Eltenedor.es

About Eltenedor.es

Eltenedor.es, which now operates globally as TheFork, is an online restaurant reservation platform that initiated its journey in Spain in 2007. It was co-founded by Spanish entrepreneur Marcos Alves, along with three French partners, who identified a market need to digitize restaurant booking processes. The concept originated in France in 2006 as LaFourchette, born from the challenge a world-renowned chef faced with managing reservations using traditional paper books. The founders, including Bertrand Jelensperger, aimed to create a digital solution, which quickly expanded to Spain with ElTenedor.

The company's business model is structured as a dual-sided marketplace, benefiting both diners and restaurant owners. For consumers, the platform offers a free, convenient way to discover, book, and review restaurants, often with access to significant discounts and promotions. For its restaurant clients, Eltenedor provides a comprehensive restaurant management software, TheFork Manager. This tool replaces the traditional reservation ledger, enabling establishments to manage bookings, optimize seating, build a customer database, and increase their online visibility. Revenue is primarily generated through a commission fee charged to the restaurant for each diner that books and honors a reservation via the platform. Additionally, a subscription-based model exists for more advanced versions of their management software.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by TripAdvisor in May 2014, which significantly accelerated its growth and international expansion. This strategic move allowed Eltenedor to integrate with TripAdvisor's massive user base, driving more diners to its partner restaurants. Before the acquisition, the company had already established itself as a leader in Spain and France. In 2021, to unify its global presence across 22 markets, the brand name ElTenedor was changed to TheFork in Spain, aligning with its international identity. The platform continues to evolve, introducing features like TheFork Pay for in-app payments and providing robust analytics for its restaurant partners.