Deliveroo Bought by U.S. Firm DoorDash – What It Means for Sussex

Popular food delivery company Deliveroo, which operates across Sussex and the rest of the UK, has been bought by American delivery giant DoorDash in a deal worth around £2.9 billion.

The move marks a major change for the UK’s food delivery scene and could bring both new opportunities and challenges for local riders, restaurants, and customers.

DoorDash, one of the largest delivery platforms in the United States, will pay Deliveroo shareholders 180 pence per share in cash. The deal is expected to be completed later this year, once it gets the green light from regulators and shareholders.

Deliveroo, founded in London in 2013, has become a familiar sight in towns and cities across Sussex, including Brighton, Worthing, Crawley, Eastbourne, and Hastings.

Local takeaways and restaurants that rely on Deliveroo for online orders may see little immediate change. However, the U.S. firm’s larger scale could mean new technology, more delivery options, or possibly changes in fees and contracts over time.

Some small restaurant owners say they hope DoorDash’s takeover will mean faster payments and better support, while others worry it could lead to higher costs or tighter terms.

Hundreds of riders across Sussex deliver for Deliveroo. Many will be watching closely to see if their pay rates, schedules, or delivery systems change once the companies merge. DoorDash operates a similar gig-style system in the U.S., so major differences may not happen straight away.

For customers, the Deliveroo app will continue to work as normal for now. In time, users could see improvements in app speed, delivery tracking, and food options as DoorDash brings in its own technology and partnerships.

DoorDash said buying Deliveroo gives it a strong foothold in the UK and Europe, while Deliveroo’s leadership called the move a “new chapter” for the company. Together, the two businesses will operate in over 40 countries.

Industry experts say the takeover shows how difficult it has become for smaller delivery companies to survive alone. Rising fuel costs, driver shortages, and heavy competition from Uber Eats and Just Eat have pushed many firms to seek mergers.

For now, it’s business as usual for Deliveroo in Sussex. But in the months ahead, locals could begin to notice small changes — and possibly a new name — as the American firm settles in.