The restaurant industry is seeing a boom in using premium reservations to target big spenders.
This involves offering exclusive dining experiences with high-end menus and prices and unique perks such as personalized menus and access to private dining rooms.
- The pandemic partly drives the trend, which has forced restaurants to find new ways to generate revenue and attract customers. The pandemic has also made reservations more common than they were previously.
- Premium reservations are marketed as a way for diners to celebrate special occasions or to impress clients and business partners.
- Some restaurants are also experimenting with dynamic reservation pricing, varying prices depending on demand and availability.
- While the trend is likely to appeal to high-end consumers, it raises questions about equity in the restaurant industry and the potential for pricing out more budget-conscious diners.
- Analysts compare this new trend to the "Disney FastPass," where one can pay for a better experience by skipping lines at rides.
- The trend has also been used for partnerships with some restaurants, like Cane & Table in New Orleans, which has a table only for American Express cardholders.