TripAdvisor set for third acquisition in a week

TripAdvisor is set to make its third acquisition in little over a week.

TripAdvisor is set to make its third acquisition in little over a week.

The online search giant plans to take over online restaurant booking platform lafourchette, which has a network of more than 12,000 restaurant partners across Europe.

Based in Paris, lafourchette operates the ‘eltenedor’ brand in Spanish and ‘thefork’ in English.

The business claims to be the leading online and mobile reservation platform for restaurants in France, Spain and Switzerland.

The company also offers management software solutions helping restaurants to maximise online business by providing a flexible booking, discount and data tool.

The proposed deal, for an undisclosed sum, follows TripAdvisor acquiring Vacation Home Rentals and UK travel community TripBod.

The exclusive offer to acquire lafourchette, which has been majority owned by Otium Capital since 2009, has also been signed by shareholders.

The parties intend to finalise the transaction shortly after the legal and administrative requirements have been completed.

Lafourchette and its staff will continue to work from the company’s existing European offices, with headquarters in Paris and Barcelona.

TripAdvisor president and chie executive Stephen Kaufer said: “Lafourchette has an unparalleled network across Europe and has developed strong relationships with its restaurant partners.

“As a global company, we look forward to strengthening the lafourchette brand and working together to enhance the TripAdvisor restaurant offering for users.”

Lafourchette chief executive Bertrand Jelensperger said: “This deal would allow us to tap into TripAdvisor’s huge global scale to drive more diners into restaurants and investment capital to expand aggressively into new markets.”