American Express takes control of TheFork
US financial services group American Express (NYSE: AXP) officially completed the acquisition of TheFork, the European restaurant booking and management platform, from Tripadvisor (NASDAQ: TRIP) on 2 November 2026.
The previously announced transaction marks another step in American Express’s strategy to diversify its services around dining and the experiences offered to its cardmembers.
Founded in 2007, TheFork connects millions of consumers with more than 50,000 restaurants across 11 European countries.
The platform provides consumers with an app and website for restaurant discovery and reservations, alongside professional tools for reservation management, customer relationship management and operational optimisation.
The transaction value was not disclosed in the announcement confirming its completion.
A global network of more than 75,000 bookable restaurants
With this acquisition, American Express expands its portfolio of specialist restaurant platforms, which already includes Resy and Tock.
Combining these three businesses is expected to give the group a global network of more than 75,000 bookable venues.
This figure is based on internal estimates by American Express and TheFork as of October 2026. The group notes that the methods used to count venues may differ between platforms.
For American Express, the objective is to broaden access to dining within its service offering and strengthen the benefits associated with its cards.
The strategy also aims to deepen commercial relationships with restaurant operators by giving them access to a wider customer base and digital management tools.
TheFork retains its existing leadership team
American Express has confirmed that TheFork will continue operating under its current management team.
At the same time, the platform will benefit from the international reach and resources of the US group.
Rafa Marquez, President of International Card Services at American Express, emphasises that the acquisition will progressively enable cardmembers to discover and book more restaurants across Europe.
He also highlights the opportunities for participating restaurants to attract new customers and grow their businesses.
No immediate changes to TheFork’s commercial identity or operational organisation have been announced.
A strategy extending beyond payment services
The acquisition of TheFork forms part of a broader evolution in American Express’s business model.
Historically focused on payments, cards and financial services, the group is developing an ecosystem encompassing travel, dining and leisure experiences.
Restaurant reservations represent an additional point of contact with consumers, even before a payment transaction takes place.
They also provide an opportunity to increase engagement with card-related services and offer differentiated experiences to members of the American Express network.
With TheFork, the group significantly strengthens its European coverage, complementing the positions established through Resy and Tock.
For restaurant operators, the combination could eventually create new opportunities to increase visibility and attract customers, particularly international diners.
However, the practical arrangements for this commercial integration have yet to be detailed.
LTH Analysis | Restaurant reservations become a strategic asset for payment groups
American Express’s acquisition of TheFork illustrates the growing convergence of payments, distribution and customer relationships within the hospitality industry.
The significance of the transaction extends beyond the number of participating restaurants.
By controlling several reservation platforms, American Express positions itself at a strategic stage of the customer journey: the moment when consumers select a restaurant and plan their visit.
This presence upstream of the payment transaction could strengthen the group’s ability to offer targeted services, increase cardmember loyalty and develop commercial relationships with restaurant operators.
For TheFork, integration into American Express could provide a platform for international expansion, although its operations remain predominantly concentrated in Europe for the time being.
For restaurant operators, including hotel restaurants, the transaction raises several important issues: customer acquisition, distribution cost control, loyalty and the management of commercial data.
It could also intensify competition between specialist booking platforms and restaurants’ own direct reservation systems.
The commercial terms offered to restaurant operators will be decisive in assessing the practical consequences of the combination.
Through TheFork, Resy and Tock, American Express is building an ecosystem in which restaurant reservations become an extension of its relationship with cardmembers.
This strategy confirms that booking platforms are no longer simply commercial intermediaries: they have become strategic assets for groups seeking greater influence over the customer journey.
At a Glance
Transaction: American Express completes its acquisition of TheFork from Tripadvisor.
Completion date: 2 November 2026.
European footprint: More than 50,000 restaurant partners across 11 countries.
Combined network: TheFork, Resy and Tock are expected to represent over 75,000 bookable venues worldwide.
Management: TheFork retains its existing leadership team.
Strategic objective: Strengthening American Express’s dining proposition, customer engagement and restaurant partnerships.
