End of an Era for Menulog Australia
In a major shake-up to Australia’s food delivery sector, Menulog has announced that it will cease operations across the country later this month, marking the end of an Australian success story that began nearly two decades ago. The food delivery company confirmed that it will stop taking orders at midnight on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and urged customers to use any remaining credits or vouchers before that date.
Around 120 employees will be affected by the closure, with the company offering redundancy packages and career support. Couriers who qualify under company terms will also receive a four-week voluntary payment, according to Menulog’s official statement.
Why Menulog Is Closing Down
Menulog Australia has faced growing challenges in a market dominated by global giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The company said in a statement that the decision “was not taken lightly” but was necessary to “navigate challenging circumstances and focus on accelerating growth in other international markets.”
Industry analysts point to several reasons behind Menulog’s downfall — rising operational costs, shrinking profit margins, and increased competition from multinational rivals that have diversified their services into grocery and retail delivery.
According to IBISWorld analyst Joshua Campbell, even as demand for online food delivery continues to rise, profitability remains an uphill battle:
“Major delivery platforms face intense competition and high marketing costs. Smaller players like Menulog simply couldn’t match the scale or financial power of global competitors.”
Market Share Decline and Industry Pressure
When Menulog launched in Australia nearly 20 years ago, it quickly became a household name, holding around 80% of the food delivery market in 2014. However, by 2025, its market share had dwindled to less than 25%.
Dr. Alex Veen, a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School, described the closure as a reflection of deeper issues within the gig economy:
“Despite growing consumer demand, Menulog has been squeezed out by the capital-heavy models of Uber Eats and DoorDash. This raises serious questions about whether Australia can sustain a competitive food delivery market.”
The loss of Menulog Australia could pave the way for a duopoly, with only a few dominant players controlling pricing, delivery fees, and restaurant commissions — echoing patterns seen in Australia’s supermarket and rideshare industries.
Impact on Restaurants and Workers
The Restaurant & Catering Australia (RCA) president, John Hart, said the Menulog closing will hit small businesses particularly hard:
“This will affect restaurants in areas that aren’t serviced by Uber Eats or DoorDash. Many will now have to either manage delivery themselves or push for expanded service from other platforms.”
Meanwhile, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) expressed concern for thousands of delivery drivers relying on Menulog for income. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine blamed years of regulatory neglect for the instability in the industry:
“Menulog wanted to improve working conditions for riders, but action came too late. The lack of proper gig economy standards has left workers vulnerable.”
A Changing Food Delivery Landscape
Despite Menulog’s total revenue of $244.6 million in 2024, profitability remained elusive. The company, owned by UK-based Just Eat Takeaway, has now decided to refocus resources on more profitable markets in Europe and Asia.
Experts believe that Menulog’s departure could accelerate consolidation in Australia’s food delivery industry. Larger players are expected to strengthen their positions, while smaller competitors may struggle to survive under the weight of high delivery and marketing expenses.
For consumers, the short-term impact could be fewer delivery options and potentially higher prices. For restaurants, especially in regional areas, the loss of Menulog means losing a key delivery partner.
What Customers Should Do Now
Customers are urged to redeem their Menulog credits and vouchers before November 26, after which the platform will stop processing orders. The company has opened a customer support line to handle queries and help users transition.
Menulog’s closure follows the exit of Deliveroo in 2022 and Foodora in 2018, signaling the growing challenges of operating sustainably in Australia’s crowded food delivery space.
The End of an Australian Icon
The closure of Menulog Australia marks a significant moment in the evolution of the country’s food delivery market. Once a pioneer, Menulog’s fall highlights how global competition, economic pressures, and shifting consumer behaviors have transformed the industry.
As Uber Eats and DoorDash dominate the future, the legacy of Menulog remains as a reminder of a time when Australia had a truly homegrown food delivery leader.
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