industry, facing stiff competition and an evolving dining landscape. Over the years, platforms like Resy and Tock have gained traction, partnering with top-tier restaurants and renowned chefs, raising the bar for what reservation platforms can deliver.
Determined to reclaim OpenTable’s position, Debby and her team have embraced an ambitious, offense-driven approach, recently announcing a partnership with Visa to enhance their offerings. A recent article in The San Francisco Chronicle described OpenTable as “shedding its reputation as an old-guard.” Debby echoed this commitment, stating, “I want to make the best reservations system on the planet.”
In this episode, we’ll dive into her strategic vision, her perspective on innovation, and her plans for the future of OpenTable.
Learn more about OpenTable:
Follow OpenTable on Instagram:
Follow Debby Soo on Instagram:
Watch On The Pass Original: RARE, A Chef's Story:
Follow On The Pass on Instagram:
Follow our Host, Gabriel Ornelas:
Learn more about On The Pass:
Lets work together! Get in contact:
104 Episoden