Delivery

Just Eat Takeaway closing in on merger with Grubhub

June 10, 2020

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV confirmed that it is in advanced negotiations on an all-stock deal to merge with Grubhub Inc., in a statement released this morning. 

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier today that Just Eat Takeaway.com, a Netherlands-based food delivery platform, was close to a deal to combine with Grubhub, a Chicago-based mobile ordering and delivery marketplace.

Last month, Uber Technologies Inc. made an offer to buy Grubhub, but that deal was reportedly rejected by Grubhub officials. 

The talks come at a time when third-party delivery platforms, including Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash Inc. and Postmates a are engaged in intensive market sharebattles and for the past few months faced significant regulatory scrutiny as the COVID-19 pandemic forced thousands of restaurants across the country to switch to a delivery and pickup model, as dining areas were closed due to mandated social distancing orders.

Similar issues have roiled the food delivery business in the U.K. and continental Europe, as several countries were hit extremely hard by COVID-19. Regulators last month approved Takeaway.com’s the $7.6 billion acquisition of Just Eat, a U.K. based delivery platform.

Just Eat Takeaway.com said in the statement that a further announcement on the talks would be made when appropriate. The WSJ reported that a deal could be announced as soon as Wednesday. 

Cover image: Grubhub