Latest news with #Tock
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tock Looks Back On And Celebrates 10 Years As An Industry Disruptor
Tock, a restaurant booking platform that pioneered prepaid dining reservations, is celebrating its tenth year in 2025. The tool aims to decrease reservation abandonment, contributing to potential cost savings. Its introduction a decade ago disrupted the restaurant industry and marked a shift in reservation management. Tock's origin story starts with a frustrated restaurant owner. Nick Kokonas, the co-founder of three-Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago, was facing challenges. Even as one of the most sought-after fine dining destinations in the country, Alinea continued to experience hurdles like last-minute cancellations and no-shows. Dr. Larry Yu, a professor of hospitality management at The George Washington University, has commented that 'the general understanding in the U.S. restaurant industry is that about one out of five customers often do not show up for restaurant reservations. Effectively a 20% no-show rate across restaurants, pubs, and bars in the U.S.' This reservation absenteeism had a major impact at Alinea, where the tasting menu dinner can cost upwards of $300 a head. Kokonas realized that other big ticket experiences—like concerts, hotels and flying—all had systems in place to deter last-minute cancellations and no-shows. So, he set out to bring the same level of accountability to the restaurant industry. Kokonas created an in-house system that required people who wanted to reserve a table at Alinea prepay for their meal. This approach provided greater consistency in managing inventory, staffing and revenue. The restaurant's no-show rate was basically eliminated. This success soon attracted interest from other restaurateurs and in 2014, Kokonas transformed the platform into an independent company, Tock. Tock data suggests that requiring some form of upfront commitment—whether a deposit, credit card hold, or full prepayment—can significantly reduce no-shows. Even a small deposit at the time of booking tends to lower absenteeism, with fully prepaid reservations showing the most dramatic impact. 'We saw an opportunity to completely rethink reservations,' Matt Tucker, head of Tock, said in an email. "At Alinea, a no-show wasn't just inconvenient. It was costly. Instead of continuing with the status quo, we introduced our own product, Tock, and prepaid bookings to the industry. Tock gave restaurants financial certainty, reduced friction for the guests and the restaurant, and allowed us to treat reservations more like ticketing for an experience.' The prepaid reservation system began with Alinea, and eventually evolved. Tock has now been adopted by more than just restaurants—wineries, pop-ups and experience-driven businesses are using the system to gain stronger guest commitment. According to Tock, there are now over 7,000 businesses that use and benefit from the system. When reflecting on some of the first restaurants to use Tock, Tucker says they all had something in common, they were "innovators who wanted to challenge the norms." "Whether it was OTOKO in Austin rethinking omakase, or Cow by Bear throwing anonymous dinner parties in San Diego, these restaurants valued experience," Tucker said in an email, "Tock let them monetize that experience in a thoughtful, sustainable way.' The Tock 10- The Firsts To commemorate its birthday milestone, Tock is looking back on its 10 years with 'The Tock 10.' This monthly collective celebrates 10 businesses that use the tool and groups them together under a common theme. The "Tock 10-The Firsts" list highlights some of the first restaurants who believed in the benefit of Tock and adopted the tool. Alinea (Chicago, IL) Lazy Bear (San Francisco, CA) Staplehouse (Atlanta, GA) Kadence (Orlando, FL) Spoon and Stable (Minneapolis, MN) otoko x watertrade (Austin, TX) Cow by Bear (San Diego, CA) Smyth (Chicago, IL) OSAKANA (New York, NY) Inn of the Seventh Ray (Topanga, CA) • On what the model unlocked for growth: o 'For many of these restaurants who were early adopters to pre-paid reservations, it meant consistency and creativity could coexist. They had predictable revenue, more control over service, and fewer operational headaches.' • On the broader shift in hospitality: o 'The best dining experiences are more than just a meal. They're curated, intentional, and often interactive. The restaurants in the original Tock 10 understood that early. They paved the way for how restaurants operate today. Tock gave them the tools to succeed on their own terms.' • On what's to come: o 'We evolve with our partners. The needs of the hospitality industry are constantly changing, and we listen and deliver.'
