What is the Eat App?
Launched in 2015 by co-founders Nezar Kadhem and David Feuillard, Eat App began as a restaurant reservation and table management platform. It has since grown into a global hospitality technology company, offering a comprehensive cloud-based platform for restaurants, hotels, and other venues. The system is trusted by over 5,000 restaurants in 90+ countries and has successfully seated over 100 million guests.
Eat App offers a two-sided service:
- For Restaurants: An end-to-end management system to increase reservations, automate operations, manage guest data, and power payments.
- For Diners: A user-facing app and website to find and book tables at a variety of restaurants.
Its legitimacy is backed by significant funding from venture capitalists like 500 Startups and Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP).
Eat App for Restaurants: A Professional Platform
For restaurant owners and managers, Eat App provides tools to streamline daily operations and boost revenue. The platform aims to modernize the guest experience and improve efficiency.
Key features for restaurants include online reservations, table management, guest database and CRM, marketing automation, automated communication, in-app payments, and analytics. The platform supports commission-free bookings, helps manage tables visually, build customer databases, run email/SMS campaigns, reduce no-shows with automated reminders, process secure QR code payments, and access performance data.
Eat App for Diners: User Experience and Accessibility
From a diner's perspective, the Eat App provides a straightforward way to discover and book restaurant tables. The app and website allow users to search based on criteria like cuisine, location, and availability.
Some user reviews note potential technical issues and bugs, such as problems with app functionality or displaying local restaurants. While recent reviews are more positive regarding the user interface, past reports indicate that user experience can vary. These inconsistencies are typical for a growing technology company.
The Legitimacy Question: Evidence and Concerns
To determine if Eat App is legit, it's crucial to weigh the positive and negative evidence.
Evidence for Legitimacy:
- Substantial Funding: Millions in funding from reputable investors.
- Industry Presence: Used by major hotel groups like The Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton.
- Positive Reviews: Many users and businesses praise its ease of use, features, and customer support.
- Transparency: Publicly discloses founding history, leadership, and funding.
Concerns and Counterpoints:
- Customer Service Complaints: Some older reviews mention poor experiences, particularly regarding cancellations and reaching support, though Eat App states a focus on 24/7 support.
- Technical Issues: Reports of bugs and functionality problems, such as incorrect location settings, suggest performance can be inconsistent.
- User Confusion: Other unrelated "Eat App" products exist, but the reservation app is distinct.
Comparison: Eat App vs. Key Competitors
| Feature | Eat App | OpenTable | Tock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target User | Diners and restaurants | Diners and restaurants | Diners and restaurants |
| Online Bookings | Commission-free direct bookings | Fee-based network, significant brand recognition | Fee-based network, strong brand recognition |
| Restaurant CRM | Strong CRM and guest data management | Extensive guest data management | Known for advanced guest data and ticketing |
| Payment Integration | Includes pre-payments and secure QR code payments | Offers various payment options | Integrates payments and ticketing |
| Market Share | ~0.54% (global, growing) | ~31.64% (strong market position) | ~36.53% (market leader) |
| Global Reach | 90+ countries | Global presence, well-established | Broad, but smaller than OpenTable |
Conclusion: So, is the Eat App legit?
Based on the evidence, Eat App is a legitimate restaurant management platform, not a scam. It is used by thousands of restaurants and diners globally. While some technical glitches and past customer support issues have been reported, the company appears committed to improving. For restaurants, it offers a robust system, and for diners, a functional booking tool.
Resources
- Eat App: About Us
- G2: Eat App Reviews 2025
