The Taiwan purchase gives the Singapore-based company a sizeable delivery foothold beyond Southeast Asia in its pursuit of a broader expansion strategy built around artificial intelligence, newer services and selective overseas deals.
The logo Essenlieferdienstes Delivery Hero is attached to a glass panel at the head office, Berlin, Germany. Photo by dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP |
“This is a natural next step for Grab, as our experience in Southeast Asia is a direct fit for this market,” Anthony Tan, Grab’s group CEO and co-founder, said in a statement on Monday.
Grab said the deal, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, was expected to close in the second half of 2026, and was expected to contribute at least $60 million in incremental adjusted core earnings (EBITDA) in 2028.
More needs to be done
Foodpanda in Taiwan generated about $1.8 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025 and was profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis before Delivery Hero group cost allocations, it said.
In February, Reuters reported that Grab was targeting annual revenue growth of more than 20% over the next three years and aimed to triple EBITDA to $1.5 billion by 2028.
At the time Alex Hungate, its president and chief operating officer, said the company had taken “toeholds” outside Southeast Asia, including its acquisition of U.S. wealth platform Stash.
Grab reiterated its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $700 million to $720 million and said the transaction would be accretive to its 2026 group revenue forecast of $4.04 billion to $4.10 billion.
The company said it aimed to complete migration of users, merchants and drivers to the Grab app by early 2027.
Delivery Hero CEO Niklas Oestberg said the Taiwan divestment was “a key first step” in the strategic review of the group’s activities. The deal proceeds will go to repay debt, the company said in a separate statement.
The German group’s shares rose nearly 11% Monday, on track for their best trading day this year if the gains hold.
Shareholders, most notably Aspex Management, have pressed Delivery Hero for progress in the strategic review, and its shares have lost nearly a third of their value this year.
“Starting to divest assets is a positive, but Taiwan in itself is completely insufficient, as the company continues to rack up regulatory fines and mismanage capital via inefficient financing arrangements,” Aspex said in a statement.
“A lot more needs to be done if the management wants to regain trust from the capital markets.”
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