Delivery Hero SE is a German e-commerce group specializing in on-demand delivery. Based in Berlin, it connects consumers, restaurants and retailers through a portfolio of digital platforms. Its business goes beyond meal ordering: it also covers groceries and various everyday products. The group operates notably in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, under brands tailored to local markets.
From Berlin to an international portfolio
Founded in 2011, Delivery Hero grew through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions of online ordering services. Its listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2017 supported this international expansion. Rather than imposing a single brand everywhere, the company retained brands with an established local presence and an understanding of consumer habits.
The deal with Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baemin in South Korea, and the acquisition of a controlling stake in Glovo strengthened this strategy. The portfolio also includes brands such as foodpanda, talabat, PedidosYa and Yemeksepeti. This history also involves strategic choices about where to operate: Delivery Hero sold its German meal delivery operations to Takeaway.com in 2019, while keeping its headquarters in the German capital.
Platforms, logistics and quick commerce
The core of the model relies on apps that let users browse available products, place orders, pay and track deliveries. Revenue comes notably from commissions charged to partners, fees paid by customers and additional services. Advertising and visibility tools offered to retailers also provide sources of monetization. Depending on the market and contractual arrangements, delivery may be handled by the restaurant or organized by the platform.
Delivery Hero is also developing quick commerce. This involves delivering everyday purchases from partner stores or dedicated fulfillment sites, generally known as “dark stores”. This approach relies on software for inventory management, demand forecasting and delivery assignment. Performance depends as much on technology as on very practical factors: order density, courier availability, distances traveled and order preparation costs.
What next?
For Delivery Hero, the challenge is to turn this international presence into a sustainably profitable business. This means retaining users, improving operational efficiency and choosing investments without compromising service quality. Expanding the offering beyond meals creates opportunities, but also increases logistical complexity.
The group’s trajectory also depends on the rules governing courier working conditions, competition and relationships with retailers. In a sector where customers can easily compare several apps, differentiation comes down to reliability, choice and the final price. Delivery Hero will therefore need to reconcile business growth, cost control and adaptation to local regulatory frameworks.