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Uber Buys ezCater for $2.3B to Expand Catering Services
Confirmed
In Short: Uber is acquiring ezCater, a catering company founded in 2007, for $2.3 billion to expand its food delivery services through Uber Eats.
According to TechCrunch, ezCater generated over $2.5 billion in gross bookings over the last 12 months.
Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO, said the acquisition will help restaurants find new, larger customers.
Uber’s move comes as the company continues to diversify its offerings beyond ride-hailing.
InDrive, Uber’s competitor, is also expanding its services, focusing on emerging markets and pushing 'Ride Media' to capture passengers' attention.
However, Uber faces legal challenges, including a $40 million judgment against the company for the death of a passenger in 2023.
Uber argued that California law and Proposition 22 protected it from liability, but the arbitrator ruled otherwise.
The family's attorneys said Uber initially proposed a settlement that would have restricted the parents from publicly discussing the case.
Uber expressed condolences to the Normandin-Parker family and said it respects the arbitration process but disagrees with the decision.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about Uber's liability and safety measures for passengers.
What this adds
The acquisition of ezCater is part of Uber's strategy to diversify its revenue streams.
The legal battle over the death of Emily Normandin-Parker underscores the ongoing scrutiny of Uber's liability and safety practices.
What's confirmed
- According to TechCrunch, ezCater generated over $2.5 billion in gross bookings over the last 12 months.
- Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO, said the acquisition will help restaurants find new, larger customers.
- Uber’s move comes as the company continues to diversify its offerings beyond ride-hailing.
- InDrive, Uber’s competitor, is also expanding its services, focusing on emerging markets and pushing 'Ride Media' to capture passengers' attention.
- However, Uber faces legal challenges, including a $40 million judgment against the company for the death of a passenger in 2023.
- Uber argued that California law and Proposition 22 protected it from liability, but the arbitrator ruled otherwise.
- The family's attorneys said Uber initially proposed a settlement that would have restricted the parents from publicly discussing the case.
- Uber expressed condolences to the Normandin-Parker family and said it respects the arbitration process but disagrees with the decision.
- The case highlights ongoing concerns about Uber's liability and safety measures for passengers.
What's still developing
- Uber is buying a catering company called ezCater, as it continues to grow the types of services available through its Uber Eats division.
- “Catering is a big business, and can be a huge revenue stream for restaurants,” he said in a statement.
- “With Uber’s reach, we can bring that experience to millions more customers and help restaurants win more of these valuable orders.” The acquisition is the latest in a run of moves by Uber to grow its food delivery business.
- Now the Uber rival is scaling those bets, installing new leaders as its ads, delivery, and financial-services businesses show early signs of traction across its largely emerging-market user base. inDrive’s advertising business, piloted in July 2025 and rolled out to its top 20 markets in January, has since expanded to 25 markets, serving more than 2 billion impressions and attracting over 2,000 paying advertisers a month, the company told TechCrunch.
- “We’re in very clear emerging markets. Our segment is very different, and we can really help brands connect with a new audience in a different way,” Smit told TechCrunch. inDrive is now pushing what it calls “Ride Media,” which is designed to capture passengers’ attention while they wait for a driver and during a trip.
- Uber has increasingly layered delivery, advertising, and other services onto its mobility network. inDrive, on the other hand, is betting that its reach across emerging markets can give it a similar opportunity with a different, more cost-conscious customer base.
- “You’ll see a nice multiplier effect,” he said.
- Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, a 23-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle.
- The incident occurred Aug. 12, 2023, when Normandin-Parker and her friend, Luna Moore, were traveling in an Uber after spending the evening together.
- In a statement cited by CBS Los Angeles, the company said it respected the arbitration process but believed the arbitrator was wrong to hold Uber legally responsible for the incident.
- Plaintiffs have alleged that Uber failed to adequately screen drivers, respond to complaints or implement sufficient safety measures.
- A California appeals court in 2026 upheld an order requiring Uber to provide certain records to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.