Startup Malou, a restaurant software powered by AI, has secured $10 million in fresh funding to accelerate growth in France, enhance product capabilities, and expand globally, with a focus on the U.S. and the Middle East.
Founded in 2021, Malou offers an AI-driven platform designed to enhance restaurants’ online reputation. The software provides a range of tools to boost visibility, engage customers, and manage virtual reputation effectively.
By consolidating social media accounts, listing and delivery platforms, and Google pages into a unified interface, Malou leverages AI and robotics to analyze consumer feedback, create social media content, and ensure consistent information, thereby enhancing online presence, SEO, awareness, and social media engagement.
Malou’s holistic approach aims to optimize every aspect of the interaction between restaurants and customers, from initial discovery and conversion to fostering loyalty and monitoring customer satisfaction. The platform also delivers personalized support tailored to each diner’s specific needs and growth stage.
Currently, Malou serves 2,000 eateries across 12 countries, catering to independent cafes, restaurant chains, renowned chefs, and popular food establishments like Bagatelle Group and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.
Investors in this funding round include HenQ Inc., Bleu Capital Management LP, Bertrand Jelensperger (founder of The Fork), and Jim Texier (former deputy product officer at Lightspeed Management Co. LLC).
Mick Mackaay, a partner at lead investor HenQ, praised Malou’s team for leveraging their deep expertise in restaurant marketing to develop an automated “hyper-verticalized” solution that optimizes all aspects of a restaurant’s online presence. This innovative approach attracts more customers without necessitating owners to become marketing experts. The team’s success in implementing this solution across a diverse range of restaurants has been particularly impressive, considering the challenges of marketing to this industry segment.
