Sale of investment in Flyt Limited to Just Eat

22 January 2019

Time Out Group plc

("Time Out", the "Company" or the "Group")

Sale of investment in Flyt Limited to Just Eat

Time Out Group plc (AIM: TMO), the global media and entertainment business, is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale of its stake in Flyt Limited ("Flyt" formerly known as "Flypay") to Just Eat Plc ("Just Eat"), a leading global marketplace for online takeaway delivery.

Time Out has received £9.6m proceeds for its entire stake. This represents a £4.5m profit on disposal or 88% increase over the previously reported investment holding.

Time Out made a strategic technology investment in Flyt in July 2015. During Time Out's investment Flyt has significantly scaled its operations, grown revenues and expanded to over 3,000 quick service and branded restaurants. Just Eat made a minority investment in Flyt in 2016, making this full exit to Just Eat a great outcome for both Time Out and Flyt.

Time Out will use the proceeds to invest in one of its top strategic priorities which remains the global rollout of Time Out Market following the success of the first site in Lisbon which attracted 3.6 million visitors in 2017. This year, five new Time Out Markets are set to open in North America, including Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago and Montreal, the Group's first management agreement. Impressive line-ups of some of the cities' top chefs have already been announced for the soon-to-open location in Miami - where all kitchens have been signed up - as well as for New York and Boston.

Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group plc, stated:

"We would like to thank Flyt founders Tom Weaver and Chris Evans and the wider team for their excellent work in developing their business during the last three years. Just Eat's investment announced today proves that this is a success story and we are proud to have been part of it. We wish them all the very best as they take the business forward to the next phase of growth in partnership with Just Eat".

Tom Weaver, CEO of Flyt, commented:

"I would like to thank the team at Time Out for their support over the last three years. During this period, we have significantly grown the business which now supports thousands of restaurants in both Europe and North America. We are excited to be part of Just Eat and look forward to working with them and our other partners to further develop the business". 

Notes to editors

About Time Out Group plc

Time Out Group is a global media and entertainment business that helps people make the most of the city. Its digital and physical presence comprises websites, mobile, magazines, Live Events and Time Out Market. Across these platforms Time Out distributes its curated content around the best food, drink, music, theatre, art, travel and entertainment across 315 cities and in 58 countries. Time Out, listed on AIM, is headquartered in the United Kingdom. 

About Flyt Limited

Founded as Flypay by Tom Weaver and Chris Evans in 2013, Flyt is a leading systems integration platform provider, connecting point of sale systems to restaurant and intermediary applications.  The platform makes it simple and hassle-free for hospitality operators to adopt and install new technology and integrate into their existing systems.