Just Eat

Just Eat is an international online food-ordering and delivery brand. It began in August 2001 in Kolding, Denmark, where Jesper Buch and four other entrepreneurs established a service intended to help customers order food from local takeaway restaurants. The original business operated primarily as an intermediary: restaurants supplied the food and, in many cases, handled delivery, while Just Eat provided the searchable online marketplace, ordering interface, payment functionality, and customer acquisition. The company moved its main corporate base to the United Kingdom during the mid-2000s and used the UK as a platform for international expansion. The Netherlands became its first major overseas market in 2007, followed by Ireland in 2008 and Canada in 2009. During the following decade, Just Eat expanded through a mixture of local partnerships, minority investments, acquisitions, and market launches. These transactions included businesses such as YummyWeb, GrubCanada, Orderit.ca, SinDelantal, Menulog, Hungryhouse, SkipTheDishes, and Flyt. Its international portfolio also included operations or investments in India, Brazil, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. Just Eat’s business model historically relied heavily on restaurant commissions and customer-facing transaction services. In the United Kingdom, the company also charged restaurants an initial joining fee and generated most of its revenue from commissions on orders. The platform allowed users to search for nearby food outlets, compare menus, place and pay for orders, and select delivery or collection where available. Over time, the brand expanded beyond independent takeaway restaurants through relationships with national chains, supermarkets, convenience stores, and grocery-delivery partners. Brand marketing became an important part of Just Eat’s growth strategy. UK advertising initially used the animated Belly and Brain characters, while the 2012 “Don’t Cook, Just Eat” repositioning presented eccentric fictional takeaway chefs as advocates for ordering restaurant food rather than cooking at home. The brand later used prominent entertainment personalities, including Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry, Latto, and Christina Aguilera, in high-profile advertising campaigns. It also pursued sports, entertainment, transport, and UEFA sponsorships. Just Eat became a public company in 2014. In 2016, it exchanged certain national operations with Takeaway.com, selling its Dutch and Belgian activities while acquiring Takeaway.com’s UK business. In 2019, Just Eat agreed to merge with Takeaway.com in a transaction valued at approximately £9 billion. Shareholders approved the transaction in January 2020, and Just Eat became part of the combined Just Eat Takeaway.com group in February 2020 after regulatory review. The UK Competition and Markets Authority approved the merger without conditions in April 2020. The brand has continued as one of Just Eat Takeaway.com’s principal consumer-facing names, while the group has adjusted its geographic footprint and operating model. It exited or announced exits from several markets, including Portugal, Romania, Norway, and France, and changed the status of some delivery workforces. As a result, the countries in which the Just Eat name operates have changed over time. The brand remains associated with restaurant ordering, last-mile delivery, collection, and increasingly grocery and convenience delivery.

