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Ver en españolA Dubai-born super app that bundles food delivery, grocery, payments and other everyday services in one login across the Middle East.
At a glance
Careem Food and its Quik grocery service earn fees from restaurants and customers, while Careem Plus sells a monthly membership with free delivery and discounts. Careem Pay adds wallet, bills and remittances, so one customer uses several services.
When Careem launched its super app rollout in March 2020, it reported 33 million registered users and more than 10,000 partner restaurants across 13 countries.
Images RetailMEIn April 2023 e& agreed to invest USD 400 million in the Careem super app; Careem said UAE food orders grew 86% in 2022 and its Quik grocery service grew 46 times.
Images RetailMEOn 1 June 2026 Uber bought a further 12.5% of Careem Technologies from e& for USD 100 million.
Khaleej TimesIn the first half of 2026 Careem Technologies reported revenue of AED 884 million, up 20%, and an operating loss of AED 447 million.
AGBIHow they won
What they did, why it worked, and how you can run the same move in one city on a small budget.
01
What they did
Starting in March 2020 Careem combined rides, food and shop delivery, and payments in a single app with one sign-in, one wallet and a shared rewards program. Points could be used across rides, food and donations.
Why it worked
A customer who already trusts the app for one service can try food or groceries with no new download or sign-up.
Copy it locally
Put restaurants, a grocery store, a pharmacy and a courier or parcel option in one app under one account and one loyalty wallet. Cross-promote: a food customer gets a voucher for the first grocery order.
02
What they did
In February 2021 Careem dropped percentage commissions for UAE restaurants and offered four monthly subscription tiers by business size. Its argument was that discovery, delivery and payments cost the same whether an order is AED 50 or AED 500.
Why it worked
Restaurants tired of paying a share of every order got a predictable cost, giving Careem a reason for merchants to join and promote it.
Copy it locally
Offer restaurants a flat monthly plan or a low fixed fee per order instead of a big percentage. Publish the pricing on one page so restaurants can compare it with what the big app charges them.
03
What they did
In April 2021 Careem launched Careem Plus in Dubai at AED 39 a month, with free food delivery, ride cashback and bike access. Careem said average members saved more than twice the fee each month.
Why it worked
Bundling benefits across services makes the membership feel valuable even for people who order food only sometimes.
Copy it locally
Create one membership that unlocks free delivery on food and groceries plus a perk from a local partner such as a gym, car wash or cafe. Promote it at checkout when a customer pays a delivery fee.
04
What they did
In late 2021 Careem launched Quik in Dubai, promising groceries in about 15 minutes from small dark stores in dense areas such as JVC, Dubai Marina and Business Bay. It then expanded across Dubai and other cities.
Why it worked
Starting in the densest neighborhoods kept delivery distances short and made the fast promise realistic.
Copy it locally
Partner with one well-stocked minimarket in your densest neighborhood and offer express delivery only within a small radius. Expand the zone only when delivery times stay reliable.
Where they are weak
Every giant has blind spots. These are the ones a focused local operator can turn into an advantage.
In May 2022 Careem's food service held about 4% of UAE food delivery while talabat held most of the market. Food is one service among many in its app, which leaves room for focused local players with deeper restaurant relationships.
Source: AGBICareem Technologies reported an operating loss of AED 447 million in the first half of 2026, up by almost a third. Pressure to cut losses can mean fewer promotions and less attention for smaller restaurants and cities.
Source: AGBIIn May 2026 Careem was reported to have paused food, grocery and quick commerce in Saudi Arabia, keeping only mobility. Restaurants and shoppers left without a service are an opening for a local marketplace.
Source: MENA Startup DigestBuild it with Ordering.co
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Ordering.co is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Careem. Names and trademarks belong to their owners and are used here for commentary and education. Facts come from the public sources listed on this page, checked in October 2026.
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