Foodpanda

Corporate brand

Foodpanda is Delivery Hero's Asia-focused food and grocery delivery brand, operating through digital ordering platforms and delivery networks.

Last updated October 29, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Foodpanda is an online food and grocery delivery brand headquartered in Singapore and owned by Berlin-based Delivery Hero SE. It connects consumers with restaurants, shops, and other merchants through websites and mobile applications, allowing users to browse menus or product catalogues, place orders, pay digitally, and receive delivery updates. Delivery may be performed by commissioned riders or coordinated through participating merchants, depending on the market and service model. The business was established in Singapore in 2012 by Swiss entrepreneurs Lukas Nagel and Rico Wyder. It expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia and South Asia, initially entering Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, and other markets. The brand also pursued a broad international expansion strategy in Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Middle East-adjacent markets during the 2010s. Its growth was supported by substantial venture financing from Rocket Internet, Kinnevik, Phenomen Ventures, iMENA Holdings, and other investors. Foodpanda also expanded through acquisitions, including the Pakistani delivery service Eat Oye and Indian platforms TastyKhana and Just Eat India. In December 2016, Delivery Hero acquired Foodpanda from its principal investor Rocket Internet. The transaction placed Foodpanda within Delivery Hero's multi-brand international portfolio. In November 2017, the brand adopted a unified visual identity, changing its principal colour from orange to pink and introducing an updated logo. Foodpanda subsequently became Delivery Hero's principal consumer-facing brand in much of Asia, while the group used other brands in selected European and regional markets. Foodpanda's business has included restaurant delivery, grocery delivery, takeaway ordering, merchant technology, rider logistics, and selected initiatives involving cloud kitchens and home-based food businesses. Its Home Chefs programme, launched in Pakistan and later extended to Bangladesh and Malaysia, was designed to help home cooks sell prepared food without opening conventional restaurants. The company has also developed grocery and convenience delivery services as consumer demand moved beyond restaurant meals. The brand's geographic footprint has changed repeatedly. It withdrew from Indonesia in 2016, exited Brunei in 2018, stopped food delivery in Germany in 2021 while retaining an R&D presence in Berlin, and transferred or rebranded various European operations under Delivery Hero or other group brands. Foodpanda India was acquired by Ola in 2017; Ola later suspended its conventional food-delivery operation and concentrated the remaining brand activity on cloud-kitchen and in-house food concepts. In 2021, Foodpanda exited or transferred certain Balkan and Eastern European operations, including Bulgaria and Romania, to Glovo-related arrangements. Japan was entered in 2020 and subsequently exited in 2022. Thailand was listed as a former market after operations ended in 2025. Foodpanda remains principally an Asian platform brand. Its competitive position depends on consumer reach, restaurant and grocery selection, delivery density, rider availability, app functionality, promotions, and merchant economics. The company has faced public disputes concerning rider treatment, vendor commissions, labour conditions, and political controversies, particularly in Thailand. In 2024, Uber agreed to acquire Delivery Hero's Foodpanda Taiwan business for a reported price, but Taiwanese regulators blocked the transaction in December 2024 on competition grounds. The brand therefore continues within Delivery Hero's portfolio, with its current identity and market presence varying by country.

