The UK-based food delivery app we’ve all seen around, is getting bought by DoorDash, the American delivery giant. The deal's worth about £2.9 billion, and Deliveroo’s board has already said yes. Honestly, this could shake things up in the food delivery game in a big way, especially in the UK and Europe.
What’s in the Deal?
Here’s the basic breakdown:
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DoorDash is offering £1.80 per share.
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That puts Deliveroo’s total value at £2.9 billion.
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Around £65.7 million will go to current and former Deliveroo staff.
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And Will Shu, the CEO and co-founder, will pocket about £172 million for his 6.4% share.
It’s a huge deal, not just for investors but also for the people working behind the scenes at Deliveroo.
What Does This Mean for Deliveroo’s Staff?
This part’s actually kind of emotional, because the company started small — Will Shu himself was delivering food in the early days. Now there’s around 4,000 people working there, and they’ll be sharing close to £66 million. That’s a pretty solid reward for being part of the journey.
But not everything’s rosy. DoorDash said they expect job cuts — possibly between 1% to 3% of the combined team. That’s around 830 jobs, mostly in admin or business support. Still, they’ve promised to try and avoid harsh layoffs, mainly by not replacing people who leave and slowing down hiring. Oh, and Deliveroo’s HQ will stay in London, so it’s not a total takeover in that sense.
Why DoorDash Wants This
Why is DoorDash doing this? Well, for starters, Deliveroo already has a strong hold in the UK and some parts of Europe. DoorDash is already massive in the US, so this move gives them access to 40 countries combined — not bad at all.
And both companies seem to be on the same page when it comes to their goals. They both want to improve the experience for customers, delivery riders, and restaurant partners. Basically, it's not just about growing bigger — it’s about working better together.
Deliveroo’s Rocky Road — And Why This Deal Matters
Here’s the thing — Deliveroo hasn’t always had the smoothest ride. When they went public in 2021, it didn’t go great. The stock dropped 26% on the very first day. Some people even started calling it “Flopperoo” — yeah, ouch.
But they bounced back. In 2024, they actually made a £12 million profit after years of losses. So while the company is being sold for less than half of what it was once worth, it’s still standing strong. And this DoorDash deal might give them the boost they need to go further.
Will There Be Major Changes?
Probably a few. But not everything is getting flipped overnight. DoorDash said they’ll keep Deliveroo’s agreements with its riders, including the one with the GMB union. That’s important, especially for rider protections and working conditions.
As for major layoffs, as mentioned earlier, DoorDash is hoping to keep things stable by handling the change slowly and carefully. Still, some cuts are expected, especially in overlapping office roles.
What’s Next for Will Shu and the Team?
Will Shu — the guy who started it all back in 2013 — is walking away with a huge payout. But it’s not just about the money. In his words, this is the beginning of a “transformative new chapter” for Deliveroo.
It’s a big moment for him and co-founder Greg Orlowski, who helped build the company from scratch. No word yet on what they’ll do next, but for now, this deal is a major milestone.
Final Thought
This is one of those moments that could really change how food delivery works in the UK and beyond. Whether it ends up being a great move or not, only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure — this DoorDash–Deliveroo deal is one of the biggest shakeups we’ve seen in the delivery space in a long while.
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