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Bill

Bill

S 1197

Bans unauthorized restaurant reservation arrangement by third-party reservation service.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Corrado

New Jersey bill bars unauthorized third-party platforms from booking restaurant reservations without explicit restaurant permission, protecting dining establishments from unwanted intermediary interference.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1197

Legislative bill overview

S 1197 prohibits third-party reservation services from making restaurant reservations without explicit authorization from the restaurant. The bill establishes penalties for unauthorized booking activities by intermediary platforms and services that arrange dining reservations on behalf of customers.

Why is this important

Third-party reservation aggregators (like some online booking platforms) sometimes book tables at restaurants without formal agreements, creating operational chaos for restaurant managers, no-shows, and revenue loss. This bill protects independent restaurants from having their reservation systems manipulated by unauthorized services and gives them control over their own booking data and customer relationships.

Potential points of contention

  • Free market vs. regulation: Tech industry advocates may argue this restricts legitimate business innovation and competitive reservation platforms, while restaurants argue they need protection from predatory practices
  • Enforcement challenges: Determining what constitutes "explicit authorization" and enforcing penalties against out-of-state or international services could prove difficult and costly
  • Consumer impact: If legitimate reservation services are restricted, diners may have fewer convenient booking options, particularly for smaller restaurants not on major platforms like OpenTable or Resy

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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