History

Foodpanda was founded in Singapore in 2012 by Lukas Nagel and Rico Wyder. It began as a digital marketplace for restaurant delivery and quickly expanded across Southeast Asia, entering markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Bangladesh and Romania were added in 2013, followed by further expansion in the Balkans, Brunei, and other countries. The company used a combination of venture financing, market launches, and acquisitions to build a geographically dispersed platform. In Pakistan, Foodpanda acquired Eat Oye in 2014. In India, it acquired TastyKhana and the Indian business of Just Eat in 2015. These transactions were intended to accelerate local scale, although the Indian operation later experienced layoffs and allegations concerning restaurant payments and listing practices. Foodpanda's Indian business was sold to Ola in 2017. Ola promoted aggressive discounts and later experimented with cloud kitchens and private-label brands, but suspended its conventional delivery business in 2019. Foodpanda's early expansion was not uniformly successful. It closed its Indonesian operation in 2016 after competition intensified, sold its Russian Delivery Club business to Mail.Ru, and withdrew from several Central and Eastern European markets over time. In December 2016, Rocket Internet sold Foodpanda to Delivery Hero. The acquisition made Foodpanda one of Delivery Hero's major Asian brands. A 2017 rebrand changed the visual system from orange to pink and aligned the service more closely with Delivery Hero's international brand architecture. From 2019 through 2020, Foodpanda entered or expanded in additional Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, and launched in Japan in 2020. During the same period, its service proposition broadened from restaurant meals to groceries and convenience products. The company continued to rely on websites and mobile applications, integrating customer ordering, merchant menus, digital payments, reviews, order confirmation, estimated delivery times, and rider logistics. Beginning in 2021, Foodpanda developed its Home Chefs initiative in Pakistan and later extended it to Bangladesh and Malaysia. The programme enabled home cooks to sell meals through the platform without the capital required for a conventional restaurant. Foodpanda also continued to adjust its European footprint: it transferred or rebranded certain operations in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia, and ended food-delivery services in Germany while retaining an R&D centre in Berlin. The brand has faced repeated criticism and public disputes. In Thailand, political controversies in 2020 and 2021 led to boycotts and an apology from the company. In the Philippines, riders protested alleged wage and disciplinary problems, while Malaysian merchants challenged the level and transparency of commissions and fees. Hong Kong workers also staged a strike in 2021. These episodes illustrate the regulatory, labour, and marketplace tensions inherent in app-based delivery businesses. Foodpanda introduced its Pau-Pau mascot in 2022 as a pan-Asian brand character associated with empowerment and environmental themes. In 2024, Delivery Hero agreed to sell Foodpanda's Taiwan business to Uber, but Taiwan's competition authorities blocked the proposed transaction in December of that year. Foodpanda therefore remains a Delivery Hero-owned brand whose active markets and service mix differ by country, with Asia as its principal operating region.

2024
Taiwan transaction blocked
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Taiwanese regulators block Uber's proposed acquisition of Foodpanda's Taiwan business on competition grounds.
2022
Pau-Pau mascot introduced
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Foodpanda introduces its pan-Asian panda mascot.
2021
Germany food-delivery exit
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
The brand stops food delivery in German cities and retains an R&D hub in Berlin.
2020
Japan launch
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Foodpanda launches in Japan as it continues its Asian expansion.
2017
Global rebrand
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Foodpanda adopts a pink visual identity and updated logo across its served countries.
2016
Delivery Hero acquisition
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Delivery Hero acquires Foodpanda from Rocket Internet.
2015
Indian acquisitions
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Foodpanda acquires TastyKhana and the Indian portal of Just Eat.
2014
Eat Oye acquisition
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
The company acquires Pakistani rival Eat Oye.
2013
Early international expansion
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Foodpanda expands into Bangladesh and Romania after entering several Southeast Asian markets.
2012
Foodpanda is founded
[1]Foodpandaen.wikipedia.org
Lukas Nagel and Rico Wyder establish Foodpanda in Singapore.

Products and positioning

A convenient, app-led food and grocery delivery platform focused primarily on Asian urban markets, combining broad merchant choice with last-mile delivery and promotional ordering.

Food delivery platform · 2012
Foodpanda restaurant delivery
The core service lets customers discover nearby restaurants, review menus, place meal orders, pay through the platform, and receive delivery-status information. Foodpanda coordinates orders between customers and partner restaurants and uses rider networks or merchant delivery arrangements to complete fulfilment.
Grocery delivery
Foodpanda groceries
Foodpanda extends its ordering infrastructure beyond prepared meals to groceries, convenience items, and other everyday products. Availability and fulfilment models vary by country, with orders supplied by supermarkets, convenience stores, specialist merchants, or delivery-focused retail partners.
Home-based food marketplace · 2021
Foodpanda Home Chefs
Home Chefs enables selected home cooks to offer prepared food through Foodpanda without establishing a traditional restaurant. The initiative began in Pakistan and expanded to Bangladesh and Malaysia, supporting cooks seeking supplementary income and lowering the entry barrier for small food businesses.
Cloud kitchens and private labels · 2018
Foodpanda cloud-kitchen concepts
In India, the Foodpanda business experimented with in-house food brands and cloud kitchens, including concepts associated with Ola's post-acquisition strategy. The model focused on producing food for delivery rather than operating conventional customer-facing restaurants.

