By Brazil Stock Guide – Brazil’s restaurant trade group Abrasel has asked to join Meituan’s (3690.HK) Keeta in its antitrust complaint against 99Food at the nation’s competition watchdog, Cade. The petition, filed on Sept. 26, aims to provide market insights as the dispute unfolds.
Keeta, Meituan’s international food delivery brand, accused 99Food of inserting “anticompetitive clauses” in contracts that restricted restaurants from working with Keeta and, in some cases, with Rappi. In exchange, 99Food allegedly offered financial incentives, Valor Econômico reported.
Abrasel said its participation is based on a track record of defending competition in Brazil’s food delivery market, including supporting an earlier case against iFood. “Platforms should compete for the preference of consumers and restaurants through competitive fees, better services and innovation, not by capturing channels and partners with the goal of excluding competitors,” the group said in its petition.
The outcome of the Cade probe will hinge on how regulators define the “relevant market.” Analysts note that 99Food’s relatively small share in Brazil could complicate the case.
Food delivery has once again become a hotly contested sector in Brazil in 2025. In April, 99Food announced a 1 billion reais investment to resume operations and expand to 100 cities by mid-2026. Meituan revealed in May it would invest 5.6 billion reais to launch Keeta in the country in November. In August, even before operations began, Keeta filed a separate lawsuit in São Paulo state court alleging anticompetitive practices by 99Food.
Keeta reiterated its commitment to “fair conditions” and “free market principles” in Brazil’s delivery sector. 99Food has not yet commented.
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