Photo/provided to NBD

DiDi Global's Brazilian platform, 99, officially launched its food delivery service, 99Food, in Rio de Janeiro on October 14th. This strategic expansion into Brazil's second-largest city comes just four months after 99Food restarted its national operations.

The Rio launch is significant for 99, which regards the city as its second-largest market and its biggest market for two-wheeler services.

Key Launch Metrics:

17,000 restaurants onboard, including major chains like McDonald's and Burger King.

Over 50,000 delivery riders registered in Rio.

The move intensifies competition as Chinese rival Meituan is poised to launch its delivery service, Keeta, on October 30th in the pilot cities of Santos and São Vicente. Market friction is already visible, with multiple legal disputes reported between 99 and Keeta since August.

DiDi, which entered Brazil by acquiring 99 in 2018, now serves over 55 million active users and manages 1.5 million drivers across more than 3,300 towns. The company's two-wheeler services alone have surpassed 1 billion orders in the last three years.