Controversies

2026
Lawmakers and civil groups protest Grab's acquisition of foodpanda's Taiwan delivery business
On October 12, 2026, DPP legislator Wang Shih-chien, several industry unions and civil groups gathered outside Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission and submitted a petition demanding rejection of Grab's acquisition of foodpanda's Taiwan delivery business, ahead of an FTC review decision expected by October 27, 2026. Protesters claimed the merged platforms would hold up to a 98% market share in Taiwan's delivery market and raised national security concerns, saying Grab's AI research is based in Beijing and Shenzhen and alleging mainland China sovereign fund involvement. The FTC said the case remains under committee deliberation, and Grab did not respond to Taiwanese media questions about information-leak risks.
Source
2022
Hong Kong Competition Commission investigates Foodpanda and Deliveroo
Hong Kong's Competition Commission said it was investigating whether Foodpanda and Deliveroo imposed restrictive conditions on partner restaurants, amid concerns that the platforms could use their market positions to impose strict and exclusive deals. The article reports an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Source
2021
Thai rider dismissal controversy
A proposed dismissal of a rider linked to a protest involving a royal portrait triggered a widespread boycott. Foodpanda later apologised and stated that it supported freedom of expression.
Source
2021
Merchant fee complaints in Malaysia
Malaysian vendors alleged that commissions and hidden fees were excessive and could leave sellers with little or no profit. Some merchants reportedly terminated their Foodpanda accounts.
Source
2021
Rider protests in the Philippines
Foodpanda riders protested alleged unfair wage and disciplinary policies. The company attributed reports of lengthy suspensions to technical problems in rider software and apologised.
Source
2021
Hong Kong worker strike
Some workers in Hong Kong went on strike over alleged problems involving income expectations and workplace conditions.
Source
2021
Foodpanda responds to complaints about delayed orders and refunds
In January 2021, Foodpanda responded to a customer complaint posted online that the platform would cancel a delayed order without refunding the payment. Foodpanda stated that not every cancellation is non-refundable and that long waits are not treated as malicious cancellations. The company also described customer-service support and compensation provided in certain cases. The response addressed the complaint without detailing specific outcomes for the individual order.
Source
2020
Thai political advertising boycott
Pro-democracy protesters in Thailand called for a Foodpanda boycott after identifying the company as an advertiser on Nation TV, a channel viewed by protesters as pro-establishment. Foodpanda suspended its advertising on the channel.
Source
2020
Foodpanda apologizes over employee's remark about medical workers
Foodpanda apologized for an employee's controversial remark that medical workers at Nantou Yumin Hospital were “dirty.” The report says a medical professional had complained about being asked to collect a meal away from the hospital.
Source

2022Pau-Pau mascot rollout
Asia
Foodpanda introduced Pau-Pau, an anthropomorphic panda associated with empowerment and environmental awareness, for use across Asian markets.
Outcome. Added a common character-led element to the regional brand platform.
Source
2021Home Chefs
Pakistan · Bangladesh · Malaysia
The initiative promoted food sales by home cooks and positioned the platform as an income opportunity for people able to prepare food but unable to finance a conventional restaurant.
Outcome. Expanded beyond restaurant partners into home-based food entrepreneurship.
Source
2017Foodpanda pink rebrand
All served markets
Foodpanda replaced its earlier orange identity with a pink colour system and updated logo after joining Delivery Hero's portfolio.
Outcome. Created a more consistent international brand identity.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Proposed sale of Foodpanda Taiwan to UberM&A
Background
Delivery Hero agreed to sell its Taiwan takeout business to Uber, but the proposed combination raised competition concerns.
Action taken
Taiwanese regulators blocked the transaction in December 2024.
Aftermath
The proposed transfer did not proceed, leaving the Taiwan business within Delivery Hero's structure.
Source
2021
Withdraw from German food deliveryStrategy
Background
Foodpanda reassessed its market footprint and competitive position in Germany.
Action taken
The company stopped food-delivery operations in German cities while maintaining an R&D hub in Berlin.
Aftermath
Germany ceased to be an active Foodpanda delivery market, despite continued research activity.
Source
2017
Standardise the Foodpanda brand identityStrategy
Background
Following the Delivery Hero acquisition, the group sought a consistent Foodpanda identity across its served countries.
Action taken
Foodpanda changed its main colour from orange to pink and introduced an updated logo.
Aftermath
The pink identity became the brand's principal visual signature.
Source
2016
Sell Foodpanda to Delivery HeroM&A
Background
Rocket Internet was Foodpanda's largest investor and decided to sell the brand after its international expansion phase.
Action taken
Delivery Hero acquired Foodpanda in full for an undisclosed consideration.
Aftermath
Foodpanda became Delivery Hero's lead brand across much of Asia.
Source

