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History of TableCheck
2011 - 2023
The start of TableCheck
TableCheck was founded in Japan on March 11, 2011, under the name of VESPER Corporation.
The company was founded on the same day as the Great East Japan Earthquake, an event that devastated the whole nation. With the name that means "evening star", it became the company goal to "illuminate" the future of Japan and transform into a tech company poised for global expansion.
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TableSolution and TableCheck Services
In October 2013, we launched “TableSolution", a table management system for restaurants, and "TableCheck", an online reservation service for guests.
The majority of restaurants were still relying on phone reservations, and only a few restaurants were open to accepting online reservations. Nevertheless, the whole hospitality industry was increasingly acknowledging the advantages of online reservations. This has led to a shift toward automating the management of domestic and international reservations and implementing cancellation policies, among other benefits.
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TableSolution mobile and enhancements
Various functions were implemented to meet the needs of restaurants further. The release of the mobile version of TableSolution in 2014 allowed restaurants to check and create reservations from a smartphone or the restaurant’s tablet device, which enabled easier access to the reservation system. The same year, we also linked our platform with major POS systems. Additionally, we released an "alternative recommendation feature" that suggests other time slots or affiliated restaurants when the restaurant is full.
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Serving 1,000 Stores; IVR “Miseban” release
In 2015, more than 1,000 restaurants adopted the TableSolution reservation system. We also achieved a significant milestone with our first global hotel chain brand, "Hilton."
In that same year, we also launched the patented automated phone answering service feature called IVR "Miseban" This feature automatically manages reservation calls during business hours and even on days when the restaurant is closed, preventing missed reservations. It continues to be widely utilized by many restaurants today.
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Card payment and TableCheck expansion
We implemented a card payment function that allows diners to make advance payments during reservations and deposits. The prepayment function provided restaurants with the simplest and most reliable solution to combat no-shows and last-minute cancellations.
To help boost sales for our partner restaurants, we collaborated with "Hitosara," a gourmet site operated by USEN Media, and later expanded to other various media platforms in Japan and overseas. This resulted in the launch of "TableCheck Channels" which incorporates renowned media outlets such as the Michelin Guide and Tripadvisor, globally renowned platforms known for their capacity to draw visitors to Japan.
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First overseas office and TableCheck portal site
In 2017, when global interest in Japanese restaurants began to rise, TableCheck took a significant step forward and opened its first overseas office in Seoul, South Korea. We also partnered with our first global hotel chain, Conrad Seoul, marking the first significant step in the company's international expansion.
In the same year, we also launched the TableCheck diner portal site, enabling users to search for TableCheck-affiliated establishments to make instant online reservations. Additionally, the release of the Cancellation Protection feature allowed restaurants to manage their cancellations using just credit card information. After its release, the feature quickly gained popularity, reaching 200 participating establishments.
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TableCheck name change and opening of Singapore office
The company name was officially changed from "VESPER" to "TableCheck" to make it more memorable for both restaurants and users. The second overseas TableCheck office opened in Singapore, accelerating the company's expansion into overseas markets, primarily focusing on Asia.
TableCheck Pay was introduced which served as a precursor to the current "contactless payment" feature. We also expanded the cancellation protection feature to cover phone reservations. This year, we formed a data science team and embarked on the development of utilizing data analytics for restaurant operations.
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Three overseas offices, supporting 18 languages
In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games, TableCheck expanded its language support to 18 languages. By removing language and time zone barriers at the reservation stage, TableCheck evolved into a platform that seamlessly connects restaurants and guests optimally.
TableCheck opened three new offices in Indonesia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The number of inquiries from overseas restaurants continued to grow and reached 300 restaurants by the end of the year. The TableCheck team also became a diverse and unique group, with over 100 members from 18 different countries working together.
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COVID-19 response services
When the global pandemic hit in 2020, we steered our focus and released new features to help restaurants navigate this crisis. In March 2020, TableCheck completed its integration with "Google Reservations" and launched a data analysis tool "TableCheck Insight”. In April 2020, we started offering a free reservation system for "Takeout/Delivery/Prepaid Support Plans" and integrated with Instagram/Facebook in May 2020 to enable more online order capability. In Aug 2020, we introduced "Contactless Payment" to meet the growing demand for touchless and crowd-free transactions.
In the same year, the Table Management System (TMS) and other existing products became unified under the name TableCheck.
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Shift from OTAs and selected as Top 500 high-growth company in Asia
The pandemic sparked digital transformation (DX) for restaurants. With the entry of Google Maps and Instagram into the restaurant reservation service market in 2020, more restaurants started working towards reducing their reliance on OTA.
TableCheck was included in the "Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021", a survey conducted by Financial Times. By December, the number of participating establishments had exceeded 6,000. Despite the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, TableCheck continued to grow, thanks to the support of its participating establishments in the restaurant industry.
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1,000 international restaurants; inbound visitors to Japan increase
COVID-19 lockdowns worldwide and self-quarantine measures began to ease, gradually revitalizing the restaurant industry. In October, Japan lifted its restrictions; for the first time in three years, tourists started to return to Japan, boosting restaurant reservations. The number of reservations made by inbound visitors to Japanese restaurants increased to approximately 45 times.
Our awareness survey report (fourth edition, published in 2023), showed that "Google" surpassed OTA and became the top platform for restaurant searches. More updates to product features were made, including TableCheck EDM, allowing restaurants to utilize their customer data for marketing.
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Collaboration with Tripadvisor® and Michelin Guide; the second phase
In 2023, restaurants began to experience a surge in visits. The company was able to increase the number of high-quality domestic and international customers by partnering with Michelin Guide and Tripadvisor®, as part of "TableCheck Channels'.
TableCheck now enters its second entrepreneurial phase to shape the future of the restaurant industry. In 2023, we went from being a table management system to bringing transformation to restaurant operations, marketing, and business models. We strive to provide the ultimate restaurant experience for both users and restaurants, going beyond the service of reservation and customer management.
Read our company history in Japanese.
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TableCheck numbers for 2023
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Restaurants
The TableCheck reservation and customer management system is utilized by over 9,000 restaurants worldwide)
Highest mumber of supported Languages
The TableCheck reservation system supports 18 languages and can accommodate guests from around the world)
Exceptional support service
With an outstanding usage retention rate of 99.48%, the reservation and customer management system becomes an essential and irreplaceable asset for restaurants)
No.1 market share
The number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan is around 290. About 50% of Michelin restaurants use Table Check.)
10 overseas locations
As a Japanese tech company, we aim to expand our footprint globally. With currently have 10 offices in Asia, and including the UAE.)
A borderless and global work environment
We are a diverse, unique, challenging, and growing company with an elite group of members from 28 countries around the world)
