In a major shake-up of the food-delivery industry, Uber has officially launched a $14.8 billion takeover bid for the German giant Delivery Hero. This strategic move is designed to solidify Uber's position as a global powerhouse, creating a massive delivery network that spans 99 countries and rivals top international players like China’s Meituan. By combining forces, the two companies aim to leverage their massive scale to fend off intense competition from rivals like DoorDash and Just Eat, with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi noting that the merger will significantly broaden the availability of their mobility and delivery services worldwide.

The acquisition is expected to face a rigorous regulatory review process, which analysts suggest could be a long and complex journey toward completion by the second half of next year. To address potential antitrust concerns, Delivery Hero has already arranged to divest operations in 14 markets to SSW Partners. While the deal has the full support of Delivery Hero’s management and major shareholder Prosus, market reaction has remained cautious. Nonetheless, both companies believe this merger is a critical step for long-term competitiveness, with Uber pledging to maintain the Berlin headquarters and invest €2 billion into the German market through 2031.