Key Takeaways
- Foodpanda Malaysia is doubling down on value-for-money offerings and variety through initiatives like “Meal for One” and Pandapro, catering to evolving customer preferences such as solo dining and personalised choices.
- With the expansion of Pandamart and the introduction of panda shops, Foodpanda is positioning itself as an on-demand platform not just for food, but for daily essentials and lifestyle perks—offering over 1,000 products for fast delivery.
- Rider welfare is a key focus, with programs like Panda Hearts, iTEKAD CIMB Islamic, EPF i-Saraan, and new TVET and tertiary education pathways, reflecting a commitment to sustainable gig employment and long-term career support.
- Foodpanda is harnessing AI, machine learning, and strategic collaborations—like its ride-hailing tie-up with Bolt—to enhance user experience, improve logistics, and offer smarter, hyper-localised services for customers and partners.
- Initiatives like EV bike battery swapping, biodegradable packaging, and financial support for Bumiputera merchants show Foodpanda’s commitment to green practices and inclusive economic growth.
Affordability, Choice, and Quick Commerce
Foodpanda Malaysia has long been a leading player in the food delivery space, but under the leadership of Tan Ming Luk, the company is focusing on taking its operations to the next level. With an eye on empowering local businesses and riders, Tan outlines priorities to guide the company’s growth strategy in 2025.
“My primary goal is to lead and transform Foodpanda Malaysia into becoming the preferred delivery platform for Malaysians nationwide,” said Tan. “Naturally, this goes hand-in-hand with empowering local businesses and riders, the cornerstones of our operations.”
Affordability is central to this vision. Tan emphasised that Foodpanda’s commitment to offering value-for-money, quality meals to customers, alongside innovative plans such as the expansion of the “Meal for One” initiative and continued growth of the Pandapro subscription programme to cater to customer needs amid a rising trend of solo dining.
These efforts aim to make Foodpanda more affordable and reduce delivery fees, making it a go-to platform for various dining preferences. “We’re constantly seeking new ways to enhance these benefits to provide comprehensive lifestyle perks that enhance our customers’ quality of life,” he explained.
Choice is another pillar of Tan’s strategy, ensuring customers can access various food and grocery options. “Whether it’s a favourite drink or essential groceries, customers have access to their preferred items; we’re driven to cement ourselves fully as a platform that offers a range of accessibility and choice.”
Beyond variety, the expansion is strengthening Foodpanda’s relationship with its riders. By offering a choice of flexible working arrangements, competitive earnings, and exclusive benefits, Tan aims to ensure that Foodpanda remains the platform of choice for riders in Malaysia. “We want to inspire job satisfaction, confidence, and mutual growth.”
Quick Commerce focuses on growing Pandamart, Foodpanda’s on-demand grocery service, and launching panda shops, offering customers on-demand deliveries for daily essentials. With over 1,000 products in its catalogue and plans for further expansion, Foodpanda is positioning itself as Malaysia’s go-to platform for groceries and daily necessities.
The Future of Riders
Foodpanda recognises both the opportunities and challenges of gig employment. According to Tan, gig work has provided millions of Malaysians with flexible income and entrepreneurship opportunities, but it also presents concerns surrounding stability, social security, and career growth.
“At Foodpanda, we are committed to ensuring our delivery partners have access to resources and benefits that safeguard their safety and wellbeing,” highlighted Tan. “Our riders are the backbone of our operations, and we engage closely with them to understand their needs and challenges.”
One of Foodpanda’s standout initiatives to support riders is the Panda Hearts programme, which focuses on wellbeing, personal development, safety, community, and welfare. This programme provides full insurance coverage, including protection under the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneur Programme and access to retirement savings through the EPF i-Saraan programme.
Tan also revealed plans to expand these initiatives, emphasising upskilling. “Through a collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, our riders will have access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses,” he said.
“We’ve also signed an MoU with higher education institutions, which allows our riders to pursue tertiary education.”
Tan Ming Luk, Managing Director, Foodpanda Malaysia
The company constantly engages with riders to understand their feedback and needs and regularly systems and policies to ensure they remain fair and equitable to delivery partners and vendors.
Leveraging Technology for Growth
Tan’s experience in e-commerce operations and strategic partnerships enables the company to innovate through artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. “We see significant opportunities in leveraging AI and automation to streamline logistics, optimise delivery routes, and personalise customer recommendations,” Tan explained. “Additionally, by focusing on hyper-localised strategies, we can better support our vendor and rider partners.”
A notable recent partnership is Foodpanda’s collaboration with Bolt, Malaysia’s newest ride-hailing service. This partnership offers Pandapro users exclusive discounts on rides, further expanding the lifestyle perks available to Foodpanda customers. Tan also highlighted the use of machine learning to deliver more personalised and curated recommendations to customers, ensuring that Foodpanda remains a reliable and customer-centric platform. For riders, Tan envisions tools offering better route optimisation, real-time support, and more transparent earnings insights.
A Greener Future for Delivery
Sustainability is a core value at Foodpanda, and under Tan’s leadership, the company is continuing to build on its green initiatives. From adopting biodegradable packaging and offering greener transport options to launching its electric vehicle (EV) bike battery swapping project, in collaboration with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).The battery-swapping technology allows riders to replace depleted batteries in minutes, addressing key barriers such as range anxiety and charging downtime.
Introducing options like Foodpanda walkers and e-bikes reflects a broader commitment to reducing delivery emissions. At the same time, Pandamart’s shift to paper packaging and biodegradable plastic bags are small but significant steps in reducing waste.
“As part of this pilot, 40 EV bikes will undergo a two-month trial. We’re proud to be among the key players supporting this initiative,” said Tan. “Sustainability will remain a core pillar of our strategy as we continue collaborating with like-minded partners and investing in technologies that minimise our environmental footprint,” emphasised Tan.
Collaboration for Economic Growth
Foodpanda is not just focused on delivering meals; it’s also working to strengthen the gig ecosystem and support local businesses. By partnering with Funding Societies, Southeast Asia’s largest SME digital finance platform, Foodpanda offers financial support to Bumiputera merchants, helping them scale and grow.
“We frequently highlight local businesses on our platform and seek meaningful ways to engage with and support our stakeholders,” said Tan. In addition to providing financial support, Foodpanda continues to create job opportunities, empower individuals, and contribute to the economic growth of local communities.
“With the government soon to table the new Gig Workers Economy Bill, we look forward to collaborating closely with the government alongside our fellow stakeholders to determine how we can best move forward with a framework that will protect gig workers without restricting the sector’s growth.”
A Vision for the Future
Tan’s vision for Foodpanda Malaysia involves innovation, empowerment, and sustainability. With a focus on affordability, choice, and quick commerce, he is dedicated to creating a platform that benefits customers, riders, and businesses.
“As we work to implement and drive greater growth for the platform, we are committed to ensuring that we maintain trust and transparency across our business practices,” said Tan, adding that Foodpanda aims to lead the way in transforming the delivery space while ensuring its stakeholders thrive and by giving back to the community.
