In what may be one of the biggest buyouts in the history of food delivery apps, food delivery giant Zomato India has acquired the business of Uber Eats India. This gives Uber 9.99% ownership in Zomato's stock, in a deal that is reported to have cost Zomato USD 350 million. Uber Eats in India will discontinue operations and redirect restaurants, delivery partners and users of the Uber Eats app to the Zomato app. This change will be effective from Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
The announcement was made on Tuesday on Uber Eats' official Twitter handle, wherein they talked about how they began their food delivery journey in India in 2017. Take a look:
We entered food delivery in India in 2017 and today is when our journey takes a different route. Zomato has acquired Uber Eats in India and we'll no longer be available here with immediate effect. We wish all our users more good times with great food on the road ahead pic.twitter.com/WEbJNaJY8M
— Uber Eats India (@UberEats_IND) January 21, 2020
"Through this deal, Uber Eats India users now become Zomato users. I want to assure Uber Eats India users that their user experience won't be compromised in any way - if at all, the scale gives us higher density to make our deliveries faster. With Zomato, you'll realise that we share a common love for great food," wrote Deepinder Goyal, Founder and CEO of Zomato on his blog on the website. Zomato India too acknowledged the buyout on their Twitter handle:
It's a big day for us and an even bigger one for Uber Eats India – all of us at Zomato want to thank everyone who has contributed to making Uber Eats India what it is today and especially you, the foodies. We look forward to this new beginning and exciting times, together 🙌 https://t.co/6wQqKTER2L— Zomato India (@ZomatoIN) January 21, 2020
He also said, "We are proud to have pioneered restaurant discovery and to have created a leading food delivery business across more than 500 cities in India. This acquisition significantly strengthens our position in the category." He shared a tweet on his Twitter handle, which captured the essence of the deal, saying that the two apps were 'better together'. See the tweet here:
Uber Eats India is now Zomato. Here's to better food for more people, and new beginnings.
For more details: https://t.co/cq8Wp9ikOkpic.twitter.com/nK4ICY2ikW— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) January 21, 2020
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said, "Our Uber Eats team in India has achieved an incredible amount over the last two years, and I couldn't be prouder of their ingenuity and dedication. India remains an exceptionally important market to Uber and we will continue to invest in growing our local Rides business, which is already the clear category leader. We have been very impressed by Zomato's ability to grow rapidly in a capital-efficient manner and we wish them continued success."
Twitter erupted with reactions on the announcement as well. Some users hailed the move, saying that food delivery would now be less of a hassle since there would be only two apps to choose from. Other Twitterati said that they actually preferred Uber Eats for the wonderful deals and offers that it used to provide to users. Twitter users also took a dig at food delivery app Swiggy, saying that it might be next in Zomato's line of buyouts. See the reactions here:
Waking up to this... #ubereats#Zomatopic.twitter.com/oJqL8Y7oy0— Ruklok Pradhan (@ruklokpradhan) January 21, 2020
Swiggy right now after zomato bought uber eats .#Zomatopic.twitter.com/vcYLMtMT85— Riddhi Jhala (@RidhiJhaa) January 21, 2020
Now, #iPhone users can get rid of a 170 MB-sized app. ????#Zomato#UberEatspic.twitter.com/aFfIhStsF5— ♻️ (@lucyinnature) January 21, 2020
NOOO! #Zomato is great to check restaurant reviews, photos & menu but food ordering SUCKS! The delivery charge and "taxes" is always the same price as the food ordered it takes forever to feliver. I will miss #UberEats You were great as single, sucks when in relationship ???? pic.twitter.com/ZIOwM3daZ5— Aly (@imspidermonkey) January 21, 2020
Thanks for all your Biriyanis♥️
You'll be missed @UberEats_IND.#UberEatspic.twitter.com/uSRhNtu11m— Muhammed Sadiq T (@connectsadiqt) January 21, 2020
#Zomato acquired #UberEats
Good Bye Affordable Food Eating Days????????????
Hello Expensive Food Ordering Days???????? pic.twitter.com/epnjSdW2f1— Sanjana Patil (@SanjuPatil321) January 21, 2020
Waiting for the day when all streaming websites collab. #Zomato#UberEatspic.twitter.com/J1YU59tJBK— Bindass (@han_engineer_hu) January 21, 2020
Like it or not, Uber Eats India is now a thing of the past. Let's see how the competition pans out in the coming days between the remaining few food delivery giants.
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.