Recent events

2026-11-03
foodpanda announces limited-edition Zhen Huan collaboration drinks and blind boxes[6]foodpanda宣布推出《后宫甄嬛传》联名饮品与盲盒setn.com
Reported: 2026-11-03
foodpanda announced four drinks and five themed food blind boxes made with the TV series The Legend of Zhen Huan and beverage brand DaYung's. The items were scheduled to go on sale exclusively and in limited quantities on foodpanda from November 7.
2026-10-21
Taiwan regulator blocks Grab’s purchase of Foodpanda’s Taiwan delivery business[7]台湾监管机构阻止 Grab 收购 Foodpanda 在台湾的外卖业务news.google.com
Reported: 2026-10-21
A Taiwan regulator blocked Grab’s purchase of Foodpanda’s delivery business in Taiwan.
2026-10-12
Lawmakers and civil groups protest Grab's acquisition of foodpanda's Taiwan delivery business[2]Lawmakers and civil groups protest Grab's acquisition of foodpanda's Taiwan delivery businesszaobao.com.sg
Reported: 2026-10-12
On October 12, 2026, DPP legislator Wang Shih-chien, several industry unions and civil groups gathered outside Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission and submitted a petition demanding rejection of Grab's acquisition of foodpanda's Taiwan delivery business, ahead of an FTC review decision expected by October 27, 2026. Protesters claimed the merged platforms would hold up to a 98% market share in Taiwan's delivery market and raised national security concerns, saying Grab's AI research is based in Beijing and Shenzhen and alleging mainland China sovereign fund involvement. The FTC said the case remains under committee deliberation, and Grab did not respond to Taiwanese media questions about information-leak risks.
Unconfirmed
Hong Kong Competition Commission investigates Foodpanda and Deliveroo[4]Hong Kong Competition Commission investigates Foodpanda and Deliverooscmp.com
Reported: 2022-01-27
Hong Kong's Competition Commission said it was investigating whether Foodpanda and Deliveroo imposed restrictive conditions on partner restaurants, amid concerns that the platforms could use their market positions to impose strict and exclusive deals. The article reports an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing.
2022-01-13
foodpanda and PX Mart announce a fresh-grocery delivery collaboration[8]foodpanda与全联宣布生鲜外送合作chinatimes.com
Reported: 2022-01-13
foodpanda and PX Mart announced a collaboration to provide fresh-grocery delivery. The companies said they aimed to bring 350 PX Mart stores online during the first quarter and cover more than 75% of PX Mart's nationwide delivery footprint.
2021-12-28
Foodpanda announces planned exit from Japan[9]Foodpanda宣布将退出日本市场bnext.com.tw
Reported: 2021-12-28
Delivery Hero said its Foodpanda brand would exit the Japanese market and sell its Japan business in the first quarter of the following year. The article attributes the decision to intense competition and a shortage of delivery workers.
Unconfirmed
Romania’s Competition Council reviews proposed Foodpanda acquisition[10]罗马尼亚竞争委员会审查拟议的 Foodpanda 收购案zfenglish.com
Romania’s Competition Council said it was looking into Glovoappro SRL’s proposed acquisition of Foodpanda Ro SRL and, indirectly, the Pandamart business operated by Delivery Hero Dmart SRL.
2021-05-10
K-Electric announces offer alliances with foodpanda and Befiler[11]K-Electric宣布与foodpanda和Befiler推出合作优惠propakistani.pk
Reported: 2021-05-10
K-Electric announced strategic alliances with foodpanda and Befiler offering new KE Live App users discounts on foodpanda orders and Befiler tax-filing and registration services.
Unconfirmed
PSO and Foodpanda partner on fuel management for riders[12]PSO与Foodpanda合作为骑手提供燃油管理方案propakistani.pk
Reported: 2021-01-13
Pakistan State Oil signed a partnership agreement with Foodpanda under which PSO will provide Foodpanda riders with a fuel management solution using DigiCash fuel cards.
2021-01-05
foodpanda responds to complaints about delayed orders and refunds[3]Foodpanda responds to complaints about delayed orders and refundsnews.cts.com.tw
Reported: 2021-01-05
After a customer complained online that foodpanda would cancel a delayed order without refunding the payment, foodpanda said not every cancellation is non-refundable and that long waits are not treated as malicious cancellations. It also described customer-service support and compensation in certain cases.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Sources26 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/foodpanda · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled