Sydney start-up Menulog will take its last orders on 26 November. Image: Menulog / Information Age
One of Australia’s oldest and most recognisable online food delivery platforms, Menulog, will close its doors later this month after 19 years in operation.
Parent company Just Eat Takeaway.com said in a statement the company had made the “difficult decision” after “careful consideration,” citing tough market conditions.
“This strategic decision reflects our focus on accelerating growth and investments in other markets and delivering the best experience for customers, partners and couriers.”
The service will stop taking orders from 11:59pm AEDT on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
The shutdown will affect about 120 employees, who will receive redundancy packages “above legal requirements” and outplacement support.
Morten Belling, managing director of Menulog, said the decision was not taken lightly and that the company’s focus now was on ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved.
“Today is a tough day for the Menulog business,” Belling said.
“Our priority now is to support our customers, couriers and partners.”
The company is providing a two-week transition period in which customers can redeem unused vouchers and credits.
Additionally, eligible couriers will be entitled to a four-week voluntary payment.
From start-up success to global acquisition
Founded in Sydney in 2006, Menulog was one of Australia’s first online food ordering platforms, helping local restaurants reach customers long before food delivery apps became mainstream.
The company was acquired by UK-based Just Eat in 2015 for $855 million and later became part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, following a merger with the Dutch firm Takeaway.com in 2020.
Menulog was well known for its colourful and quirky advertising campaigns featuring international stars such as Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg.
But competition in the market has intensified in recent years.
Rivals Uber Eats and DoorDash now dominate the Australian sector, while smaller operators have struggled under growing regulatory and economic pressure.
Menulog’s closure follows the exits of Deliveroo in 2022 and Foodora in 2018, as well as the collapse of local start-up Milkrun in 2023, which was later acquired by Woolworths.
Experts cite cost-of-living pressures and regulatory change
David Bissell is a cultural geographer at the University of Melbourne, studying how culture shapes its environment.
He said Menulog’s closure highlights the pressures facing the industry.
“It’s a really sad day for employees and delivery drivers who have worked for Menulog,” he said.
“This follows the exits of Deliveroo and Foodora and reflects both the cost-of-living pressures on consumers and increasing demands for fair treatment of couriers.”
Bissell noted that while the Fair Work Commission now has powers to set minimum standards for gig workers, the actual rates have yet to be finalised.
“Platforms are being squeezed between consumers ordering less and rising compliance costs,” he said.
“Menulog’s exit shows how tough that balance has become.”
Union urges action on gig economy standards
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has called on remaining food delivery companies to “urgently get behind standards in the gig economy” following Menulog’s shutdown.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said Menulog had supported fair work reforms and urged platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Hungry Panda and Easi to engage with the Fair Work Commission to help implement new standards introduced under the Albanese government’s 2024 reforms, which give gig workers access to minimum pay and protections.
With Menulog’s departure, Uber Eats and DoorDash are expected to further consolidate their dominance of Australia’s food delivery market.
Analysts warn that reduced competition could lead to higher delivery fees and fewer options for consumers.