Just Eat originated in Denmark in 2001, when Jesper Buch and four other entrepreneurs founded an online service for ordering food from local takeaway restaurants. The service launched in August and initially employed approximately 15 people. Its early proposition was relatively simple: give consumers a digital directory and ordering channel while allowing restaurants to receive orders through an online platform. In 2005, technology entrepreneur Bo Bendtsen bought out most of the founders and early investors, retaining Jesper Buch as an investor and participant in the company’s subsequent development. The business moved its main corporate activities to the United Kingdom, and Buch moved there in 2006. David Buttress joined the UK operation in 2006 and later became group chief executive. From the UK base, Just Eat expanded into the Netherlands in 2007 and Ireland in 2008, followed by Canada in 2009. The company funded rapid expansion through venture investment. A 2009 Series A round led by Index Ventures and Venrex Capital supplied £10.5 million. In 2011, Greylock Partners and Redpoint Ventures invested £30 million in a Series B round. That financing supported partnerships and investments in Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, France, India, and Canada, as well as acquisitions intended to strengthen local market coverage. A further £40 million Series C round in 2012 helped fund brand development and the acquisition of Spain’s SinDelantal. Just Eat continued to assemble a multinational portfolio through acquisitions and partnerships. It acquired or invested in businesses including Urbanbite, YummyWeb, GrubCanada, fillmybelly.com, SinDelantal, La Nevera Roja, Menulog, Hungryhouse, SkipTheDishes, and Flyt. In India, Just Eat acquired a majority stake in HungryZone, formerly HungryBangalore, but later sold its Indian investment. In Brazil, its RestauranteWeb business was combined with iFood in a joint venture. In Canada, the company’s local operations were folded into the SkipTheDishes brand after that business was acquired. The company became publicly traded in April 2014. It later increased its interest in Alloresto in France and expanded in Mexico through SinDelantal. In 2015 it agreed to acquire Menulog for A$855 million and bought Orderit.ca in Canada. A major portfolio exchange with Takeaway.com followed in 2016: Just Eat sold its Netherlands and Belgium activities to Takeaway.com, while Takeaway.com’s UK operations moved to Just Eat. Just Eat also announced the acquisition of Hungryhouse and SkipTheDishes that year. Brand development became increasingly central to the company. Early UK television advertising used the Belly and Brain mascots. In 2012, the company introduced the “Don’t Cook, Just Eat” positioning, built around fictional chefs who portrayed home cooking as unnecessary or hazardous compared with ordering takeaway food. In 2016, Just Eat refreshed its UK identity and logo. Later campaigns used celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry, Latto, and Christina Aguilera. In 2019, Just Eat and Takeaway.com agreed a merger. Just Eat shareholders approved the transaction in January 2020, and the acquisition completed in February. The UK Competition and Markets Authority temporarily required the companies to keep their operations separate while it investigated the transaction; unconditional approval followed in April 2020. The resulting group became Just Eat Takeaway.com, with Just Eat continuing as a major consumer brand. Under the combined group, Just Eat expanded selected partnerships while rationalizing its geographic presence. It partnered with McDonald’s in the UK in 2020, Asda for grocery delivery in 2021, and Domino’s in 2022. It also entered a convenience-delivery partnership with Nisa in 2023. At the same time, the group announced exits from Portugal, Romania, Norway, and France, and undertook workforce restructuring in France and the United Kingdom. The brand’s current footprint therefore reflects both its historical international expansion and the parent group’s later concentration on selected markets.

1. 2023Nisa convenience partnership

   Just Eat partners with Nisa to provide rapid convenience-item delivery.

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2. 2022Domino’s UK trial

   Just Eat begins a UK trial to add Domino’s stores to its marketplace.

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3. 2021Asda grocery partnership

   Just Eat begins a UK grocery-delivery partnership with Asda.

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4. 2020Merger completes

   Just Eat becomes part of Just Eat Takeaway.com after shareholder approval and UK regulatory review.

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5. 2019Merger agreement with Takeaway.com

   Just Eat and Takeaway.com agree terms for a merger.

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6. 2016Portfolio exchange with Takeaway.com

   Just Eat sells its Netherlands and Belgium operations to Takeaway.com and acquires Takeaway.com’s UK business.

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7. 2016UK rebrand

   Just Eat UK introduces a refreshed visual identity and logo.

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8. 2015Menulog acquisition announced

   Just Eat announces the purchase of Australian food-ordering company Menulog for A$855 million.

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9. 2014London Stock Exchange flotation

   Just Eat becomes publicly traded in London.

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10. 2012The “Don’t Cook, Just Eat” campaign launches

    The company introduces a global brand-positioning campaign centered on ordering rather than cooking at home.

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11. 2011Series B and international expansion

    Just Eat raises £30 million and expands through partnerships and acquisitions in several countries.

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12. 2009Series A investment

    Index Ventures and Venrex Capital invest £10.5 million to support expansion and technology development.

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13. 2008Ireland launch

    Just Eat launches its Irish service.

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14. 2007First major international launch

    Just Eat launches in the Netherlands, beginning its major expansion beyond Denmark.

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15. 2001Just Eat is founded in Denmark

    Jesper Buch and four other entrepreneurs establish the online food-ordering business in Kolding, Denmark.

