Comparison
Menuveo vs TheFork
Two different philosophies for filling your restaurant: marketplace with per-reservation commissions, or an all-in-one platform with a flat monthly fee.
Executive summary
TheFork (ElTenedor) is a well-established reservation marketplace with a large user base —especially among international tourists— and a mature reservation management system. Its model combines a monthly fee with a commission on every reservation processed through the platform, including reservations that come in via Google Reserve. Menuveo, by contrast, is an all-in-one platform built for organic restaurant growth: Google Business Profile, AI-powered daily menu, digital menu, Google Reserve–integrated bookings, and staff time tracking — all under a single flat monthly fee, with no per-reservation commissions. They are two different approaches and it is worth understanding the differences before choosing.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Menuveo | TheFork (ElTenedor) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly fee | Monthly fee + per-reservation commission |
| Commission on Google Reserve bookings | Not applicable | Applies per contract |
| Google Reserve integration | Sí | Sí |
| Reservation system | Sí | Sí |
| Google Business Profile optimization as a service | Sí | No |
| We reply to your Google reviews for you | Sí | No |
| AI daily menu | Sí | No |
| Digital menu on your own domain | Yes, QR + NFC | Basic menu inside the marketplace |
| Staff time tracking (RD 8/2019) | Sí | No |
| Food photography | Sí | No |
| Primary traffic source | Google Maps (organic) | Marketplace user base |
| End customer ownership | Direct to restaurant | Intermediated by platform |
Pros y contras de TheFork (ElTenedor)
TheFork (ElTenedor) strengths
- Mature, consolidated reservation system with years of track record in the industry
- Large user base, especially among international tourists — useful if your restaurant is in a tourist area
- Well-polished floor and availability management tools
- Presence and recognition in the largest reservation marketplace in Europe
Where Menuveo beats TheFork (ElTenedor)
- Pricing combines a monthly fee and a commission on every reservation processed through the platform
- The commission also applies to reservations coming in via Google Reserve, even when the customer reached your Google listing through your own organic ranking
- In-marketplace customer acquisition tends to rely on discounts and promotions, which can affect your pricing strategy
- Customers reach your restaurant intermediated by the platform, not directly through your brand
- Does not include Google Business Profile optimization, AI daily menu, staff time tracking, or food photography
Verdict
Both tools have their place. If your priority is being present inside the largest restaurant reservation marketplace in Europe and you accept sharing margin per booking in exchange for that visibility, TheFork is a legitimate option with decades of track record. If instead you want every customer who books at your restaurant to be a direct result of your own Google ranking, arriving without intermediaries, and prefer a flat-fee relationship with no variable charges, Menuveo is designed precisely for that. The underlying decision is not "which is better" but "do I want to pay per customer or a flat infrastructure fee". The numbers depend on your reservation volume — the most useful thing is to run the math with your actual case.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Menuveo and TheFork at the same time?
It depends on the module. Running two reservation systems in parallel does not make sense because availability would get out of sync (double bookings, slots available in one system but not the other). What you can do is use TheFork as an acquisition channel and Menuveo for everything else —Google Business Profile, AI daily menu, digital menu, time tracking— and in the reservation module you have to pick which of the two manages availability.
Does Menuveo charge commissions on reservations?
No. Menuveo's model is a single flat monthly fee. No per-reservation commissions, no per-cover charges, no variables. Every customer who walks in means zero additional cost to you.
Does TheFork also integrate with Google Reserve? How is it different from Menuveo?
Yes, TheFork offers Google Reserve integration. The difference is in the commercial model: reservations that come in via Google Reserve through TheFork still fall under its commission model, according to your contract. In Menuveo those same reservations come in under the flat fee, with no additional per-booking charges. Review your current TheFork contract to see exactly how commissions apply to Google Reserve bookings.
What commission percentage does TheFork typically charge?
In the industry it typically sits between 10% and 12% of the reservation amount processed, in addition to the monthly fee. The exact percentage, calculation base, and specific conditions depend on the plan and establishment type — we recommend reviewing your current TheFork contract for the precise figures of your case.
How do I know how much I would save by switching to Menuveo?
Run the numbers with your real data: add up what you pay TheFork every month between flat fee and commissions (check the last 3 invoices). Compare that to Menuveo's flat monthly fee. If you need help with the calculation, contact us and we will look at it together with your restaurant's real numbers.
Ready to make the switch?
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