Higher order numbers deliver revenue rise for Talabat

Online food ordering and delivery company Talabat said revenue jumped by more than a quarter in 2025, supported by high order volume and new customer acquisition.

Revenue climbed 31 percent annually to $3.9 billion last year, driven by a higher share of Talabat Mart, its grocery vertical, and subscription revenues, which offset lower commission rates, the company said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

Net profit increased 34 percent year on year to $464 million.

The food vertical rose by 20 percent year on year, while grocery and retail jumped 47 percent.

Gross merchandise value – the total value paid by customers, including value-added tax, delivery fees, other fees and subsidies – grew 27 percent to $9.4 billion due to increasing order volume across all markets.

Revenue rose 26 percent annually to $1 billion in the October to December period. However, net profit fell 11 percent year on year to $123 million as a result of increased corporate income tax rates of 15 percent in the GCC markets and base effects, including deferred tax income in the prior year. 

Free cash flow stood at $599 million by the end of 2025.

Toon Gyssels, who took over as CEO in November, said the company has earmarked more than $100 million in investments for 2026 to expand its multi-vertical subscriber base by enhancing its loyalty subscription programme and scaling Talabat Mart.

The board recommended a final dividend of $219 million, bringing total dividends for 2025 to $421 million. This represents a 90 percent payout of reported net income and exceeds its previous guidance of $400 million.

Talabat estimates net income to range from $280 to $310 million and free cash flow of $370-400 million this year. The dividend policy remains unchanged.

Talabat was listed on the DFM in December 2024, raising $2 billion in an initial public offering, which increased from 15 percent to 20 percent following strong investor demand.  

The shares closed lower at AED0.956 on Friday, up nearly 2 percent year to date.

Delivery Hero Mena Holding owns 80 percent of the company, according to DFM data.

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