Eater
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Boyle Heights' Legendary La Tortilleria Azteca to Shutter Original Location
Though it's the end of an era for La Tortilleria Azteca, it's not officially an ending. On June 13, the over-50-year-old restaurant and tortilleria will cease operations at its classic location on Caesar Chavez Boulevard and move permanently to its second location, less than two miles away on Atlantic and Beverly Boulevards. Thankfully, the news is not a full closure — but it's a sad removal of a historic Boyle Heights space. La Tortilleria Azteca is known for its long lines, the massive flour tortilla-making operation directly behind the ordering counter, and those signature chile relleno burritos. Owners Cynthia Hernandez and her parents, Candy and Juan Villa, purchased the restaurant in 2010. According to LAist, the family opened the second location in 2023 after learning that the landlord was considering selling the property. Strong Water Anaheim pop-up at Thunderbolt Anaheim's two-time James Beard Award nominee and Tiki bar Strong Water will pop up at Thunderbolt in Echo Park on Monday, July 7. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is a great opportunity to try their signature drinks without the long drive and meet owners Ying Chang and Robert Adamson. Tickets are $105 per person, which includes five drinks. Thunderbolt and Strong Water will open reservations on Tock this weekend (keep an eye on Instagram). A new nightclub heading to West Hollywood Sweetwater, a new nightlife and bar on West Hollywood's will open later this summer on the busy stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard near San Vicente Boulevard. Owner Berni Gambino tells Eater that her forthcoming spot is a lesbian bar and nightlife venue that's geared toward inclusion. Chef Daniel Patterson launches his pre-Jaca pop-up Chef Daniel Patterson is still on track to open his forthcoming restaurant, Jaca Restaurant. He'll move forward without his former partner and chef, Keith Corbin, and, during the summer months, will start preparing those future dishes in pop-up tasting menu format in a private space every Friday and Saturday. He describes Jaca Social Club as a preview of Jaca, inspired by his Bay Area restaurant Coi. Tickets are $250 per person and can be booked via Resy. On July 3, chef Michael Montilla and Brad Salzman will bring back one of Los Angeles's beloved restaurant recipes as Original Hollywood Chili. The duo secured the original recipe from the Chasen family and can be ordered here. Chasen's operated in Beverly Hills for decades before closing in 2000. A la carte pre-orders of the revival can be placed on its website. Two events to check out this weekend Good Boy and Friends does its fourth annual natural wine block party in the Arts District on June 28 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. $59 tickets give entrants the chance to taste 40-plus wines from producers across the country, while the $149 VIP for priority check-in, a wine tote, and other goodies. Vendors like Ditroit, Burger She Wrote, and Simón Seafood will sell bites. Pick up tickets here. Infatuation's EEEEEatscon returns to Santa Monica's Barker Hangar this weekend with events on June 28 and June 29. Shake Shack is collaborating with the LA Fire Department with a special burger topped with Fire Engine red pepper relish, fried shrimp with fries, and a limited edition hat, while supplies last. A dollar from every purchase will benefit the LA Fire Department Foundation, a worthy cause in the wake of the wildfires that impacted the Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January. In addition, all net revenues from the weekend will be matched by Chase (One must be a Chase cardholder to attend the event) and donated to a local organization to support small businesses. Other vendors include 88 Club with Trophies Burger Club, Auntie Yvette's Kitchen, III Mas, and Za Za Zá. The festivities take place both days from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; entrance is $25 and food costs extra. See More: Intel LA Restaurant Closings
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capital One-Backed Atmosfy Launches 10% Cash Back on Travel and Experiences
The New All-Access Pass By Atmosfy Unlocks Rewards on 3.5M Hotels, Perks with Top Brands, and Tools to Help Brands Thrive Globally SAN FRANCISCO, June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atmosfy, the leading video platform for reviewing live dining, nightlife, and travel experiences, today announced the launch of the All-Access Pass by Atmosfy, an in-app rewards engine that markets travel, experiences and more. Following a recent investment from Capital One Ventures, the new rewards engine will continue the company's mission of powering the next generation of real-world discovery. All-Access Pass features Expedia-powered hotel inventory and brand integrations across dining, nightlife, and experiences. Atmosfy users now earn 10% cash back on over 3.5 million global properties, plus access to curated perks from marquee partners, including Tock. "As the go-to platform for Gen Z discovery, we're proud to partner with the world's largest travel brands like Capital One, Tock, and Expedia to unlock meaningful savings across hotels, restaurants, and experiences," said Michael Ebel, Founder & CEO of Atmosfy. "We're not just helping users find where to go, we're helping them save when they get there. Atmosfy