Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 15
American Express Buys TheFork for $700 Million, Expanding Dining Network to 75,000 Venues
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 15

American Express Buys TheFork for $700 Million, Expanding Dining Network to 75,000 Venues

3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 15

Summary

  • $700 million in cash will buy Tripadvisor's restaurant-booking unit TheFork, a deal expected to close before the end of 2026 and one that sent Tripadvisor shares up 7%.
  • American Express said the acquisition will lift its dining network to 75,000 bookable venues and deepen its international business, extending its earlier dining-platform buys of Resy and Tock.
  • The sale lets Tripadvisor sharpen its experiences-led overhaul after activist Starboard Value pushed last October for a TheFork divestiture amid a slow post-pandemic recovery and intense competition.
  • TheFork generated $232 million of revenue in the year ended March 31, up 25%, and connects millions of diners with more than 50,000 restaurants across 11 European countries.

Insights

After selling TheFork, can Tripadvisor's pivot to 'experiences' survive against giants like Airbnb and Booking?
Is Amex building a monopoly on premium dining, or an integration nightmare with its third platform buy?