Resy and Eater: Ben Leventhal

In this episode of How I Built This, host Guy Raz interviews Ben Leventhal, the founder of Blackbird Labs and co-founder of Eater and Resi. Leventhal discusses the complexities of the restaurant industry, noting how it is far more complicated than many small businesses, given the numerous moving parts involved in food production and delivery. Initially, he started writing a blog about New York City restaurants that evolved into Eater, which highlighted restaurant culture with a unique voice and a focus on experiences rather than just food reviews.

After Eater, Leventhal founded Resi, inspired by the difficulties restaurant owners faced in filling tables. The original idea was to implement a surge pricing model for reservations, similar to ride-sharing apps. However, after realizing that this model wasn’t sustainable, the team pivoted to offer reservation management software, allowing restaurants to take control of their bookings without incurring heavy fees.

During the episode, Leventhal reflects on key moments of growth for Resi, including partnerships with Airbnb and developing features that met the needs of restaurants. This transition ultimately led to the acquisition of Resi by American Express for approximately $200 million. Following this, Leventhal moved towards his new venture, Blackbird, which functions as a loyalty program and aims to create a unified currency for restaurant patrons. He emphasizes the magic of restaurants and their experience and shares his vision for revolutionizing the restaurant economy through Blackbird.