IFood

iFood is a Brazilian company that operates in the segment of food delivery. It was founded in 2011 by Felipe Fioravante and Patrick Sigrist. The company is part of the Movile group, which also includes PlayKids, Sympla and Zoop.

History

iFood was created in 2011, initially as a website for ordering food from restaurants. In 2012, the company launched its mobile application, which allowed customers to order food directly from their smartphones. The application quickly gained popularity, and by 2013, it was the most downloaded food delivery app in Brazil.

In 2014, iFood expanded its operations to Mexico, and in 2015, it entered the Colombian market. The company continued its international expansion in the following years, entering markets such as Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

Business Model

iFood operates on a platform business model, where it connects customers with restaurants and delivery drivers. Customers can browse through the menus of participating restaurants, place an order, and track the delivery in real time. The company charges a commission from the restaurants for each order placed through its platform.

iFood also offers a subscription service, called iFood Prime, which allows customers to place unlimited orders for a monthly fee. This service is available in select cities in Brazil.

Criticism and Controversy

iFood has faced criticism for its treatment of delivery drivers, who are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification has been criticized for denying drivers the benefits and protections that are typically afforded to employees.

In 2020, iFood drivers in Brazil organized a series of strikes to protest their working conditions and pay. The company has also faced legal challenges in several countries over its classification of drivers.

See Also

• Food delivery
• Platform business model
• Gig economy