First Table Launches in New Plymouth

New Zealand startup First Table is launching in New Plymouth today, with 13 restaurants throughout the city offering half-priced meals.

First Table works with restaurants in New Zealand and Australia who want more patrons in the typically quieter early hours of evenings.

Those restaurants offer a 50% discount to attract First Table users, who can sign up for free and make bookings at firsttable.co.nz. Table bookings are generally for before 7pm.

Today’s launch in New Plymouth brings the total number of cities in which First Table is live to 17 across New Zealand and Australia, with 250 restaurants between them.

The startup was founded just under two years ago by Queenstown-based Mat Weir, after he noticed an increase in restaurants offering early bird deals to attract diners.

“Getting a good flow of customers early in the evening is crucial for any successful restaurant,” he says.

“People are inherently attracted to places that are busy because it provides a great atmosphere and good social proof that the establishment is doing something right. At the same time, we find that First Table diners love to try out a new place at the early bird rate but will then go back and pay the full rate if they love it.”

Over the two years since founding First Table, Weir says he’s noticed a growing trend in restaurants requesting to be part of the network, instead of him having to ask them.

“That’s testament to the fact that restaurants are seeing the real benefits of being on First Table. We wanted to create a truly win-win platform for diners and restaurants and I think we’ve achieved that, which is hugely satisfying,” says Weir.

First Table is becoming more than just an early bird dining platform, with the recent launch of First Table Magazine: an online showcase of the best restaurants, chefs and food news here and across the ditch.

“First Table is becoming an indispensable tool for foodies and we’re pleased to finally bring our offering to the people of New Plymouth,” says Weir.