appeatas12
Appetas co-founders Keller Smith and Curtis Fonger. Photo via Appetas.

appetasmanhattanGoogle has acquired Appetas, a Seattle-based startup that helps restaurants build websites.

In a blog post, Appetas co-founders Keller Smith and Curtis Fonger note that they will be shutting down their company to join Google.

“Google shares Appetas’ vision for bringing incredibly simple experiences to merchants that strengthen their business,” they wrote. “We’re very excited to use what we’ve learned with Appetas to create something even better at Google.”

Appetas, a 2012 Windows Azure accelerator participant, allowed restaurant owners to create customizable websites with integration to delivery services like OpenTable and GrubHub, in addition to social platforms like Foursquare.

Google’s acquisition points to an interest in the restaurant and local business space. The company acquired Zagat back in 2011 for $125 million, but hasn’t been able to capitalize on that deal since. It’s unclear what exactly Smith and Fonger, who were previously at Microsoft before starting Appetas, will be working on at Google.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Appetas, who we featured in a Startup Spotlight in September of 2012, said that it will work with each existing customer individually to help them transition to alternative platforms.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.