Foodpanda is a Singapore-based online food delivery and ordering company that connects users with local restaurants. The company is owned by Germany’s Delivery Hero.
Foodpanda is Uber’s biggest competitor in Taiwan, so Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said the company’s merger would create greater disadvantages for competition than economic benefits.
However, Uber argues that the acquisition of Foodpanda would be beneficial to consumers and the country’s entire food delivery market.
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Uber is offering $950 million for the buyout so that it can merge it with Uber Eats—a food delivery service that also connects users with local restaurants and merchants—in Taiwan. But Uber Eat expressed disappointment.
The company said it had proposed several conditions to address the commission’s concerns but was unable to gain approval.
Uber insisted that the business deal could bring significant benefits to delivery workers, merchants, customers, and Taiwan’s economy.
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The planned purchase was first announced in May. Uber argued that combining its global expertise in managing efficient delivery systems with Foodpanda’s strong presence in Taiwan and relationships with local brands would create a stronger service for consumers
Foodpanda operates in more than 400 cities across 11 markets in Asia, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, with Singapore as its headquarter in Asia.
Taiwan regulators are concerned about Uber getting larger control in the competitive market. They said if Uber could merge Foodponda with Uber Eats, the company would have too much control in the competitive market which could potentially reduce choices for consumers and raises price.
Despite the blockage of the buyout, Uber’s shares on Thursday, 26 of December, 2025 were largely unaffected. This can mean that investors may not be surprised by the outcome of the merger’s proposal.
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The blocked deal has made it understandable the challenges giant companies face when they try to expand through mergers and acquisitions in tightly regulated markets like Taiwan. For now, Uber and Foodpanda will continue to compete as separate businesses.
