The Priceline Group Is Buying OpenTable For $2.6 Billion

The Priceline Group has announced that it is buying OpenTable for $2.6 billion, making this the first time that the travel company, which also owns Kayak and Booking.com, has ventured into the world of restaurant reservations.

"For us it's a really natural extension," Priceline's chief executive Darren Huston told The New York Times. "A lot of what we do day to day is very similar."

OpenTable's CEO, Matthew Roberts, has assured The Daily Meal that the day-to-day operations of OpenTable will not change.

"OpenTable will continue to operate as an independent brand focused on providing you with great dining experiences," Roberts said. "Everything you love about OpenTable will stay the way you like it: free, easy-to-use, and constantly improving. You'll have the same real-time availability at more than 31,000 restaurants worldwide, the same convenient mobile apps, and the same rewarding points program."

The deal is expected to close in September, but nothing has been finalized yet.

For the latest happenings in the food and drink world, visit our Food News page.

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi