London-based Quandoo, the fastest growing online restaurant reservation service in Europe, has secured its 3,000th restaurant partner in the UK.
Since launching in March 2014, Quandoo has already become the largest provider of restaurants for online reservations in five of the six biggest cities in the UK. Following the company’s acquisition by Japan-based Recruit Holdings in March 2015, the company has embarked on an aggressive expansion plan as it looks to consolidate the number one market position across Europe.
The company equaled its annual UK performance in 2015 by May this year, having seated 2.8 million guests in its partner restaurants, more than the total number of guests it seated in 2015. Similarly, over 900,000 reservations have already been made through the portal this year, eclipsing the 700,000 made in the UK in 2015.
Matt Simpkin, VP Western Europe at Quandoo, commented, “We have made incredible progress in the first half of 2016 and I am delighted with the momentum we’re building. We’re currently experiencing of a culinary boom in the UK, with foodies across the country making the most of the diverse food cultures on offer.
'However only a small proportion of the market are currently booking restaurants online. This creates a huge opportunity for us to connect diners with our restaurant partners and make the booking experience as efficient and easy as possible.”
Much of Quandoo’s growth has been down to a growing public appetite for new and exciting culinary experiences. While dining mainstays such as Indian, Chinese and Italian have all grown on the platform, there has been a substantial rise in demand for other exotic cuisines. Reservations for Caribbean restaurants in 2016 have increased by 24 times compared to those in 2015.
Brits have also taken a liking to Thai and Mongolian food, with reservations up 700% and 800% respectively this year. Quandoo’s platform is designed to encourage users to explore the world of food – good timing given that so many Brits are eager to set out for new foodie horizons.
Another source of Quandoo’s growth has been assisting burgeoning restaurant scenes across the country to emerge from under the feet of more established centres on the food and beverage industry map.
While London continues to hold the crown of UK food capital, restaurant bookings in Bristol have soared by 1,800% in 2016 as the foodie wave sweeps the nation. Nearby city Bath has seen a similar trend, with a 1,050% rise. Other cities with growing food scenes include Manchester and Liverpool which have increased in size by 297% and 716%, respectively, in 2016.
Simpkin continued, “It’s exciting to see such diversity in our food habits. These restaurants all add greatly to the cultural richness and diversity on our local high streets across the country.
'We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside some of the best restaurants in the business and are delighted to see such a colourful mix of restaurants join the Quandoo team from across the whole country. We’re committed to work tirelessly to deliver value to our restaurant partners in the years to come and become a valued partner to their business.”
Growth in the UK coincides with wider expansion across territories in Europe and Asia. The company recently celebrated its most successful year since its acquisition by Japan-based Recruit Holdings. Over the next few years, Quandoo will grow and engage its customer base, equipped with a range of new products and services, expand geographically and enhance its portfolio of services offered to both users and restaurateurs.