is fueling global experiences, offering inspiration, connection, and rewards that help the next generation experience more of the world." To date, over 250 million experiences have been discovered on Atmosfy across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. As the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travelers, Atmosfy is redefining how the next generation explores the world by favoring immersive, authentic video content over static reviews. Gen Z already contributes over $150 billion annually to the global travel market, and Atmosfy helps brands convert this high-intent audience at scale. According to Atmosfy's latest State of the Market report, Gen Z's travel decisions are accelerating toward social-first, video-led platforms that blur the lines between inspiration and action. Users are three times more likely to make a purchase after watching video content, and 56% say they rely on friends and creators to guide real-world decisions. That behavior is translating into more spontaneous travel patterns – over 30% of Gen Z travelers now book flights less than a week in advance, and 44% make last-minute hotel bookings. As planning cycles shrink, Atmosfy's All-Access Pass rewards real-time discovery with instant perks and builds long-term loyalty around the creators, content, and communities Gen Z trusts. With travel bookings on Atmosfy up 3x year-over-year in 2025, Gen Z increasingly prioritizes spontaneous and video-led decision-making. The platform expects this growth to accelerate through 2026 as more users unlock real-world savings and brands embrace performance-based campaigns driven by social discovery. Atmosfy is actively expanding its global partner network to make millions of experiences instantly bookable on the platform while also offering rewards through the All-Access Pass to the platform's engaged audience. With marquee partners like Capital One, Expedia, and Tock already on board, Atmosfy is shaping the next generation of travel and commerce and delivering unmatched savings, reach, and loyalty. To explore partnership opportunities, visit or reach out to partnerships@ About Atmosfy Atmosfy is the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travel, dining, and experiences, spanning over 250 million discoveries across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. The company is backed by venture firms including Redpoint Ventures, Village Global, Canaan Partners, Industry Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, Palm Tree Crew, and others. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Press Contact:Cassie Lawrencecassie@
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Capital One-Backed Atmosfy Launches 10% Cash Back on Travel and Experiences
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 4, 2025-- Atmosfy, the leading video platform for reviewing live dining, nightlife, and travel experiences, today announced the launch of the All-Access Pass by Atmosfy, an in-app rewards engine that markets travel, experiences and more. Following a recent investment from Capital One Ventures, the new rewards engine will continue the company's mission of powering the next generation of real-world discovery. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Atmosfy, the leading video platform for reviewing live dining, nightlife, and travel experiences, announces the launch of the All-Access Pass by Atmosfy, an in-app rewards engine that markets travel, experiences and more. All-Access Pass features Expedia-powered hotel inventory and brand integrations across dining, nightlife, and experiences. Atmosfy users now earn 10% cash back on over 3.5 million global properties, plus access to curated perks from marquee partners, including Tock. 'As the go-to platform for Gen Z discovery, we're proud to partner with the world's largest travel brands like Capital One, Tock, and Expedia to unlock meaningful savings across hotels, restaurants, and experiences,' said Michael Ebel, Founder & CEO of Atmosfy. 'We're not just helping users find where to go, we're helping them save when they get there. Atmosfy is fueling global experiences, offering inspiration, connection, and rewards that help the next generation experience more of the world.' To date, over 250 million experiences have been discovered on Atmosfy across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. As the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travelers, Atmosfy is redefining how the next generation explores the world by favoring immersive, authentic video content over static reviews. Gen Z already contributes over $150 billion annually to the global travel market, and Atmosfy helps brands convert this high-intent audience at scale. According to Atmosfy's latest State of the Market report, Gen Z's travel decisions are accelerating toward social-first, video-led platforms that blur the lines between inspiration and action. Users are three times more likely to make a purchase after watching video content, and 56% say they rely on friends and creators to guide real-world decisions. That behavior is translating into more spontaneous travel patterns – over 30% of Gen Z travelers now book flights less than a week in advance, and 44% make last-minute hotel bookings. As planning cycles shrink, Atmosfy's All-Access Pass rewards real-time discovery with instant perks and builds long-term loyalty around the creators, content, and communities Gen Z trusts. With travel bookings