American Express buys TheFork from Tripadvisor for $700M

American Express agreed to get TheFork, Tripadvisor's European edifice booking platform, for $700 cardinal successful an all-cash transaction, the companies said connected Monday.

The level operates successful 11 European countries, giving diners entree to a web of much than 50,000 restaurants. With the purchase, American Express would bring its full bookable eating venues to 75,000, adding to a portfolio that already includes the Resy and Tock platforms, according to Reuters. Tripadvisor banal roseate 7% successful greeting trading pursuing the announcement.

For Tripadvisor, the merchantability follows a Feb. 2026 announcement that the institution would research strategical alternatives for TheFork. The transaction allows Tripadvisor to ore connected its experiences-focused strategy, the institution said. Potential uses of the proceeds see stock repurchases, indebtedness reduction, oregon concern successful the experiences business.

TheFork generated $232 cardinal successful gross and $28 cardinal successful adjusted EBITDA for the 12 months ended March 31, 2026, the institution said.

"This statement reflects 2 things we judge deeply: The tangible worth crossed Tripadvisor Group's portfolio and our ongoing absorption connected the accidental we spot up successful Experiences," Tripadvisor Group CEO Matt Goldberg said successful a statement.

American Express Chairman and CEO Stephen Squeri said the woody besides opens opportunities to deepen the company's narration with Tripadvisor. "By gathering connected our shared strengths crossed dining, travel, and experiences, we person opportunities to make adjacent greater worth for customers and partners," Squeri said successful a statement.

Rafa Marquez, president of planetary paper services astatine American Express, said eating was cardinal to however customers prosecute with the brand.

The existent enactment squad astatine TheFork is expected to stay successful spot erstwhile the acquisition is complete. The transaction is expected to adjacent earlier the extremity of 2026, taxable to labour consultation and regulatory approvals, the institution said. Tripadvisor said it expects minimal taxation costs from the sale, with nett proceeds expected to intimately approximate gross proceeds.

Goldman Sachs served arsenic fiscal advisor to Tripadvisor and TheFork, with Goodwin Procter LLP and Reed Smith LLP serving arsenic ineligible advisors, the institution said.