Squarespace, known for building websites, has increased Tock’s labor force since last year and has begun to leave its mark. Tock moved into a Fulton Market office space . Additionally, earlier this month, TockWhen Kokonas and formerengineer Brian Fitzpatrick launched Tock , it was unheard of for diners to prepay for meals. Kokonas was looking for a way to reduce no-shows. Tock evolved as a product that would introduce dynamic pricing and eliminate tipping in some restaurants.
Alinea — which, Kokonas insists via email, has been “a paying client of Tock’s since day one” — became a case study that Tock brass could show other restaurants across the country, enticing them to sign up, luring them away from online reservations giant OpenTable. Kokonas called OpenTable an antiquated platform, criticizing a lack of features; until recently, restaurants couldn’t add special events, like pop-ups or seating options.
, giving fancy restaurants like Alinea a platform to sell takeaway, something many pedigreed chefs would not have considered. In the process, Tock expanded its client base as other restaurants from different price points joined at least temporarily. Many were contractually bound to OpenTable and Resy for indoor dining reservations. Still, Wrigleyville dive barDuring that panicked spring of 2020, Tock charged restaurants 3 percent per takeout order on its platform.