Deals

Recently merged food delivery firm Just Eat Takeaway is to acquire US rival Grubhub in an all-share deal worth £5.75bn.

The latest acquisition will create the world’s largest food delivery company outside of China if given shareholder and regulatory approval.

The deal, expected to complete at the beginning of next year, could see a combine 70 million active customers and nearly 600 million orders a year.

It follows the £6.2bn Just Eat and Takeaway.com merger which was given the go-ahead by the CMA in April, and ends speculation of a potential deal between GrubHub and Uber.

Matt Maloney, CEO and founder of Grubhub said he had known Jitse Groen, CEO of Just Eat Takeaway, since 2007 and their success stories were similar.

“Combining the companies that started it all will mean that two trailblazing start-ups have become a clear global leader,” he said.

“We share a focus on a hybrid model that places extra value on volume at independent restaurants, driving profitable growth. Supported by Just Eat Takeaway.com, we intend to accelerate our mission to be the fastest, best and most rewarding way to order food from your favourite local restaurants in North America and around the world. We could not be more excited.”

Jitse Groen, CEO and founder of Just Eat Takeaway.com, added: “Matt and I are the two remaining food delivery veterans in the sector, having started our respective businesses at the turn of the century, albeit on two different continents.

“Both of us have a firm belief that only businesses with high-quality and profitable growth will sustain in our sector. I am excited that we can create the world’s largest food delivery business outside China. We look forward to welcoming Matt and his team to our company and working with them in the future.”