American Express Ready to Acquire The Fork: $700 Million Deal Reached

American Express has announced a proposal to acquire TheFork, one of the leading European platforms dedicated to restaurant booking and management. The operation involves the purchase of the company from Tripadvisor through a cash deal valued at $700 million, subject to the usual regulatory approvals and required procedures.

Founded in 2007, TheFork operates in 11 European countries and connects millions of users with over 50,000 restaurants through a platform that integrates reservation management tools, customer engagement, and operational activity optimization. The company also offers an application and a website dedicated to discovering and booking restaurants.

The proposed acquisition fits into American Express's ongoing expansion strategy in the restaurant sector that has already been underway in recent years. The company has integrated digital platforms like Resy and Tock into its ecosystem. With the addition of TheFork, the overall network could reach approximately 75,000 bookable locations, according to internal estimates released by the involved companies.

For American Express, the dining segment represents a significant component of the offerings for cardholders. The integration of TheFork would further expand the services available in Europe and provide new opportunities to identify, book, and access highly sought-after restaurants. At the same time, the platform could benefit from the international presence and resources of the U.S. group.

"TheFork has built a successful platform across Europe, with strong relationships in the restaurant sector, which would complement our existing capabilities. We look forward to supporting TheFork's continued growth and consolidating its success while strengthening our presence in the restaurant sector across Europe," explained Rafa Marquez, President of American Express's International Card Services.

"TheFork was created to help restaurants thrive and to make it easier for customers to discover and enjoy great restaurants," stated Almir Ambeskovic, CEO of TheFork. "With the support of Tripadvisor, we have created one of the leading dining platforms in Europe. American Express shares our commitment to innovation, service, and hospitality. Together, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate our mission, offering even more value to restaurants and creating richer and smoother experiences for millions of customers across Europe."

After the completion of the operation, expected by the end of 2026, TheFork will continue to operate with its current management team. However, the company will be able to count on the support and global reach of American Express to sustain future growth and strengthen its presence in the European digital restaurant market.