Uber Technologies, Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to buy Postmates Inc. for approximately $2.65 billion in an all-stock transaction. The merger brings together Uber’s global Rides and Eats platform with Postmates’ U.S. delivery business and is expected to close in Q1 2021.
“Uber and Postmates have long shared a belief that platforms like ours can power much more than just food delivery—they can be a hugely important part of local commerce and communities, all the more important during crises like COVID-19,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “As more people and more restaurants have come to use our services, Q2 bookings on Uber Eats are up more than 100% year-on-year. We’re thrilled to welcome Postmates to the Uber family as we innovate together to deliver better experiences for consumers, delivery people, and merchants across the country.”
Uber said Postmates complements Uber Eats with differentiated geographic focus areas and customer demographics, and Postmates’ strong relationships with small- and medium-sized restaurants, particularly local favorites. Additionally, Postmates has been an early pioneer of “delivery-as-a-service,” which complements Uber’s growing efforts in the delivery of groceries, essentials, and other goods.
The merger will offer restaurants and merchants more tools and technology to more easily and cost-effectively connect with a bigger consumer base. Consumers will have an expanded choice across a wider range of restaurants and other merchants. According to Uber, delivery people will enjoy more opportunities to earn income, with increased batching of orders to make better use of their time.
Following the closing of the transaction, Uber intends to keep the consumer-facing Postmates app running separately, supported by a more efficient, combined merchant and delivery network. Last month Uber added a new Pickup map experience to the Uber Eats app to allow users to more easily check out neighborhood restaurants while on the go.
“Over the past eight years we have been focused on a single mission: enable anyone to have anything delivered to them on-demand,” said Postmates Co-Founder and CEO Bastian Lehmann. “Joining forces with Uber will continue that mission as we continue to build Postmates while creating an even stronger platform that brings this mission to life for our customers. Uber and Postmates have been strong allies working together to advocate and create the best practices across our industry, especially for our couriers. Together we can ensure that as our industry continues to grow, it will do so for the benefit of everyone in the communities we serve.”
The transaction comes on the heels of the June $7.3 billion mega-deal, which saw Dutch food delivery company Just Eat Takeaway agree to buy Grubhub for $7.3 billion. That deal will create the world’s largest online food delivery company outside of China and provide Just Eat Takeaway a major entry into the U.S. market.
Uber currently estimates that it will issue approximately 84 million shares of common stock for 100% of the fully diluted equity of Postmates. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction, and stockholders representing a majority of Postmates’ outstanding shares have committed to support the transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval of Postmates stockholders, regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to Uber. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP as legal counsel to Postmates.
