Ben Leventhal Launches Blackbird to Enhance Restaurant Loyalty and Payment Systems

Ben Leventhal, co-founder of Eater and Resy, is spearheading a new initiative aimed at strengthening connections between restaurants and their patrons through a loyalty app called Blackbird. Recently, Blackbird introduced a payment processing feature, Blackbird Pay, which allows diners to settle their bills directly within the app using credit cards or cryptocurrency at any point during their meal. This innovation seeks to streamline the dining experience by eliminating the traditional wait for the check. Despite the potential benefits, some users have encountered challenges. For instance, one user, Yu, has accumulated over 17,000 $FLY points through the app, equivalent to approximately $170, but has struggled to find participating restaurants that accept this form of payment. Additionally, the rollout of Blackbird Pay has been limited, with only a few restaurants testing the system, leading to confusion among staff regarding its use. Leventhal emphasizes that Blackbird Pay could significantly improve the dining experience by reducing wait times for checks. The platform offers a competitive fee structure, charging restaurants a flat 2% compared to the typical 3.75% credit card fees. However, the success of Blackbird hinges on restaurant adoption of $FLY, as its value within the ecosystem may diminish if few establishments choose to accept it. As Blackbird navigates the intersection of loyalty programs and cryptocurrency, Leventhal remains optimistic about leveraging blockchain technology to enhance customer engagement and restaurant operations.