Restorando

Restorando emerged in 2011, establishing itself as a significant online restaurant reservation platform in Latin America. The company was founded by Argentinian entrepreneurs Frank Martin and Franco Silvetti, who identified a gap in the market for a digital solution to connect diners with restaurants. Their business model was centered on providing a free, user-friendly application for diners while charging restaurants a fee only when a reservation was fulfilled. Additionally, Restorando offered a professional software version for restaurants to manage reservations, communicate promotions, and offer exclusive discounts.

The platform operated by allowing users to search for restaurants using various filters like cuisine type, location, and price, and then book a table directly. For restaurant clients, the service provided a new sales channel to promote available tables and optimize revenue. This approach catered to a growing digital-savvy population in Latin America, focusing on the top-tier restaurants to ensure quality and availability. The company expanded its footprint across eight countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, growing to serve over 4.5 million diners annually across a network of 3,500 restaurants.

A significant milestone in Restorando's history was its acquisition by TheFork, a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, in February 2019. This strategic move allowed TheFork to consolidate its presence and leadership in the Latin American market. Following the acquisition, Frank Martin transitioned to the role of CEO of TheFork for Latin America, with Franco Silvetti becoming the Director of Product, ensuring their continued involvement in the platform's evolution. The Restorando brand was eventually phased out and integrated into TheFork's global platform.

Keywords: restaurant reservations, Latin America, online marketplace, hospitality tech, table booking, restaurant management software, diner platform, food tech, acquisition, digital dining