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A mass-market digital food-ordering marketplace that combines broad local restaurant choice with convenient delivery and collection. The brand emphasizes ease, immediacy, entertainment-led marketing, and access to both independent takeaways and large restaurant chains.

• Just Eat online marketplaceOnline food ordering2001

  The core Just Eat service is a searchable digital marketplace connecting customers with takeaway restaurants and other food businesses. Customers can browse menus, submit orders, pay online, and receive status information. Depending on the market and restaurant, the order may be delivered by the restaurant itself, by Just Eat couriers, or made available for customer collection.

• Just Eat deliveryFood delivery

  Just Eat delivery enables participating restaurants to reach customers through the platform’s logistics network or through restaurant-managed delivery. The offering has developed from an intermediary listing and ordering service into a hybrid marketplace that can support delivery by independent outlets, chains, and platform couriers.

• Just Eat pickupFood collection

  The pickup option lets customers order in advance from participating restaurants and collect the food themselves. It extends the platform beyond last-mile delivery and can reduce delivery costs and waiting time for both customers and restaurants.

• Just Eat grocery and convenience deliveryGrocery delivery2021

  In addition to restaurant meals, Just Eat has supported grocery and convenience ordering through partnerships such as Asda and Nisa in the United Kingdom. These services use the same consumer-facing marketplace to provide household products, snacks, drinks, and other everyday items.

• SkipTheDishesRegional food-delivery brand2016

  SkipTheDishes was acquired by Just Eat in 2016 and became the principal Canadian brand for the group’s local food-delivery operations. It operates as a distinct regional brand rather than as the main Just Eat consumer name.

• 2023Latto and Christina Aguilera campaign

  International

  Rapper Latto and singer Christina Aguilera appeared in a new Just Eat promotional advertisement.

  Outcome. Continued the use of globally recognizable music artists in brand communications.

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• 2022Katy Perry advertising campaign

  United Kingdom

  Katy Perry replaced Snoop Dogg in a prominent Just Eat advertising campaign.

  Outcome. Maintained the brand’s high-profile music and entertainment association.

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• 2020Snoop Dogg advertising campaign

  United Kingdom

  Snoop Dogg appeared in Just Eat advertising as the brand used a major music personality to reinforce its entertainment-led positioning.

  Outcome. Extended the brand’s celebrity-led advertising approach.

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• 2012Don’t Cook, Just Eat

  United Kingdom · International

  The campaign positioned takeaway ordering as an appealing alternative to home cooking and featured fictional chefs including The Mozz, Mr Basmati, Mr T-Bone, Mr Sashimi, and Mr Halloumi.

  Outcome. Became a defining platform for Just Eat’s brand voice and subsequent television advertising.

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• 2009Belly and Brain

  United Kingdom

  Just Eat’s first UK television campaign used the Belly and Brain mascots to dramatize the convenience of ordering food online.

  Outcome. Established recurring characters for the brand’s early UK mass-media advertising.

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• 2023Restructure UK delivery workStrategy

  The group reviewed delivery economics and employment arrangements in the UK.

  What changed. Just Eat Takeaway.com announced approximately 1,700 UK delivery-driver redundancies and a move toward freelance delivery work.

  Aftermath. The decision changed the employment model for affected delivery work and attracted attention concerning labour conditions.

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• 2022Exit selected European marketsStrategy

  Just Eat Takeaway.com announced losses and sought to simplify its geographic footprint.

  What changed. The group announced plans to leave Portugal, Romania, and Norway from April 2022.

  Aftermath. The Just Eat brand became more concentrated in selected European markets.

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• 2022Trial Domino’s delivery through Just EatProduct launch

  Just Eat sought to increase the number of major restaurant chains available on its UK platform.

  What changed. The company launched a trial involving Domino’s-owned and franchise stores in London and planned wider UK participation.

  Aftermath. Domino’s became an additional prominent restaurant partner on the UK platform.

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• 2020Add McDonald’s delivery in the UKProduct launch

  McDonald’s delivery in the United Kingdom had previously been associated exclusively with Uber Eats.

