23 Jul 2013

Zomato aims at Kiwi diners

9:35 am on 23 July 2013

An Indian-based online restaurant directory has launched in New Zealand to provide information on more than 4500 eateries in Auckland and Wellington.

Zomato started in New Delhi five years ago and is now represented in eight countries, employs nearly 300 people and has an annual turnover of US$2 million.

Co-founder Pankaj Chaddah says Auckland in particular is a great market for the company, with more than 3500 restaurants. He hopes to employ about 25 staff in New Zealand.

He explains the company makes money by selling advertising space on the site to restauranteurs once a critical mass of viewing traffic has been achieved.

Mr Chaddah says the Zomato website and app get more than 14 million users a month.

He says the site's point of difference is its up-to-date and detailed information on restaurants, with contact details, prices, a scanned copy of the menu, pictures and directions included on the site.