Talabatey: An Iraqi Success Story

Since its inception in July 2016, Talabatey, one of Iraq’s leading food delivery apps, has held a clear vision to establish itself as a pioneer in the food delivery industry in Iraq and ultimately become the market leader in this domain. Six years later, Talabatey has not only achieved its initial goal but has also embarked on a horizontal expansion into ancillary services, establishing marketplace offerings and cloud kitchens, providing transportation services for businesses, and supporting the digital transformation of individuals. Our ambition for the years to come is for Talabatey to become an indispensable daily application for everyone.

A core tenet of Talabatey’s vision lies in its sustainability, striving to operate and grow without relying on external financing. True to this principle, Talabatey reached profitability early on while maintaining steady growth and net profits. In the first quarter of 2022, order growth surpassed 200% year-on-year, accompanied by a remarkable 20% net profit margin. This remarkable success stems from several factors:

1. Balanced Cost Management: Talabatey employs over 500 local personnel (excluding drivers) across various specialties, minimizing labor costs while fostering a deep understanding of the local market dynamics.
2. Provincial Expansion: From the outset, Talabatey expanded its reach to all eighteen governorates in Iraq. Recently, it has further extended its presence to districts and sub-districts, currently covering over ten districts, with plans to expand to encompass all districts in the near future.
3. Localized Systems and Applications: Talabatey’s processes, systems, and applications are entirely homegrown, designed, developed, and implemented specifically to align with the needs of restaurant owners, drivers, and Iraqi employees. This tailored approach has facilitated seamless workflow integration and ample room for continuous improvement.
4. Pioneering Service Expansion: Talabatey was the first to establish cloud marketplaces, later transitioning them into a hybrid model combining cloud and traditional marketplaces. Currently, Talabatey owns four major marketplaces in Baghdad, set to expand to eight in the near future. Moreover, Talabatey will soon unveil cloud kitchens housing over ten diverse kitchens, marking the first of its kind in Iraq, exclusively for Talabatey.
5. Employee-Centric Workplace: Talabatey boasts three main headquarters spanning 2,000 square meters each in Baghdad, equipped with all the elements for a comfortable and productive work environment. These facilities operate within systems designed by the company itself, complemented by secondary headquarters in each governorate and driver hubs, bringing the total number of Talabatey headquarters to over 30 across Iraq, catering to the needs of its employees.

Finally, the message that Talabatey stands to deliver is that Iraqi companies and professionals can deliver cutting-edge services, even in technical domains, and achieve global recognition.