EA Group expands its fintech ecosystem: Tarlan Payments brings Gourmet restaurant service into banking apps

Our portfolio fintech company Tarlan Payments has closed the deal to acquire foodtech service Gourmet. The integration speeds up Tarlan’s shift to a Banking-as-a-Platform model, where a mobile bank becomes the main gateway for customers’ everyday lifestyle services.

What is Gourmet by Tarlan
Inside a banking app users can:
·  book tables and pre-order meals
·  pay the bill with one tap
·  earn cashback and join loyalty programs The service targets full-service restaurants in the mid- and premium segments.

Why it matters
·  More value for banks – higher user engagement and fresh insight into customer preferences. ·  Lower costs for restaurants – clear commission model and direct access to paying customers without third-party aggregators.
·  Stronger EA Group ecosystem – the first step in a line of BaaP products. In 2025-2026 new integrations will follow: marketplaces, city services and other daily-use tools.

Growth plans
·  by end-2025 – connect 150 restaurants in Kazakhstan
·  in 2026 – at least 250 venues, including international chains ·  first-year order volume through banking apps – over KZT 60 billion
·  expected annual user base – 600 000+ people

Serikbolsyn Mustafin, CEO of Gourmet:
“We built Gourmet as a fair alternative to high-fee aggregators. Together with EA Group we can scale this model to new markets.”
 
The deal is a key step in EA Group’s plan to build an integrated fintech ecosystem. The BaaP approach will open new options for partner banks and add extra value for millions of users in the region.