Online restaurant reservation service OpenTable is setting up operations in Dublin. The company, which was established in 1997, allows diners to book tables at restaurants in real time.

Managing director of OpenTable Mike Xenakis said Dublin was a natural extension of its existing operations. The company already operates in the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Japan and Mexico.

“It’s a market where the number one competitor continues to be pen and paper, and the telephone,” he said.

OpenTable has already recruited three staff and has begun signing up restaurants for the service. When it has a sufficient number of establishments signed up, it will open the service to diners.

Mr Xenakis described it as a “chicken and egg scenario”, with restaurants needing to see the potential of the service and diners requiring a choice of restaurants. However, if things go to plan, OpenTable will be taking orders from Dublin restaurant goers in the first quarter of next year.

The company offers restaurants two different options: a reservation service that acts as a virtual storefront and will allow diners to book tables, and a more involved offering that includes table management and marketing tools.

“Every market is a little unique,” he said. “in Ireland and Dublin, we’re still going to need to talk to restaurants about the benefits of going online”, adding that in other markets that is commonplace. In those markets, OpenTable is tasked with outlining the benefits of going with its system over rivals.

“It’s a challenge starting with a new concept for restaurants and diners,” he said.

OpenTable ultimately has ambitions of becoming a global company, but as yet there are no plans to expand to other Irish cities.

However, it’s not ruling it out. The company will be looking closely at its mobile platform in the future as an increasing number of people bypass the PC in favour of tablets and smartphones.