Aiqfome

Aiqfome is a Brazilian delivery platform founded in 2007 by Steph Gomides and Igor Remigio. The idea originated from their own frustration with ordering food over the phone, which often resulted in busy lines or incorrect orders. Leveraging their background as graphic designers who created menus for local restaurants, they launched a digital platform to streamline the delivery process. Initially, the service was a web-based gastronomic guide, as many restaurants lacked computers and internet access was still primarily dial-up.

The company operates primarily in small and medium-sized cities in Brazil, with populations ranging from 15,000 to 300,000 inhabitants. Its business model initially involved intermediating orders and payments, with the partner restaurants handling the logistics of delivery. To facilitate expansion, Aiqfome adopted a licensing model, where local entrepreneurs manage the platform's commercial operations in specific geographic areas. This strategy allowed for rapid growth, and by 2020, the platform was present in 350 cities across 21 states, serving over 2 million customers with 17,000 partner restaurants.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Magazine Luiza in September 2020. The acquisition was part of Magalu's strategy to expand its digital ecosystem and transform its main app into a "Super App" by increasing service frequency. Following the acquisition, Aiqfome began integrating with Magalu's services, such as Magalu Pagamentos (payments) and Magalu Entregas (deliveries), and started testing its own logistics operations. The platform has since expanded its offerings beyond restaurants to include deliveries from supermarkets, pharmacies, and pet shops.

Keywords: food delivery, online marketplace, delivery platform, restaurant delivery, local commerce, super app, e-commerce integration, franchise model, licensing model, Brazilian startup, inland cities, grocery delivery, pharmacy delivery, pet shop delivery, mobile ordering, payment processing, logistics services, Magazine Luiza, Steph Gomides, Igor Remigio