Network18 makes Burrp exit, sells it to investee BookMyShow

After acquiring Mumbai-based food and restaurant recommendation platform Burrp in 2009, Network18 has made an exit from the company and sold it to the online movie and event ticketing company BookMyShow in an all cash deal, as reported by the financial daily ET. Network18 is also an investor in BookMyShow.

The deal will also witness the full absorption of Burrp’s employees and existing restaurant partnerships by BookMyShow.

Commenting on the integration between movie and food, Mansi Vora, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at BookMyShow said, "Movie going in India is a social activity and food is an integral part of it. This is where Burrp fits in for us, which currently lists over 60,000 restaurants across 14 cities. We also look forward to benefitting from their experience, technology and partnerships to offer a superior and comprehensive offering to our users.”

The online movie and event ticketing company has been exploring the food business simultaneously. Currently, it offers users the option to pre-book their food and beverages at cinemas while booking their movie tickets on the platform.

Besides, it also offers free discount coupons that can be availed at popular restaurants & cafes in the vicinity of the cinema. Its MyCoupons offering is now present in over 80 cities across India.

Burrp, however, will continue to run as a separate business and will not be a part of any of the movie ticketing platform's F&B led businesses such as concessions or MyCoupons.

BookMyShow has partnered with over 2,100 food retail brands including McDonald's, Chaayos, Mainland China, Dunkin Donuts, Barbeque Nation and Subway among others to cover over 6400 outlets around 1100 cinemas in these cities.

Burrp recently ventured into offer redemption and couponing, along with ticketing of F&B events, which will add significant value to BookMyShow's allied offerings.