How per-cover pricing works
Network reservation apps usually charge a monthly subscription plus a fee for each guest seated from their app or network. Published 2026 pricing for OpenTable, for example, shows plans of about $149 to $499 a month plus $1.00 to $1.50 per network cover, with a 2% fee on deposits and no-show charges since January 2026. Check the provider's own pricing page for your plan.
What that adds up to
At $1.50 a cover, 600 network diners a month is $900 in cover fees on top of the subscription. The more popular you get through the app, the more you pay, and the guest relationship sits partly with the network.
Taking reservations on your own
Put booking on your own website, Google profile and phone line. Guests book directly, you keep the contact, and there is no fee per diner. You still want the same tools: a floor plan, turn times, pacing, a waitlist and reminders that cut no-shows.
Dine-in reservations on Cenvi
Draw your tables, bar and patio, set seats and party sizes per table, set turn times and pacing caps, and run walk-ins, a waitlist with quoted waits and no-show tracking. Guests book from your storefront, and on the Concierge plan Front Desk takes reservations by phone. It is included on every paid plan with no per-cover fee.
When a network still makes sense
If most of your new guests discover you through a reservation app, its network may be worth the fee. Many restaurants keep a network listing for discovery and push repeat guests to book direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenTable charge per cover?
Yes. Published pricing shows a monthly plan plus a fee per diner seated through the OpenTable network. Bookings through your own website widget cost less or nothing, depending on the plan.
Is there reservation software with no per-cover fee?
Yes. Several systems charge a flat monthly price. On Cenvi, dine-in reservations are included on every paid plan with no per-cover fee.
How do I reduce no-shows?
Send confirmations and reminders by text, keep a waitlist, track no-shows per guest, and take a card or deposit for large parties and busy nights.
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