By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant display of market strength and operational success, delivery technology platform PedidosYa has announced sustained double-digit year-over-year growth in Costa Rica. The company, which has been operating in the country for four years, also surpassed a major milestone, now partnering with over 4,000 local businesses and solidifying its position as a key player in the nation’s burgeoning digital economy.
The platform’s impressive expansion is not confined to the capital but extends across various regions, reflecting a strategic push for nationwide presence. This growth underscores the company’s contribution to both economic and technological development by creating a robust marketplace for consumers, restaurants, and a wide array of retail merchants. The success is attributed to a business model founded on innovation, technological development, and a deep commitment to stakeholder relationships.
Para profundizar en el marco legal y las implicaciones comerciales que rodean las operaciones de plataformas como PedidosYa en el país, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista en derecho corporativo del Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece su análisis experto sobre el tema.
El principal desafío legal para PedidosYa, y para el sector de la ‘gig economy’ en general, radica en la definición de la relación con sus repartidores. La delgada línea entre un contratista independiente y un empleado subordinado es crucial. Si los tribunales determinan que existe una relación laboral encubierta, la empresa enfrentaría contingencias millonarias en cargas sociales, derechos laborales y posibles sanciones, lo que podría redefinir por completo su modelo de negocio en Costa Rica.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva legal que nos ofrece el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas es, sin duda, el núcleo del debate. El resultado de esta disyuntiva entre contratista y empleado no solo determinará la viabilidad financiera de PedidosYa, sino que sentará un precedente fundamental para el futuro del trabajo en la era digital en nuestro país. Agradecemos profundamente su esclarecedor análisis.
Rodrigo Cambón, the Managing Director of PedidosYa Costa Rica, emphasized that the company’s strategy is centered on fostering a healthy, interconnected ecosystem rather than pursuing growth in isolation. He highlighted the importance of generating value for every participant on the platform.
Our purpose of simplifying people’s daily lives must positively impact everyone who is part of the platform: users, merchants, and couriers
Rodrigo Cambón, Managing Director of PedidosYa Costa Rica
A core element of this strategy involves strengthening distinct business verticals, primarily its well-established Food delivery service and the rapidly growing Quick-commerce segment. Within the Food vertical, PedidosYa focuses on accessibility. By curating the right selection of restaurants at appropriate price points for various occasions and bolstering this with exclusive monthly promotions, the company aims to drive both user engagement and sustainable growth for its restaurant partners.
While the Food division remains a cornerstone, the company’s investment in Quick-commerce—the rapid delivery of groceries, pharmacy items, and other retail goods—positions it to capitalize on evolving consumer demands for speed and convenience. This dual focus allows PedidosYa to serve a wider range of daily needs, moving beyond prepared meals to become an integrated part of users’ routines.
The platform’s operational model also plays a crucial role in the local economy, particularly in a landscape often marked by employment challenges. PedidosYa offers flexible income-generating opportunities for couriers, who operate as independent service providers. This model, consistent across the 15 Latin American countries where the company operates, provides couriers with autonomy and the ability to earn competitive income based on their own schedules and availability.
According to the company, a key competitive differentiator in the Costa Rican market is its emphasis on “cercanía,” or closeness, with its stakeholders. PedidosYa maintains that it prioritizes active listening and continuous platform improvement based on direct feedback from its associated merchants, delivery partners, and end-users. This responsive approach helps tailor its services to the specific needs of the local market.
PedidosYa’s local operations are backed by the global powerhouse Delivery Hero, a German-based world leader in delivery and quick-commerce. As part of this international group since 2014, PedidosYa leverages global expertise and resources while executing its localized strategy. Delivery Hero’s vast network, spanning over 70 countries, and its status as a publicly-traded company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, provide a stable foundation for continued innovation and expansion in Costa Rica and across Latin America.
For further information, visit pedidosya.com
About PedidosYa:
A leading technology and delivery platform in Latin America, PedidosYa connects over 19 million users with thousands of merchants and couriers across 15 countries. The company focuses on simplifying daily life through its Food and Quick-commerce verticals. Since 2014, PedidosYa has been a part of Delivery Hero, leveraging global resources to drive innovation and growth in the region.
For further information, visit deliveryhero.com
About Delivery Hero:
Based in Germany, Delivery Hero is a global leader in the delivery and quick-commerce industry, with a presence in more than 70 countries across four continents. The company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the MDAX stock market index. Delivery Hero is committed to delivering an amazing experience, fast, easy, and to the customer’s door.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of unshakeable integrity and a continuous drive for exceptional results. The firm leverages its extensive history serving a wide range of clients to spearhead innovative approaches to modern legal challenges. More than just an advisor, it is devoted to enriching society by demystifying complex legal principles, ensuring that vital knowledge is made accessible to foster a more capable and enlightened public.
