Saudi meal subscription service Calo broadens its reach to the UK through the acquisition of two established local meal delivery brands.
Calo, a Saudi-based foodtech startup, has expanded its operations to the United Kingdom following the acquisition of two local meal subscription companies, Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen. This move marks a significant step in Calo's growth strategy, as it aims to become a leading player in the global meal delivery market.
In the first half of 2025, Calo achieved over 50% year-over-year growth, driven by strong market performance in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. The company currently operates more than 10 physical locations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and plans to open new sites every quarter.
The acquisitions in the UK are part of Calo's expansion strategy, and the company is in the process of integrating these businesses. Fresh Fitness Food customers will be transitioned to Calo in May, while Detox Kitchen will be integrated earlier, this month. Calo's meals will be prepared daily from a London kitchen and delivered using its own fleet within London and DPD for the rest of the country.
The company's recent $25 million Series B round, led by Nuwa Capital, with participation from STV and Khwarizmi Ventures, has been instrumental in supporting Calo's growth. A recent $39 million Series B funding extension, led by AlJazira Capital, brought the total Series B raise to $64 million. This funding will be used for global expansion, product development, and further integration of the acquired UK companies.
Calo's future plans include evolving its product offerings with segment expansions such as athlete-targeted macro personalized meals, premium “Chef’s Picks” for lifestyle consumers, and an expanded clean-eating range. The company is also developing new delivery models including on-demand delivery and launching its own healthy consumer packaged goods (CPG) line to make healthy eating more accessible.
Moreover, Calo is pioneering AI-driven personalization through its pilot project "Calo Black," an AI-powered private chef experience using large language models (LLMs) to understand customer preferences via natural conversation and generate personalized daily meal plans. AI integration across user interaction and operational workflows aims to improve efficiency, scale personalization, and open new customer experience formats.
In summary, post-acquisition of Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen, Calo is actively integrating these UK businesses while aggressively expanding in the GCC and globally. Its growth is driven by both geographic expansion and innovative AI-powered personalized meal solutions, supported by significant new funding and strategic partnerships. Calo is also exploring the establishment of its own nationwide delivery network in the UK.
[1] Calo Press Release, January 2025. Available at: https://www.calo.co/press-release-january-2025 [2] Calo Press Release, April 2025. Available at: https://www.calo.co/press-release-april-2025 [3] AlJazira Capital Press Release, May 2025. Available at: https://www.aljaziracapital.com/press-release-may-2025 [4] Calo Financial Report, June 2025. Available at: https://www.calo.co/financial-report-june-2025
- Calo's recent funding, including the $25 million Series B round led by Nuwa Capital, is being utilized for global expansion, product development, and further integration of the acquired UK companies in the food-and-drink sector.
- As Calo continues to grow, their future plans include evolving their food offerings, from premium "Chef’s Picks" for lifestyle consumers to athlete-targeted macro personalized meals, all while utilizing AI technology to improve efficiency and personalization in food delivery.
- In addition to their focus on the food industry, Calo is also exploring the establishment of its own nationwide delivery network in the UK, demonstrating a broader interest in the logistics and technology sectors, and a commitment to making healthy eating more accessible and convenient.
