Ali Aldamanhori, CEO, Hungerstation
The way we live, work, and transact is undergoing a profound shift. In a world where convenience is currency, consumers expect services to be instant, intuitive, and effortless. Businesses, in turn, face relentless pressure to streamline operations, harness technology, and deliver more with less. But true transformation doesn’t come from simply keeping up—it comes from anticipating change, redefining experiences, and setting new standards. This shift is most evident in sectors that touch everyday life—logistics, fintech, and digital commerce—where inefficiencies were once accepted as the norm. Now, AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making are dismantling traditional bottlenecks, turning once-complex processes into frictionless experiences. But this revolution isn’t happening on its own; it is being driven by bold leaders who don’t just adapt to change but drive it. They recognize that modern economies demand more than isolated solutions; they require interconnected platforms that anticipate needs and remove friction at every touchpoint. Among these transformative leaders stands Ali Aldamanhori, the CEO of Hungerstation, whose pioneering approach is redefining Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape.
For Ali, entrepreneurship wasn’t sparked by a single moment of inspiration but by a series of experiences that shaped his vision and sharpened his resolve to drive meaningful change. From the outset, he was drawn to solving large-scale challenges, particularly in industries where outdated systems struggled to keep up with modern demands. His passion for innovation led him to logistics—an industry ripe for transformation through AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making. This relentless drive for transformation eventually brought him to Hungerstation, where he saw firsthand how AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making could revolutionize delivery and logistics.
A Prolific Journey to Excellence
Ali started his career in SABIC, working as a mechanical engineer in one of their joint ventures with ExxonMobil, Saudi Arabia. This early experience in a highly technical field provided him with a strong foundation in operational efficiency and structured thinking. Eager to expand his expertise beyond engineering, he transitioned into management consulting, joining McKinsey & Company. During his tenure, he worked with global businesses, refining strategies, optimizing operations, and solving complex challenges across industries. His entrepreneurial drive led him to establish Hasb, a payment solutions company in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, where he leveraged technology to enhance financial transactions, further cementing his expertise in digital transformation. Recognizing the growing potential of e-commerce and digital logistics, he took on leadership roles at Delivery Hero, where he played a pivotal role in shaping retail, logistics, operations, and pricing strategies across the MENA region. Rising through the ranks, he eventually took the helm as Chief Operating Officer of HungerStation before stepping into his current role as Chief Executive Officer. Today, Ali continues to drive HungerStation’s growth, shaping the future of e-commerce, last-mile delivery, and digital innovation in the region.
Revolutionizing Food Delivery with Smart Logistics
While working at Delivery Hero, Ali gained firsthand insight into how technology was transforming consumer behavior, logistics, and operations on a global scale. He realized that logistics was no longer just about moving goods from one point to another—it was about precision, speed, and delivering seamless customer experiences. This perspective shaped his approach to operational excellence and strategic decision-making, paving the way for his leadership at HungerStation. As the largest online food ordering platform in Saudi Arabia, HungerStation thrives on cutting-edge technology and advanced logistics, ensuring seamless connections between thousands of restaurants and customers. It was the perfect platform for Ali to bring his vision to life, applying his expertise at scale in Saudi Arabia—a market brimming with potential, fueled by a thriving investment climate and the transformative goals of Vision 2030. “The combination of market growth, customer demand, and the ability to use AI and data to optimize logistics made it an exciting challenge. For me, leadership is about taking on challenges that push the industry forward, and Hungerstation was the perfect place to do that,” asserts Ali.
The Strategic Pillars of Hungerstation’s Success
Hungerstation has solidified its position as Saudi Arabia’s leading online food delivery platform, and its rise is no coincidence. The company’s success stems from a carefully crafted strategy, fueled by scalability, innovative technology, and flawless execution. With over 55,000 restaurant and store partners, Hungerstation offers the widest selection in the country, ensuring their customers always find what they need, whether it’s a local favorite, a cloud kitchen, or daily essentials. It also has one of the most advanced technology stacks in the industry, meticulously designed to meet the unique needs of Saudi consumers. “Our app and AI-driven logistics optimize everything from order recommendations to delivery times, making the experience seamless and efficient,” opines Ali.
Beyond growth, Hungerstation is shaping the future of the industry with a relentless focus on impact and innovation. Hungerstation was the first platform to launch in NEOM, setting a precedent with a fleet of fully electric and hybrid vehicles as part of its sustainability commitment. Additionally, the company has played a crucial role in job creation, with over 40,000 Saudi nationals among its extensive rider network. “Our rider network exceeds 175,000 annually, with over 40,000 Saudi nationals, creating real job opportunities across the country. Our workforce of 1,000+ employees, with 80% Saudization, is another key advantage—our people are our biggest competitive edge,” shares Ali.
