“You can even book a table at restaurants people used to queue for” ... Naver expands its reservation service

[Financial News] Naver is helping restaurants that previously only took reservations by phone or had customers wait on-site adopt online reservations. The company plans to expand Naver Reservation, focusing on restaurants recommended directly by users, to improve small businesses’ operational efficiency while also bringing more customers to local commercial districts.
On the 6th, industry sources said Naver is running the “Reservation Rookie 2026” campaign to support restaurants’ digital transformation. The campaign’s central aim is to help restaurants that have not yet adopted Naver Reservation introduce online bookings, based on recommendations from users.
Users can recommend restaurants they regularly visit or would like to visit using Naver Reservation. Naver will guide highly ranked restaurants toward adopting its reservation service and offer incentives to encourage participation. A lottery will award 10,000 users who submit recommendations 1,000 won each in NAVER Pay points.
Benefits worth a total of 150 million won are available to restaurant owners. Owners of restaurants ranked among the top 1,000 in user recommendations who adopt Naver Reservation by December 7 will each receive 150,000 won in NAVER Pay points.
The restaurants selected in the final round will also receive additional promotional opportunities. Next year, Naver plans to feature them in the reservation tab on NAVER Map through its “Reservation Rookie” special promotion, expanding their reach to users.
The campaign focuses on helping restaurants use Naver’s digital solutions for not only reservations but also reviews, payments and data management. The aim is to move reservation tasks that relied on phone calls and on-site waiting online, easing owners’ operational burden and making things more convenient for customers.
Naver is also running the “Matdongyeojido” campaign for business owners who already use its reservation service. Each month, the campaign highlights popular restaurants in selected areas such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan and Jeju, and encourages people to visit through Naver Reservation.
Users can earn NAVER Pay points by booking a participating restaurant, visiting it and writing a review. Customers who pay in person at merchants using NAVER Pay (Npay) Connect can also earn an additional 20% of the amount spent, at most.
“Matdongyeojido” began with its “Seongsu-dong and Kondae” edition in May and has now reached its 11th installment. Starting on the 24th, it will present a year-end special covering Seoul, Gyeonggi and Busan. From December 10, it also plans to run a special promotion featuring barbecue restaurants nationwide.

[email protected] Jang Min-kwon Reporter