Uber Delivery Hero Deal Faces Ninja Bid for HungerStation

In Short

Uber’s bid to acquire Delivery Hero is facing a fresh complication. Saudi quick-commerce company Ninja is reportedly exploring a bid for parts of Delivery Hero’s Middle East business, including HungerStation.

What Happened

Uber is pursuing Delivery Hero, the German delivery group with major operations in the Gulf through brands like Talabat and HungerStation.

A new report says Riyadh-based Ninja is considering bidding for some of those Middle East assets. Options being discussed include buying HungerStation outright. Another scenario is teaming up with a partner to buy parts of Talabat.

The move matters because it adds another serious buyer into a process that is already complex. It could also reduce the set of assets Uber would get if it buys Delivery Hero, depending on how any carve-out sale is structured.

There is also a personal angle. Ninja was founded by Ebrahim Al-Jassim, who built HungerStation and previously sold it to Delivery Hero. Now he could be trying to buy back the same business using a new company valued at over $1 billion.

Why It Matters

Food delivery and quick commerce, which means ultra-fast delivery for groceries and essentials, are high-stakes categories in the Gulf. They rely on dense courier networks, strong restaurant and merchant supply, and large marketing budgets.

If Ninja succeeds in buying HungerStation, it could reshape market share in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. It would also put more pressure on incumbents and regional rivals, including talabat and Uber Eats.

For Uber, any competing bid could raise the price, slow down negotiations, or force a different deal structure. Investors will also watch whether Delivery Hero chooses to sell Middle East assets separately to maximize value before agreeing to any full takeover.