Not stopping there, Hungerstation has taken its influence a step further with the launch of the Hungerstation Innovation Hub inside Riyadh Oases in Riyadh. Its first initiative, the Hungerstation Restaurant Academy, is equipping aspiring and established restaurateurs with the tools to optimize menus, manage costs, and scale their businesses in the digital age. Now in its 14th year, Hungerstation continues to achieve high double-digit growth, outpacing competitors in both revenue and profitability. By staying ahead of consumer needs, embracing bold innovation, and executing with precision, Hungerstation remains the dominant force in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
Turning Challenges into Catalysts for Growth
For any business experiencing rapid expansion, the real test is not just how fast it grows but how well it sustains that growth. Hungerstation faced this challenge as soaring demand tested the limits of its operations. Scaling at speed was essential, but with it came operational bottlenecks—delays in deliveries, rider inefficiencies, and customer dissatisfaction. It became clear that expansion alone wasn’t enough; sustainable growth required strategic recalibration. “One of the biggest challenges was balancing rapid growth with operational efficiency. When demand surges, it’s easy to focus purely on scaling, but if you don’t do it right, you start seeing cracks—delays, customer dissatisfaction, and rider frustration,” reflects Ali.
Recognizing this, Hungerstation shifted its focus from expansion to sustainable optimization, prioritizing data-driven decisions, refining fleet management, and using AI to enhance rider performance. It also invested in better training and tools, including facial recognition and telematics technology, which monitors driving behavior and ensures riders adhere to the highest safety standards. This shift from reactive scaling to proactive optimization redefined their growth approach. As Ali puts it, “Growth is great, but sustainable growth is what matters. If you don’t have strong foundations, growth will eventually expose your weaknesses.”
A Leadership Built on Ownership, Agility, and Excellence
Ali leads with a philosophy built on ownership, speed, and high standards—values that are deeply ingrained in Hungerstation’s culture. “We own problems end-to-end, take the best decision for the business, and work with lean, efficient teams that move fast,” affirms Ali. He believes in leading from the front, staying hands-on, and ensuring excellence at every level. For Ali, speed is more than just a competitive advantage—it’s a mindset that he instills in his team at Hungerstation, ensuring they move with efficiency, agility, and precision. The company thrives on rapid decision-making, relentless prioritization, and delivering value swiftly to consumers, riders, and partners.
But Ali knows that performance alone isn’t enough. He strives to foster a culture where people feel motivated, energized, and eager to take on challenges. The team works hard, but they celebrate wins just as enthusiastically, creating an environment where success is shared. Ali continuously raises the bar by setting ambitious goals and fostering a high-performance mindset where direct, constructive feedback drives continuous improvement. Yet, above all, he values humility—believing that ego is the biggest barrier to progress. “Ego kills progress, and success isn’t guaranteed—we’re always learning, challenging ourselves, and adapting,” he emphasizes. This relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with an unwavering commitment to growth and innovation, is what keeps Hungerstation ahead of the curve.
Elevating Service, Expanding Reach, Creating Impact
Forging ahead, Hungerstation is focused on strengthening its core business by expanding choices, enhancing affordability, and elevating the customer experience. The company continues to grow its network of restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, and specialty shops while optimizing costs to make delivery more accessible. At the same time, it’s refining every touchpoint of the customer journey, improving everything from app usability to delivery speed and customer support. Hungerstation is also investing heavily in digital services, with a fast-growing loyalty program, an evolving subscription offering, and continuous app improvements. As part of this commitment, the company introduced the On-Time Guarantee in mid-2024—a bold move ensuring customers receive instant refunds or credits for delays beyond the promised time, setting a new standard for reliability in the industry.
Beyond digital advancements, Hungerstation sees significant opportunities for expansion. While already present in over 100 cities, it continues to expand its reach, bringing its services to more communities and deepening its presence in existing markets. The company is also making bold strides in quick commerce, rapidly expanding its grocery, pharmacy, and essential delivery services to meet increasing consumer demand. At the same time, the company is strengthening its fintech capabilities, developing buy-now-pay-later solutions, vendor financing, and an integrated wallet system—laying the groundwork for a more seamless and accessible payment ecosystem with more innovations on the horizon. Beyond business growth, it is committed to having the largest, most compliant, and safety-focused fleet in Saudi Arabia, setting the standard for organization, efficiency, and compliance. “Personally, these goals align with my broader ambition—to build businesses that don’t just scale fast but create lasting impact. That includes pushing Saudi Arabia’s tech, logistics, and fintech industries forward while ensuring Hungerstation remains the best tech employer in the region, attracting and developing top talent,” says Ali.
Strategic Insights for Aspiring Innovators
For those looking to carve their path in the tech-driven entrepreneurial space, Ali shares hard-earned wisdom: solve real problems, move fast, and never stop learning. He warns against chasing trends, urging founders to focus on creating solutions that truly make a difference. “The best companies are built on deep customer obsession and a relentless ability to adapt,” he shares, emphasizing the importance of staying agile in a fast-evolving market.
Ali also underscores the value of speed over perfection, advising entrepreneurs to move fast, prioritize what matters, and execute relentlessly. He believes that overthinking slows down progress while focusing on what truly matters and executing relentlessly is the key to staying ahead. He also stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with people who challenge and push them to be better—because no one succeeds alone. Above all, he highlights the power of humility and lifelong learning. As he puts it, “The best entrepreneurs never stop learning, because the moment they stop improving, someone else will take the lead.”