On July 14, 2026, several sources disclosed that Uber is deeply engaged in negotiations to acquire Delivery Hero, a German powerhouse in the food delivery sector. These discussions have progressed to an advanced stage, with the possibility of a deal being clinched as early as this week. Prior to this, Uber had tendered an acquisition bid of €33 per share and currently possesses roughly 24.99% of Delivery Hero's shares. Through the use of derivatives, Uber has augmented its total stake to approximately 36.8%.
Delivery Hero boasts a global presence, operating in over 60 countries and regions worldwide. It owns a portfolio of well-known brands, including PedidosYa, Talabat, and Foodpanda. Should the acquisition materialize, Uber's food delivery business will experience a substantial expansion. The newly formed entity would then be responsible for handling more than 40% of global non-Chinese food delivery orders, ranking second only to Meituan.
However, the proposed deal is not without its challenges. It is likely to face intense scrutiny from global antitrust authorities, given the overlapping operations of the two companies in certain regions of Europe and the Middle East. Moreover, Delivery Hero's shareholder landscape has undergone notable transformations recently. Prosus has divested a portion of its stake due to regulatory mandates, while activist investment firm Aspex has been advocating for a strategic review. These factors have made Uber's increased stake a pivotal catalyst for the deal.
The capital markets have responded favorably to these developments. Delivery Hero's stock witnessed a remarkable surge of 22% in a single day, inching closer to Uber's proposed acquisition price. Meanwhile, Uber's stock experienced an 8.3% jump in after-hours trading.
