Deliveroo

Deliveroo is a British online food delivery platform founded in 2013 in London by Will Shu and Greg Orlowski. It operates a marketplace that connects customers with a range of partner restaurants through its app and website. After a customer places an order, the meal is prepared by the restaurant and delivered by a fleet of riders using Deliveroo's logistics technology.

Deliveroo's business model centers on a two-sided platform. The company earns revenue from delivery fees charged to customers and commissions on orders from partner restaurants. In many markets, its riders are classified as independent contractors, though regulatory developments in several countries are reshaping worker status. The service operates in numerous countries across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and it has used Deliveroo Editions, which are delivery-only kitchens, to expand menu coverage and shorten delivery times.

Deliveroo's growth accelerated through the 2010s and was bolstered by the COVID-19 pandemic's surge in on-demand food delivery. The company went public in 2021 on the London Stock Exchange via a direct listing, with Will Shu as chief executive. It faces competition from Uber Eats, Just Eat Takeaway, DoorDash, Glovo, and others, and remains focused on international expansion and technology-enabled logistics.

Deliveroo has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny over the gig economy model, including the classification of riders, pay, and employment rights in various jurisdictions. The company has introduced rider benefits and safety measures, but regulatory and labor questions continue to influence its operations and strategy.