# iFood Files Lawsuit Against Keeta Over Predatory Pricing Allegations The Brazilian delivery giant accuses the Chinese-backed competitor of using illicit subsidies. - **Source:** [Poder360](https://www.poder360.com.br) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7c1b8214-dd0f-4e68-808b-39f9dc3fcb44 ## Legal Action in São Paulo On November 4, 2026, iFood filed a lawsuit at the São Paulo State Court against Keeta, the international arm of China's Meituan. The filing alleges anticompetitive conduct, specifically citing predatory pricing and the illicit poaching of restaurants currently under exclusive contracts with iFood, which disrupts the established local delivery ecosystem. ## Allegations of Artificial Subsidies iFood claims Keeta operates at a deficit in Brazil, funded by its parent company to artificially lower prices. The plaintiff has requested a formal economic-financial audit to quantify these subsidies. They argue that such practices create a coupon bubble that threatens long-term sustainability for restaurants, delivery workers, and final consumers. ## Keeta Defends Market Entry Keeta responded by labeling the lawsuit a defensive move by a monopolist attempting to protect its dominant position. The company asserts that it is an entrant bringing global technology and experience to a market that has historically been restricted by iFood’s aggressive exclusivity clauses, which Keeta claims limit consumer choice. ## Dispute Over Market Dynamics Keeta currently operates in 32 cities, including the São Paulo metropolitan area. The company maintains that its use of coupons is a standard market practice intended to encourage user experimentation. They argue that their presence provides a necessary alternative in a sector they describe as dysfunctional and currently lacking fair competition. ## Regulatory Context and History The conflict highlights ongoing tensions regarding market concentration in Brazil's delivery sector. Keeta notes that iFood is already under scrutiny by CADE, the Brazilian competition authority, for alleged non-compliance with previous agreements regarding exclusivity clauses. This legal battle adds another layer of complexity to the regulatory oversight of the industry. ## Impact on Local Stakeholders Both companies claim their actions benefit the broader ecosystem. iFood warns that predatory pricing will eventually lead to higher costs and fewer opportunities for workers once subsidies cease. Conversely, Keeta argues that the current monopoly keeps services expensive and of lower quality, hindering innovation and growth for local restaurant partners. ## The Role of Judicial Expertise The court-ordered audit requested by iFood will be critical in determining whether Keeta's pricing strategies constitute predatory behavior under Brazilian law. If the court finds evidence of artificial price suppression, it could lead to significant operational changes for the Chinese-backed platform and potentially reshape the competitive landscape of delivery. ## Future Market Implications This legal confrontation underscores the difficulty of challenging a dominant market player in the delivery sector. As the case proceeds, the outcome will likely influence how foreign entrants approach the Brazilian market. Observers should monitor upcoming court decisions, as they may set a precedent for future competition and pricing regulations. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-economia/ifood-aciona-justica-contra-keeta-por-praticas-predatorias/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._