OpenTable's mobile app generate $150m for restaurants; seats over 3 million diners

Analog restaurant booking has always been a hellish experience for me. I really can’t stand arsing around having to spell out my name or my telephone number. I also really object to calling at 11am to book a table only to realise that the restaurant ‘isn’t open yet’. Ridiculous.

Which is why when OpenTable came along, I grasped the concept with both hands.

And when they launched a mobile web version, I remember using it at least three or four times a week in San Francisco.

Now that they have their mobile app, the experience of booking over 13,000 restaurants on-the-go is even simpler. It’s not just me who’s appreciating it either. As of today, OpenTable has now seated 3 million diners, generating $150m in revenues for its restaurant partners (based on a $50 bill per diner).

You can get the app for iPhone, Palm, BlackBerry and Android. Though OpenTable haven’t quite got the message about Nokia or Samsung as yet. I hope they do, soon.

Meanwhile users of other platforms can use the mobile.opentable.com to book.