Menulog Shuts Down in Australia After 19 Years: What Happened and What It Means for Food Delivery

Menulog’s Last Orders: End of an Australian Food Delivery Era

In late November 2025, a familiar name in Australian food delivery will fade into history. Menulog, which helped transform how Australians order takeaway, will close its doors after 19 years of operation. The announcement, delivered by its European owners Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET), marks the end of a business that not only pioneered online food delivery in Australia but also shaped the habits of millions.

Founded in Sydney in 2006 by Dan Katz, Leon Kamenev, and Kevin Sherman, Menulog started as a simple idea: bring local restaurant menus online and make ordering easier for everyone. Over the next two decades, it grew into a household name. But as is often the case in tech-driven industries, innovation brings competition—and competition brings change.

From Startup to Takeover: The Menulog Journey

Menulog’s trajectory mirrors the story of many startups that become part of global giants. In February 2015, Menulog merged with EatNow, another local delivery service owned by Catch of the Day, aiming to consolidate their position in a quickly expanding market. Just three months later, UK-based Just Eat acquired Menulog for a hefty $855 million—a testament to its value and potential at the time. The story didn’t end there. In 2020, Just Eat itself was acquired by Dutch firm Takeaway.com, creating Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET), a multinational food delivery powerhouse. (Startup Daily)

JET’s strategic decisions would ultimately seal Menulog’s fate. Facing mounting competition from Uber Eats and other platforms, Menulog had to navigate a rapidly shifting landscape. By November 26, 2025, the platform will process its final order, leaving loyal users and restaurant partners to seek alternatives.

Market Forces and the Rise of Uber Eats

The closure of Menulog isn’t simply the story of a company running out of steam. It’s a reflection of how global competition and aggressive expansion can reshape local markets. Uber Eats, backed by Uber’s vast resources, has grown at breakneck speed. In 2024 alone, Uber’s ridesharing and delivery services generated $3.8 billion in revenue, with its food delivery arm considered especially lucrative. The company’s expansion into 67 new regional Australian locations earlier this year sent a clear message: Uber Eats is hungry for dominance. (Startup Daily)

Restaurants, drawn by the promise of new customers and boosted visibility, poured $150 million into advertising on Uber Eats in 2024. As more eateries signed up, Menulog’s once-strong position began to erode. In November 2022, Menulog made job cuts—just weeks after another rival, Deliveroo, exited the Australian market.

Employee Impact and Customer Transition

Behind the numbers and business headlines are real people—around 120 Menulog employees who will be affected by the closure. JET has pledged to offer “generous redundancy packages above legal requirements,” aiming to soften the blow. For customers, the message is clear: redeem any unused vouchers and credits before midnight, November 26. Menulog’s Managing Director, Morten Belling, acknowledged the emotional toll, calling it “a tough day” for the business and its community.

For restaurants and couriers, the transition will mean adjusting to new platforms, possibly facing higher fees or different terms. The ripple effects extend beyond the immediate closure, touching every corner of Australia’s food delivery ecosystem.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Australian Food Delivery?

Menulog’s exit is just the latest chapter in a rapidly evolving industry. Dutch ecommerce investor Prosus, which completed a $7.1 billion takeover of JET in October 2025, has made clear its focus is on accelerating growth in other markets. The decision to shutter Menulog in Australia, after already closing its New Zealand operations in 2024, signals a strategic shift away from regions deemed less profitable.

It’s worth noting that Menulog had previously insisted it was on “solid financial ground” and possessed “the scale to maintain a strong position in the market.” Three years later, Prosus and JET see things differently. The closure raises questions about the sustainability of smaller or local players in a sector dominated by global giants with deep pockets and aggressive strategies.

For consumers, choice may narrow, and prices could fluctuate as competition wanes. For restaurants, the cost of marketing and commission fees may rise. And for the workers who deliver our meals, stability may become harder to find.

Industry Lessons and Looking Ahead

Menulog’s story is a reminder of how quickly digital industries can change. What was once a revolutionary idea in 2006 is now a case study in consolidation and competition. The platform’s rise and fall echo similar tales in other sectors—from ride-sharing to streaming services—where local innovation faces the relentless tide of global expansion.

As the dust settles, Australia’s food delivery landscape will be shaped by fewer, larger players. The challenge for regulators, restaurants, and consumers alike will be to ensure that convenience doesn’t come at the cost of fair competition or quality.

Menulog’s closure marks the end of an era for Australian food delivery, revealing how global pressures and market dynamics can swiftly reshape local innovation. For the industry, it’s a wake-up call to the risks of consolidation—and a prompt to consider how future food delivery platforms can balance growth, choice, and fairness for all stakeholders.