Uber Technologies has officially agreed to acquire the German food-delivery company Delivery Hero in a cash deal valued at approximately $14.8 billion. This major consolidation move aims to significantly expand Uber's international footprint, bringing its total number of operating markets to 99. The agreement, which has been under discussion for months, represents a strategic effort by the U.S. ride-hailing giant to solidify its position as a dominant global player in both mobility and delivery services.
Under the terms of the agreement, Uber will offer Delivery Hero shareholders €41.50 per share in cash. To address potential antitrust concerns and regulatory scrutiny, the deal includes a provision to divest operations in 14 markets to the New York-based investment firm SSW Partners for $1.6 billion. These specific markets are areas where Uber Eats and Delivery Hero currently have significant overlap. The remaining operations, covering 50 markets across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, will be integrated into Uber's existing platform.
This acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2027, pending necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. Uber plans to fund the transaction using a combination of its own cash and new debt, having already secured a €14 billion bridge loan. The deal has received unanimous support from Delivery Hero's management and supervisory boards, who intend to recommend that shareholders accept the offer.
For the public, the merger signals a shift toward a more unified global delivery infrastructure. By combining platforms, Uber expects to increase the efficiency of its services and expand its membership program, Uber One, to millions of new customers. While the deal marks a milestone in the ongoing consolidation of the food-delivery industry, the long-term impact on pricing, service availability, and competition in local markets remains a subject of close observation by regulators and industry analysts alike.