BRUSSELS, September 9, 2025 – The European Commission approved DoorDash’s (DASH.O) 3.9 billion acquisition of British rival Deliveroo on Tuesday, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the deal.
The approval removes competition concerns that could have blocked the transaction, which aims to expand DoorDash’s footprint in international markets where it faces stiff competition from established players.
- EU approves DoorDash’s 3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition
- Deal values Deliveroo at 2.9 billion pounds
- Transaction originally announced in May 2025
Market Reaction & Context
DoorDash shares gained following the regulatory approval, as investors welcomed the removal of a key deal obstacle 4. The food delivery sector has seen consolidation as companies seek scale to compete more effectively against dominant players like Uber Eats.
The acquisition values Deliveroo at approximately 2.9 billion pounds (3.93 billion), representing a significant premium for the struggling British company that has faced stock performance challenges since its public debut 2,4.
Deal Structure & Timeline
DoorDash and Deliveroo first announced their agreement in May 2025, with the transaction subject to regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions 2. The European Commission reviewed the deal under its simplified merger procedure, suggesting regulators saw limited competition concerns 7.
The takeover represents DoorDash’s largest acquisition to date and marks a significant expansion of its international presence beyond its core North American markets.
Strategic Rationale
The deal combines DoorDash’s technology platform and operational expertise with Deliveroo’s established presence in the UK and European markets. Deliveroo has struggled with profitability and stock performance since going public, making it an attractive acquisition target.
Food delivery companies have faced increasing pressure to achieve scale and operational efficiency as the post-pandemic delivery boom has moderated and competition intensified across major markets.
Regulatory Landscape
The EU approval follows scrutiny of big tech acquisitions by competition authorities worldwide. The Commission’s clearance suggests it viewed the combination as unlikely to harm competition in European food delivery markets.
DoorDash will now focus on securing any remaining regulatory approvals needed to complete the transaction, though the EU clearance represents the most significant hurdle.
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.
References
1(September 9, 2025). “EU approves takeover of Deliveroo by Doordash”. Yahoo Finance. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
2(September 9, 2025). “EU approves takeover of Deliveroo by Doordash”. Reuters. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
3(September 9, 2025). “DoorDash Wins EU Approval for 3.9 Billion Deliveroo Takeover”. PYMNTS. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
4(September 9, 2025). “DoorDash Stock (DASH) Pops as EU Stamps Billion-Dollar Takeover of Rival Deliveroo”. TipRanks. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
5(September 9, 2025). “DoorDash’s 3.93 billion acquisition of Deliveroo gets EU approval”. Investing.com. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
6(September 9, 2025). “European Union approves DoorDash’s purchase of Deliveroo”. Seeking Alpha. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
7(September 9, 2025). “IN BRIEF: Deliveroo and Doordash receive regulatory approvals for deal”. London Stock Exchange. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
8(September 9, 2025). “Takeover of Deliveroo by Doordash approved by EU”. Business Post. Retrieved September 9, 2025.