Chowdeck Acquires Mira to Expand Beyond Food Delivery Into Restaurant Management Solutions

Nigerian food delivery startup Chowdeck has acquired Mira, a restaurant point-of-sale (pos) and management system, to extend its reach into the operational core of Africa’s food businesses.

Announced by CEO Femi Aluko, the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed. With this acquisition, Chowdeck aims to address inventory management challenges and strengthen its vendor ecosystem, positioning itself as a key infrastructure provider in a competitive market.

Mira, launched by Ted Oladele, offers QR-code ordering, inventory tracking, sales monitoring, customer engagement tools, and POS hardware priced at $360,000. With over 500 clients and $200,000 raised in a pre-seed round, Mira’s team, led by Oladele, who is now Chowdeck’s new Head of Product, will develop tailored solutions for food and hospitality businesses.

The acquisition supports Chowdeck’s “super app for Africa” vision, delivering food, groceries, and pharmaceuticals while competing with global players alike. Analysts view this as vertical integration, which enables control over the entire supply chain, from order fulfillment to restaurant operations.

Chowdeck’s acquisition of Mira is coming after the food delivery startup expanded operations to Ghana in May, marking its first expansion outside Nigeria. To further empower riders and foster a culture of achievement, the startup introduced “Rider Games,” an engaging performance-based reward system.

This innovative program allows riders to earn tangible cash bonuses by consistently meeting and exceeding their delivery targets, directly incentivizing efficiency and dedication. Chowdeck reports that it is on track to complete 1,000 deliveries in Accra within two months, a milestone that reportedly took a year to reach in Nigeria.

Founded in 2021 by Femi Aluko and Olumide Ojo, Chowdeck operates as a logistics platform, partnering with restaurants, cloud kitchens, and local vendors to offer a wide range of cuisines and products. It emphasizes affordability and speed, with delivery times often under an hour, catering to Africa’s fast-paced urban markets.

In April 2024, Chowdeck secured $2.5 million in seed funding led by Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, and FounderX Ventures, among others. This capital has supported its expansion, including scaling its logistics network and enhancing its tech infrastructure. The company has also partnered with thousands of restaurants, from small-scale eateries to major chains, competing with platforms like Glovo and Jumia Food.

Last month, Chowdeck unveiled Chowpadi, Nigeria’s first WhatsApp-based food ordering agent, marking a significant leap in food delivery innovation. Designed to blend convenience with fun, Chowpadi allows users to order meals from their favorite restaurants using a simple WhatsApp chat interface.

With over 51 million active WhatsApp users in Nigeria, Chowpadi is strategically positioned to meet customers where they already are on their phones. The new platform makes food ordering fast, easy, and seamless, eliminating the need for app downloads or complex navigation.

This innovative service is powered by a partnership with Lua AI, a trailblazer in conversational technology. Together, Chowdeck and Lua AI have created a user-friendly experience that transforms how Nigerians access food delivery.

Chowdeck’s launch of Chowpadi reflects its ongoing commitment to enhancing customer convenience and redefining digital experiences. Africa’s food delivery market is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2032. Chowdeck’s strategic acquisition and innovative product offerings could redefine the sector by providing end-to-end solutions.

With plans to expand into South Africa and Kenya, Chowdeck’s acquisition could redefine supply chains for food, groceries, and pharmaceuticals across Africa. By addressing both consumer and enterprise needs, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the continent’s growing demand for integrated solutions.