Uber is taking a bold leap into Türkiye’s fast-growing delivery space with a $700 million all-cash deal to acquire 85% of Trendyol GO, the food and grocery delivery unit of Turkish e-commerce giant Trendyol. The move marks a strategic pivot for Uber as it doubles down on delivery and signals a renewed commitment to Türkiye after a rocky exit from its ride-hailing operations years ago.
Although the transaction is still subject to regulatory approval, it’s expected to close in the second half of 2025. Once cleared, Uber will take control of day-to-day operations, while Trendyol retains a minority stake. This acquisition not only gives Uber an instant infrastructure boost but also plugs the company directly into a thriving ecosystem of 19,000 couriers and 90,000 restaurant partners across Türkiye.
A Strategic Power Play
Trendyol GO is no small player. In 2024, it fulfilled over 200 million orders and generated $2 billion in gross bookings—a 50% jump from the previous year. Backed by Alibaba and deeply integrated into Turkish daily life (even sponsoring the top football league), Trendyol GO is a household name in Türkiye’s delivery economy.
With this deal, Uber isn’t just buying a business—it’s gaining immediate access to a loyal user base, robust logistics network, and established brand equity. For Uber, which brought in $13.7 billion from its Eats division last year, the acquisition is a calculated bet on the stickiness of food and grocery delivery in a post-pandemic world.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi described the move as a transformative one, aimed at boosting small and family-run businesses while cementing Uber’s long-term stake in the region. “Trendyol GO has built something remarkable. We’re thrilled to build on that success,” he said in a statement.
Why Türkiye? Why Now?
Türkiye’s appetite for delivery is surging. As convenience culture takes hold and digital habits solidify, the country has emerged as a prime target for global delivery giants. Uber’s push into this market comes on the heels of setbacks elsewhere—most notably the collapse of its proposed Foodpanda acquisition in Taiwan due to regulatory issues.
The timing is also noteworthy. Uber is slated to report its Q1 earnings this week, with analysts predicting $11.6 billion in revenue. A major expansion announcement like this could signal growth potential and investor confidence.
A Comeback via Delivery
Uber’s relationship with Türkiye has been complicated. The company previously operated ride-hailing services there but exited in 2019 after a legal ban. While the Uber app was removed and operations halted, the interest in re-entering never truly faded.
Now, by shifting focus from rides to deliveries, Uber is staging a strategic comeback. And it’s not just about food. Given Trendyol’s deep roots in e-commerce, the acquisition could unlock future opportunities in last-mile retail delivery as well.
Battling for Market Share
Türkiye’s delivery battlefield is packed. Players like Getir and Yemeksepeti are already entrenched, but Trendyol GO brings scale, speed, and credibility. Uber’s entry adds a global heavyweight into the mix, raising the stakes in a fiercely competitive market.
For Uber, the acquisition isn’t just about growth—it’s about building resilience. As the company faces increasing regulatory scrutiny in some regions, Türkiye offers a dynamic and potentially lucrative alternative.
If the deal gets regulatory green light, Uber won’t just be delivering dinner—it’ll be delivering on a much bigger promise: to redefine how Türkiye orders, shops, and connects through digital platforms.
