The Seated app may seem like a standard reservation tool, but the app is so much more, as it actively rewards customers for dining out at local restaurants. Developed as a restaurant discovery app, Seated currently features restaurants in 14 cities across the US. Unlike most food apps, which simply showcase local restaurants, the Seated app takes it a step further by offering rewards for booking a meal. These rewards can range anywhere from $10 to $50 from brands like Amazon, Lyft and Starbucks.
While the app was first launched for reservations, a new walk-in feature was recently added and now gives diners the ability to earn rewards by simply browsing for restaurants and selecting the 'Walk-In' option. To confirm that users actually went to the restaurant, the Seated app requires diners to take a photo of their receipt, or link their credit card to the app for verification of payment.
The Seated app is even appealing to the charitable, as it donates a meal through the ShareTheMeal app for every meal booked.
What's Driving This Trend
- Reward-offering Dining Apps
- The Seated app actively rewards customers for dining out at local restaurants.
- Restaurant Discovery Apps
- The Seated app goes beyond showcasing local restaurants by offering rewards for booking a meal.
- Walk-in Dining Rewards
- The new walk-in feature in the Seated app allows diners to earn rewards by browsing for restaurants and selecting the 'Walk-In' option.
Who This Affects Most
- Food Delivery
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a food delivery app that offers rewards for ordering from local restaurants.
- Travel and Hospitality
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a hotel booking app that offers rewards for booking a stay.
- Mobile Payment
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build a mobile payment platform that integrates with dining apps and automatically verifies payment for rewards.