  What changed. Just Eat entered a UK delivery partnership with McDonald’s.

  Aftermath. The partnership broadened Just Eat’s chain-restaurant selection in the UK.

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• 2019Agree merger with Takeaway.comM&A

  The two companies were competing in several European online food-ordering markets and sought to combine their geographic and technology assets.

  What changed. Just Eat and Takeaway.com agreed an all-share merger transaction.

  Aftermath. Shareholders approved the deal in January 2020, and the combined Just Eat Takeaway.com group was formed after UK regulatory review.

  Announced transaction value. Approximately £9 billion (2019)

  • Prosus — Prosus made a competing bid for Just Eat, but Takeaway.com ultimately prevailed.
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• 2016Exchange operations with Takeaway.comM&A

  Both companies sought to concentrate on markets where they had stronger positions.

  What changed. Just Eat sold its Netherlands and Belgium operations to Takeaway.com and acquired Takeaway.com’s UK business.

  Aftermath. The transaction deepened the companies’ strategic relationship before their later merger.

  Transaction value for Just Eat sale of Netherlands and Belgium operations. €22.5 million (2016)

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• 2014Float the company on the London Stock ExchangeOther

  After several rounds of private investment and international expansion, Just Eat pursued public-market financing and visibility.

  What changed. Just Eat completed its London Stock Exchange flotation.

  Aftermath. The company operated as a public company until its acquisition by Takeaway.com.

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• 2012Adopt the “Don’t Cook, Just Eat” positioningStrategy

  Just Eat sought a more distinctive consumer proposition as online takeaway ordering expanded.

  What changed. The company launched a brand platform portraying restaurant takeaway as an attractive alternative to cooking at home.

  Aftermath. The campaign became one of Just Eat’s most recognizable advertising platforms.

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• 2024Advertising Standards Authority HFSS targeting rulingControversy

  The UK Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint that Just Eat had not used appropriate targeting to prevent an advertisement for food high in fat, salt, or sugar from being directed at under-16s.

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• 2018Hygiene-rating concerns in UK listingsControversy

  A BBC investigation reported that some takeaway outlets with the lowest food-hygiene ratings appeared on the Just Eat platform.

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• 2017Unlicensed restaurants found on the platformControversy

  A UK audit reportedly found restaurants listed on Just Eat without the expected licensing or hygiene-rating documentation, raising questions about marketplace verification.

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• 2023Just Eat announces UK delivery-driver restructuring

  Just Eat Takeaway.com announced plans affecting approximately 1,700 UK delivery-driver roles, with affected work moving toward freelance arrangements.

  Other
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• 2022Just Eat Takeaway.com announces market exits

  The group announced plans to leave Portugal, Romania, and Norway as part of a geographic and cost restructuring.

  Other
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• 2022Just Eat expands UK restaurant partnerships with Domino’s

  Just Eat began a UK trial with Domino’s-owned and franchise restaurants, broadening the platform’s chain coverage.

  Product launch
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• 2022Just Eat announces French redundancies

  The company announced 390 redundancies in France amid market and financial pressure following the pandemic period.

  Other
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• 2020Just Eat becomes part of Just Eat Takeaway.com

  Following shareholder approval and regulatory review, Just Eat became a subsidiary of Takeaway.com and part of the combined group.

  M&A
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• 2020Just Eat partners with McDonald’s in the United Kingdom

  The partnership added McDonald’s delivery orders to Just Eat in the UK, ending Uber Eats’ previous exclusive position for the chain there.

  Other
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• 2019Just Eat and Takeaway.com agree to merge

  The two online food-ordering companies announced an agreed merger valued at approximately £9 billion.

  M&A
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• 2014Just Eat begins London Stock Exchange trading

  Just Eat completed its public flotation on the London Stock Exchange.

  Other
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• 2011Just Eat raises Series B funding

  The company raised £30 million to support international partnerships, acquisitions, and market development.

  Other
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• 2007Just Eat launches in the Netherlands

  The company expanded outside Denmark by launching its service in the Netherlands.

  Other
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1. Just Eat