How Dave & Buster’s fuels success with OpenTable

Two million diners seated with OpenTable since 2022, and the only way forward is growth.

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How Dave & Buster’s fuels success with OpenTable

Two million diners seated with OpenTable since 2022, and the only way forward is growth.

Explore plans

Contact sales

Debuting in 1982, Dave & Buster’s has been a trailblazer in the industry, combining food, beverage, and entertainment under one roof.

With 165 locations nationwide, this beloved brand allows guests to mix and match their experiences—whether gaming and dining, drinking and eating, or simply enjoying great food and a lively atmosphere.

To grow its business, the group needed to expand its reach and find a better way to manage reservations. They sought a solution that would help attract more guests and streamline operations, and OpenTable was the obvious choice.

TYPE OF RESTAURANT

Group

LOCATION

165 locations nationwide

YEAR FOUNDED

1982

Unlocking new guest opportunities

As a well-established brand, attracting new guests and driving revenue can be challenging. However, Dave & Buster’s believed OpenTable’s extensive diner network would provide the boost it needed. “When people think of dining reservations, OpenTable is the first thing that comes to mind—and that opens up a lot of possibilities for us,” says Ryan Nowicki, Senior Director of Ops Excellence and Strategic Initiatives.

Partnering with OpenTable unlocks exposure to a broader customer base, resulting in increased traffic and bookings for each of the group’s locations. To date, they’ve seated over 2M diners through OpenTable.

Additionally, the team can easily attach food and beverage sales to parties, which helps boost their bottom line.

When people think of dining reservations, OpenTable is the first thing that comes to mind.

Boosting efficiency and enhancing the guest experience

With OpenTable, Dave & Buster’s guests can easily book tables online, including for large groups. Before, they only required parties of 10+ people to book a private event, which didn’t fit what their guests wanted. Now, they’ve been able to open up availability to large groups, removing friction from the booking process. Today, it’s common for a location to have up to 20 15-tops on a busy Saturday night reserved through OpenTable.

The front of house keeps operations smooth and guests happy with a variety of tools at their fingertips. “The name of the game is being efficient and delivering on guest expectations,” says Ryan. “Nothing is more frustrating for a guest than arriving for a reservation and facing delays.” Features like table assignment recommendations help the team identify available inventory when a party’s table isn’t ready or fit in extra walk-ins.

A strategic rollout for maximum impact

Dave & Buster’s signed on with OpenTable in the fall of 2019, with eight of their top locations. To ensure smooth onboarding, Ryan’s team hit the road, conducting thorough training with help from OpenTable and gathering feedback from each team.

The input from each location confirmed that OpenTable’s user-friendly technology and valuable network were just what they needed. By early 2022, OpenTable was in place across all 160+ locations.

Exceptional support every step of the way

Dave & Buster’s appreciates the outstanding support they receive from OpenTable. With a dedicated account manager and responses to their questions within hours, they always feel supported. “The level of support we get from our account manager, Michelle, has always been top-notch…It’s crucial for operators to know that someone will be there on the other end if they have a question, whether through a phone call, text, or email,” Ryan shares.

Additionally, quarterly business reviews with their account manager provide valuable insights, helping the group maximize revenue using OpenTable.

Dave & Buster’s continues to lead the way in its category with the support of OpenTable’s powerful diner network, intuitive technology, and hands-on support.

Learn more about restaurant reservation software

Take charge of your reservations with OpenTable’s best-in-class restaurant reservation management system, providing access to the world’s largest diner network. Explore our blog posts for tips on optimizing bookings, enhancing the guest experience, and maximizing your restaurant’s success through effective reservation management.

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