In a major move that could reshape the food delivery and mobility market in Brazil, Uber Technologies Inc. and iFood, the country’s leading food delivery app, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at combining their services and expanding access to each other’s platforms.
Key Features of the Uber-iFood Partnership
The collaboration will enable
- iFood users book Uber rides directly within the iFood app.
- Uber users order food, groceries, pharmacy items, and convenience products via iFood’s delivery services through new tabs in the Uber app.
According to both companies, the new integrated features are expected to be launched in the second half of 2025.
“This partnership represents another big milestone in our mission to help people go anywhere and get anything at the tap of a button,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber.
Market Context: Uber and iFood’s Reach in Brazil
- Uber, operating in Brazil since 2014, has
- 30 million active users
- 1.4 million drivers and couriers
- Completed 11 billion trips in Brazil (out of 61 billion globally)
- iFood dominates Brazil’s online food delivery market with:
- 55 million active users
- 360,000 couriers
- Over 120 million monthly orders across 1,500 cities
Despite their massive scale, only about 50% of users overlap between both platforms — a gap this partnership aims to close.
“This partnership represents a major step forward, with both companies innovating together to offer a new way to access everyday services,” said Diego Barreto, CEO of iFood.
Strategic Timing: Competition Heats Up with Meituan’s Entry
The Uber-iFood alliance comes just days after China’s Meituan, Asia’s largest food delivery company, announced a 5 billion reais ($890 million) investment to enter the Brazilian market under its Keeta brand. The expansion, supported by ApexBrasil, highlights Brazil’s rapidly growing and highly competitive delivery sector.
Why This is Important
Brazil is emerging as a critical battleground for global delivery and mobility platforms. Uber’s re-entry into the food delivery ecosystem, just three years after shutting down Uber Eats in Brazil, signals its renewed focus on the Latin American market. Meanwhile, iFood benefits from increased mobility offerings to enhance customer stickiness and engagement.
