Nation's Most Popular Restaurant Deal Site Adds More Than One Million Verified Diner Reviews

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant.com, the nation's largest restaurant deal site with more than 45,000 deals available every day, makes it easier for diners and deal seekers to find a five-star meal for less with the addition of more than one million Restaurant.com Verified Diner Reviews.  Research released by the NPD Group in June 2012, revealed that online reviews influence dining decisions especially for new or not widely known restaurants. The Restaurant.com Verified Diner Reviews make the decision of where to eat even easier, because consumers can rely on the authenticity of the reviews; all Restaurant.com reviews are posted by verified diners. Restaurant.com also has simplified the search process on its website, allowing diners to browse local eateries and deals by star ratings and locations.

"Restaurant.com Verified Diner Reviews make it easy for consumers to find local favorites and share their opinions with millions of fellow diners," said Christopher Krohn, president and chief marketing officer, Restaurant.com. "Our stars are awarded by diners, not anonymous Web users, making Restaurant.com the place to go for honest feedback on where to eat."

Following validation of a Restaurant.com certificate, the diner that purchased the deal is prompted to award the restaurant a star rating and post their feedback. Only individuals that purchased and redeemed a Restaurant.com certificate at that restaurant are invited to submit reviews. This verification process ensures the reviews are not written by competitors, proprietors, or others with a biased agenda. Restaurant.com reviews are centered on the restaurant experience.

"We know people love the Restaurant.com savings and now they can more easily find a deal on top-rated restaurants," added Krohn. 

To ensure the integrity of the restaurant review, all Restaurant.com Verified Diner Reviews meet the following standards:

• The diner is required to purchase a Restaurant.com certificate and the restaurant must validate the certificate prior to the diner receiving an invitation to review the restaurant.
• The diner must complete the email review and short survey, including the assignment of a 1 – 5 star rating.
• Restaurant.com reviews are centered on the dining experience.  For example, if the review is about the great deal or a bad date rather than the restaurant itself, it may not be posted.  If it is about the food, the ambiance, the service, it is posted for everyone to see. 

These focused reviews give consumers the real dish on a restaurant from the people that know it best – previous verified diners. On average, Restaurant.com reviews score 1.16 stars higher in ratings than the same establishment featured on the country's most popular review site. This is because Restaurant.com prompts all diners, not just serial reviewers, to share their experiences. 

"Dining is a shared experience, Restaurant.com now makes it easier to share experiences with millions while making it easier for consumers discover great restaurants," said Krohn.  "Restaurant.com is also making it easier to find more locations around the corner or around the country with updated search features."

The new search functionality allows consumers to more easily search the Restaurant.com deal database by location or by star rating.

For more information on Restaurant.com or to download the mobile apps, visit www.restaurant.com.

About Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. The company offers savings at more than 18,000 restaurants nationwide with more than 45,000 gift certificate options. Restaurant.com brings people together to relax, converse and enjoy well-prepared and -served meals at affordable prices. To date, Restaurant.com customers have saved more than $500 million through the gift certificate program. Restaurant.com has operated since 1999 and is based in Arlington Heights, Ill.

SOURCE Restaurant.com