on Atmosfy up 3x year-over-year in 2025, Gen Z increasingly prioritizes spontaneous and video-led decision-making. The platform expects this growth to accelerate through 2026 as more users unlock real-world savings and brands embrace performance-based campaigns driven by social discovery. Atmosfy is actively expanding its global partner network to make millions of experiences instantly bookable on the platform while also offering rewards through the All-Access Pass to the platform's engaged audience. With marquee partners like Capital One, Expedia, and Tock already on board, Atmosfy is shaping the next generation of travel and commerce and delivering unmatched savings, reach, and loyalty. To explore partnership opportunities, visit or reach out to [email protected]. About Atmosfy Atmosfy is the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travel, dining, and experiences, spanning over 250 million discoveries across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. The company is backed by venture firms including Redpoint Ventures, Village Global, Canaan Partners, Industry Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, Palm Tree Crew, and others. Learn more at View source version on CONTACT: Press Contact: Cassie Lawrence [email protected] KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GENERATION Z AIR AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSPORT OTHER ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE BANKING CONSUMER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT VACATION OTHER TRAVEL GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT APPS/APPLICATIONS LODGING DESTINATIONS TRAVEL SOURCE: Atmosfy Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/04/2025 08:03 AM/DISC: 06/04/2025 08:02 AM
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Capital One-Backed Atmosfy Launches 10% Cash Back on Travel and Experiences
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atmosfy, the leading video platform for reviewing live dining, nightlife, and travel experiences, today announced the launch of the All-Access Pass by Atmosfy, an in-app rewards engine that markets travel, experiences and more. Following a recent investment from Capital One Ventures, the new rewards engine will continue the company's mission of powering the next generation of real-world discovery. All-Access Pass features Expedia-powered hotel inventory and brand integrations across dining, nightlife, and experiences. Atmosfy users now earn 10% cash back on over 3.5 million global properties, plus access to curated perks from marquee partners, including Tock. 'As the go-to platform for Gen Z discovery, we're proud to partner with the world's largest travel brands like Capital One, Tock, and Expedia to unlock meaningful savings across hotels, restaurants, and experiences,' said Michael Ebel, Founder & CEO of Atmosfy. 'We're not just helping users find where to go, we're helping them save when they get there. Atmosfy is fueling global experiences, offering inspiration, connection, and rewards that help the next generation experience more of the world.' To date, over 250 million experiences have been discovered on Atmosfy across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. As the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travelers, Atmosfy is redefining how the next generation explores the world by favoring immersive, authentic video content over static reviews. Gen Z already contributes over $150 billion annually to the global travel market, and Atmosfy helps brands convert this high-intent audience at scale. According to Atmosfy's latest State of the Market report, Gen Z's travel decisions are accelerating toward social-first, video-led platforms that blur the lines between inspiration and action. Users are three times more likely to make a purchase after watching video content, and 56% say they rely on friends and creators to guide real-world decisions. That behavior is translating into more spontaneous travel patterns – over 30% of Gen Z travelers now book flights less than a week in advance, and 44% make last-minute hotel bookings. As planning cycles shrink, Atmosfy's All-Access Pass rewards real-time discovery with instant perks and builds long-term loyalty around the creators, content, and communities Gen Z trusts. With travel bookings on Atmosfy up 3x year-over-year in 2025, Gen Z increasingly prioritizes spontaneous and video-led decision-making. The platform expects this growth to accelerate through 2026 as more users unlock real-world savings and brands embrace performance-based campaigns driven by social discovery. Atmosfy is actively expanding its global partner network to make millions of experiences instantly bookable on the platform while also offering rewards through the All-Access Pass to the platform's engaged audience. With marquee partners like Capital One, Expedia, and Tock already on board, Atmosfy is shaping the next generation of travel and commerce and delivering unmatched savings, reach, and loyalty. To explore partnership opportunities, visit or reach out to partnerships@ Atmosfy is the leading video discovery platform for Gen Z travel, dining, and experiences, spanning over 250 million discoveries across 10,000 cities and 150 countries. The company is backed by venture firms including Redpoint Ventures, Village Global, Canaan Partners, Industry Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, Palm Tree Crew, and others. Learn more at
