This guide explains how to register, onboard, and go live on Keeta. It is written for founders and operators who want a simple, step-by-step checklist.
If you are launching a cloud kitchen or delivery-only restaurant in the UAE, Keeta is one of the most strategically interesting platforms to list on right now. Keeta is the international brand of Meituan, the world’s largest food delivery company, and launched its UAE operations in 2025 with an aggressive expansion strategy covering all seven emirates.
Because Keeta is still in its growth phase in the UAE, competition among restaurant listings is significantly lower than on established platforms. Brands that onboard early benefit from priority visibility in Keeta’s launch campaigns, organic traffic distribution through the platform’s algorithm, and a partnership model that has been described by restaurant owners as transparent and hands-on.
This guide explains how to register on Keeta, what documents you need, and how the onboarding process typically works. Whether you are starting a new delivery brand or expanding to additional platforms, this step-by-step guide will help you understand the Keeta partner registration process.
Start from the official Keeta merchant portal at merchant.keeta-global.com/ae/web/joinin to begin your registration. Keeta’s sign-up process is designed to be straightforward, and the team is actively onboarding new restaurant partners across the UAE.
Note: Keeta launched a Founding Vendor Program for early restaurant partners in the UAE, which offered zero setup costs and priority exposure during the national launch campaign. Contact the Keeta UAE partnerships team directly through the merchant portal to find out what onboarding terms are currently available. Always apply through the official portal or partner with FoodWork for streamlined onboarding.
Enter your business name, kitchen address, contact details, and basic brand information. Keep details consistent with your trade license to avoid delays.
After submission, Keeta verifies your details and reviews your documents as part of the onboarding process. Trade license and food safety compliance approvals are typically required. Keeta’s team is known for being responsive during onboarding and works directly with partners to get them set up quickly.
Keep your documents ready before applying. It reduces back-and-forth and speeds up approval.
Once your account is approved, the next stage is your listing setup including menu, prices, add-ons, item photos, and operational hours. Keeta’s algorithm organically distributes customer traffic, which means your listing does not need paid in-app promotions to get discovered. A well-structured menu from day one puts you in a strong position.
Keeta is the newest entrant in the UAE, backed by Meituan, and it is buying market share with lower commercials and free in-app visibility. Here is what you need, what it costs, how long it takes and why applications get held up.
A valid UAE trade licence whose activity covers food preparation, catering or delivery. If the activity line is wrong, nothing else matters.
A food establishment permit from the relevant authority: Dubai Municipality, ADAFSA in Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah Municipality.
A licensed commercial kitchen address with a Makani number or map pin. Residential addresses need a home food licence.
Establishment card, memorandum of association where applicable, and the passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory.
An IBAN letter for an account in the licensed company name. Personal accounts are refused.
Your TRN certificate if the business is VAT registered.
The brand name as it appears on the licence, or an NOC if you trade under a different name.
A complete menu with item names, descriptions, prices, modifiers and allergen notes.
Original photographs shot to the platform image spec. Stock and watermarked images are rejected.
A phone number and email that is monitored during trading hours for order and rider issues.
Have all ten ready before you open the application. Every item missing on day one adds days, and in some cases restarts the review.
Commission is the largest single line in a delivery-only P&L, so model it before you sign rather than after your first payout.
| Line | Indicative rate | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | Not publicly disclosed, positioned below the incumbents | Keeta negotiates individually while it builds supply |
| Founding vendor terms | Zero setup and zero registration fees | Launch programme aimed at early partners |
| Organic in-app visibility | Included for early partners | Free placement while the platform builds its customer base |
| Payment processing | About 2% to 3% | Charged on card orders |
The launch terms of a new platform are the best terms you will ever get from it. If you are joining Keeta, get the rate and the visibility commitments written into the contract with a defined term, rather than relying on a launch offer that can be withdrawn.
These are indicative market ranges gathered from UAE operators and public reporting, not published rate cards. Platforms negotiate individually and terms change, so treat the figures as a planning range and confirm the rate in your own contract before you commit.
Each stage below assumes your documents are complete and correct. The clock restarts on any stage where the platform has to come back to you.
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Application submitted | Same day | Partner form completed with licence and contact details |
| Account and document review | 2 to 5 working days | Trade licence, food permit and bank details checked |
| Contract issued and signed | 1 to 3 working days | Commission and launch terms confirmed |
| Menu build and photo approval | 3 to 7 working days | Menu loaded into the partner dashboard |
| Go live | 1 to 3 working days | Listing switched on in your delivery zone |
Two to four weeks from application to first order. Onboarding speed varies by zone as Keeta expands its rider coverage across the UAE.
Almost every stalled application in the UAE comes down to one of these. Check them before you submit, not after the rejection email.
Keeta is in active growth mode across the UAE. Brands that build a strong order history and positive review base now will be far better positioned as the platform scales and more restaurants join. The window to establish early advantage is open right now.
Keeta's customer base is growing and early impressions matter. Food that arrives well-packaged and correctly priced builds the kind of trust that generates repeat orders and strong ratings on a platform where every review carries significant weight at this stage.
Fix operational causes of low reviews first, then scale volume. Otherwise recovery becomes slow. Keeta places a strong emphasis on service reliability and merchant quality, so maintaining consistent operations from day one is important.
Keeta's Founding Vendor Program offered zero setup and registration fees for early partners in the UAE. Current onboarding terms may vary. Always confirm the commercial conditions directly with the Keeta UAE partnerships team during registration.
Keeta's onboarding process is designed to be fast. The exact timeline depends on document readiness and menu setup, but the team is actively working to get new partners live quickly given the platform's current expansion phase.
Most delays come from mismatched license details, missing approvals, or incomplete menu setup. Having all documents prepared before you apply and being responsive during verification will help you get live faster.
Keeta onboarding becomes straightforward when your documents, menu, and operations are ready before you apply. If you want faster onboarding and a clean launch, FoodWork coordinates your documentation, platform registration, menu setup, listing readiness, and launch hygiene.
Share a few details and our team will guide you through the onboarding process on WhatsApp.
Fill the details below and send an enquiry on WhatsApp.
+971 52 288 5400
2101, Court Tower, Business Bay, Dubai UAE
hello@foodwork.ae
© 2026 FoodWork. All rights reserved
