When the going gets tough, the hospitality industry gets going. In the face of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, it’s been inspiring to see how the city’s restaurants have stepped up to the plate to provide homegrown relief to their communities. Through various initiatives, OpenTable is pledging to commit over $1 million in support of the industry’s relief efforts and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with restaurants in this community that make our business possible.
Even in the best of times, restaurants operate on thin margins, and at the time of publication, dining in Los Angeles was down 50% YoY*. CNN reported that over 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and at least 130,000 residents are under evacuation order. All of LA’s restaurants—even those safely away from the fires—are stretched thin.
We’ve been talking to our restaurant partners about the best ways to help, and here’s what we’ve heard: support relief efforts, encourage people to dine, and help restaurants lower their operating costs. So that’s what we’re going to do—here’s how you can join us.
Dine out to help out
OpenTable is launching a donation campaign to help restaurants and hospitality workers in LA affected by the wildfires.
How you can help: If you’re local, make a reservation and dine* out at any Los Angeles restaurant from 2/19—3/5 and OpenTable will make a donation to Restaurants Care to support wildfire relief for hospitality workers.
And if you’re not nearby, you can still make a difference by donating your OpenTable dining points to Restaurants Care if you have 200 points or greater in your account.
*See terms and conditions here.
Financially support the restaurants that are helping their communities
OpenTable is contributing $100,000 to distribute to our LA-based restaurant partners that have sprung into action to provide relief efforts and feed those affected by the wildfires. These funds will help them offset the cost of ingredients, supplies, and staffing as they provide meals for those in need and continue to contribute to on-the-ground relief and rebuilding.
Taking the pressure off our partners
OpenTable is waiving monthly subscription fees from January 2025 through April 2025 for all of our Los Angeles county restaurants—we know you have more important things to think about right now.
Encouraging those who can to support local restaurants
From making a reservation to simply buying merch, your favorite restaurants need your support more than ever. OpenTable will be using our channels to encourage Angelenos who are able to go visit their local spots and use our vast diner network to fill seats. The trickledown effect of declining business means that even employees who have been lucky enough to live far from the fires are now worried about their livelihoods, and the destruction of restaurants from the wildfires means that there is suddenly a massive number of hospitality workers who will be forced to look for work.
How you can help: Dine at your favorite restaurant, order takeout, buy gift cards!
Supporting and amplifying fundraisers
OpenTable is working with restaurants around the country that are highlighting relief efforts and supporting the restaurant industry in LA.
How you can help: Get tickets for events near you and spread the word to friends and family.
Partner contributions
OpenTable’s parent company, Booking Holdings Inc. (BHI), has committed $100,000 to support World Central Kitchen and the LA Regional American Red Cross to help provide even more immediate, on-the-ground relief like meals and emergency assistance.
Together, we can help the Los Angeles restaurant community recover and thrive while ensuring vital resources reach those impacted by the wildfires—we hope you’ll join us.
- Based on estimates from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (1/14/25, source: https://www.cnn.com/us/maps-damage-los-angeles-wildfires-dg/index.html)
*Comparing the periods of 1/7/24-1/14/24 to the current year.
