American Express Thefork Acquisition News: Amex Plans Deal for 50,000 Clients
American Express Thefork Acquisition News opened with a proposal, not a done deal. American Express plans to acquire TheFork, the Paris-based restaurant technology firm with more than 50,000 clients across 11 European countries. The transaction is still subject to labor consultation and regulatory approvals, and the company hopes to close it in 2026.
Rafa Marquez on dining access
Rafa Marquez, president of international card services at Amex, said, “Dining is one of the most important ways people engage with our brand.” He added, “Over time, the proposed acquisition would help us enrich our differentiated Membership Model by offering Card Members more ways to discover, book and access great restaurants, while helping our partners reach more diners and grow their businesses.”
50,000-plus restaurant clients give TheFork an operating base that fits Amex’s restaurant push. The company sells online reservations and management tools, and American Express already owns restaurant technology companies Resy and Tock. TheFork was founded in 2007 and is currently owned by Tripadvisor.
Amex expands its restaurant stack
11 European countries is the footprint Amex would gain through TheFork, extending its dining tools beyond the United States into a wider regional market. William Blair analysts said TheFork’s European presence extends the Resy playbook to Amex’s expansion efforts in Europe, tying the deal to a broader effort already underway inside the card company.
57% of international card revenue comes from Amex’s top 15 countries, while the top 5 account for 33%, according to William Blair analysts. They also said international members spend four times the industry average and that Amex’s international segment has seen the highest billing growth across the business. The same analysts said FX-adjusted growth in that segment has run 12% to 13% in each of the last five quarters.
2026 close and guidance
9% to 10% revenue growth and EPS of $17.30 to $17.90 are the full-year 2026 targets Amex recently reaffirmed, alongside plans to increase spending on marketing and technology. If the acquisition clears labor consultation and regulators, TheFork would continue to operate under its existing leadership team after the close. That leaves Amex with the same immediate question every buyer faces in a regulated deal: whether the expansion closes on schedule and converts its restaurant technology strategy into a wider European footprint.
