The Growing Demand for Customized Meal Services

The meal delivery market in the Middle East is predicted to reach $11.2 billion by 2030, driven by a significant increase in demand for convenient and healthy eating options. Amid the growing trend of ordering food instead of preparing it at home, companies like Careem, Deliveroo, and Talabat have built strong businesses around delivering meals. However, Calo is setting itself apart by focusing on customized, health-conscious meal plans tailored to specific dietary needs such as weight loss, muscle gain, and health conditions like diabetes or IBS.

Calo’s Unique Approach to Meal Customization

Calo’s meal subscription service offers a highly personalized experience for its customers. Unlike traditional meal delivery services, Calo specializes in delivering balanced meals, high-protein dishes, low-carb options, and vegetarian meals, all based on the user’s specific health goals. The ability to personalize meal portions for protein, carbs, and fat intake further elevates the experience, making Calo a preferred choice for those with particular health goals.

Calo’s premise is simple: people who care about the nutritional quality of their food and are looking for convenience are willing to pay a premium for meals that meet their dietary needs.

Calo’s Global Expansion and Acquisition Plans

To take advantage of growing opportunities, Calo has raised $25 million in Series B funding, led by Nuwa Capital, with participation from Khwarizm Ventures and STV. This brings the company’s valuation to approximately $250 million. The company plans to expand its reach beyond the Middle East by acquiring an unnamed food startup in the UK in 2025. This acquisition will pave the way for its entry into international markets and further increase its global footprint.

Currently operating in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, Calo has already served 10 million meals in 2024, with the average cost of a meal ranging from $7 to $9. Saudi Arabia remains the largest market, accounting for 70% of Calo’s revenue.

How Calo is Redefining Convenience in Meal Delivery

Calo has leveraged a simple yet effective business model: customized meal delivery that fits into the busy schedules of professionals. Customers can select meal plans for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, with options to skip days or pause subscriptions. This flexibility has contributed to Calo’s success in the region, making it a preferred service among professionals who need healthy meals delivered quickly.

The company operates with a lean and efficient logistical model, with one central kitchen per city and a fleet of 200 delivery vans. This allows Calo to offer quick delivery services while keeping operational costs low.

Future Roadmap and Expansion Beyond the GCC

Looking forward, Calo plans to introduce even more personalization features for its users. This could include specifying exact quantities of nutrients in each meal or offering more specialized options to address health conditions like PCOS or IBS. Additionally, Calo is exploring new business models like retail kiosks for grab-and-go meals at corporate offices and on-demand delivery for added convenience.

Saudi Arabia and UAE will remain central to Calo’s growth strategy, but the company is also eyeing international expansion. As Calo moves closer to profitability, the startup plans to go public in Saudi Arabia in the coming years.

Conclusion: Calo’s Impact on the Meal Delivery Market

With $25 million in fresh funding and ambitious expansion plans, Calo is set to continue transforming the ready-to-eat meal market. Their focus on personalized nutrition, convenience, and health-conscious eating makes them a standout player in the competitive meal delivery industry.

Calo’s ability to deliver healthy, customized meals has proven successful in the Middle East, and as the company prepares for international growth, it’s clear that the future of meal delivery is more personalized and healthier than ever before.

For more information on Calo’s services and to explore their customizable meal options, you can visit Calo’s official website.