Germany's Metro Group has acquired a stake in technology startup Orderbird, a provider of iPad-based POS systems for restaurants.
Metro Group and growth equity investor Digital+ Partners have invested a total of €16.5 million into Orderbird, signalling its intent to "consistently pursue its policy of becoming a one stop shop partner for its customers from the hotel and restaurant business", according to a company statement.
"With this partnership, Orderbird and Metro pursue a common goal: making restaurant businesses more successful with the help of digital solutions", said Olaf Koch, chairman of the management board of Metro AG.
"By acquiring a stake in Orderbird, we are taking another important step towards our goal of offering value added for our customers through digital solutions. In this process, we will contribute both our industry expertise and our access to a large custom base."
The Berlin-based startup, founded in 2011, provides iPad POS systems for bars and restaurants, allowing for quick delivery of orders processed on via the restaurant's wifi.
Metro Group has already shown its interest in promoting the digitalisation of the hospitality industry, when in 2015 it launched its 'Metro Accelerator powered by Techstars' for start-ups offering digital solutions for the HoReCa sector.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by John Golden. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
