food delivery company Just Eat has announced a restructuring linked to a 1,700-strong distributor network in the UK. The group, originally founded in Denmark and now headquartered in London, is reorganizing its business model to respond to market pressures and remain competitive as rivals move to different employment structures for riders. In Spain, Just Eat has long led the way with a hybrid approach, employing some couriers while contracting others, a model the Telegraph notes is evolving within the UK strategy.
Company insiders say the UK restructuring will not alter operations in Spain, where Just Eat continues to run Scoober-style operations with full-time couriers. The firm emphasizes it will act within the legal frameworks of each market and aligns its plans with the employers of its main competitors, including delivery platforms that have pursued different approaches to rider employment. The company reiterated its commitment to its existing Spanish model, signaling intentions to expand it in additional European cities as opportunities arise.
The broader delivery sector has been adapting through a wave of adjustments in recent months. Operators such as Delivery Hero, the owner of Glovo, have implemented office staff reductions and paused some expansion efforts. Other players have reacted with workforce changes and realignments, including Getir, which has attracted staff from rival platforms and accelerated a broader trend of restructuring within the industry.
Just Eat’s latest move follows a prior financial update and is framed as a step to strengthen profitability and secure a stronger margin. The company has publicly highlighted a push to consolidate its portfolio as it works toward sustainable growth, with the aim of maintaining a steady path to profitability while continuing to serve a global customer base in the tens of millions. A portion of the restructuring is described as cost-saving, with a shift toward a self-employed model and associated social security considerations.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate the UK model changes are designed to fit local regulations and do not imply a global overhaul. In the past, Spain has stood out for its employment commitments with unions and a minimum wage framework for hours worked, signaling a different regulatory environment across markets. The broader context includes investigations by labor authorities into worker classifications, a development that has led to penalties for some platforms in various countries. Still, Just Eat maintains that it will continue to tailor its approach to each market, balancing worker considerations with the company’s strategic objectives [Citation: Telegraph].