Menulog Closing Down: What Really Led to Australia’s Food Delivery Shake-Up

After nearly two decades serving millions of Australian customers, Menulog is closing down.

The official announcement from parent company Just Eat Takeaway.com confirms that Menulog will cease operations in Australia from midnight, Wednesday 26 November 2025 (23:59 AEDT). The closure will affect approximately 120 employees, as well as tens of thousands of restaurant partners and couriers who relied on the platform for business and income.

The company cited “challenging circumstances” and a strategic focus on accelerating growth in other markets as the main reasons behind the decision.

So, why is Menulog shutting down after 20 years — and what does it mean for Australia’s food delivery landscape?

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What You Need to Know About Menulog Closing Down

Official closure date: Midnight, Wednesday 26 November 2025
Employees impacted: Approximately 120
Customer transition period: Two weeks to redeem vouchers and credits
Courier compensation: Eligible couriers receive a four-week voluntary payment
Reason for closure: Challenging market conditions and global strategy shift

“Today is a tough day for the Menulog business,” said Morten Belling, Managing Director of Menulog, in the company’s official statement.

The company said its priority now is to support customers, couriers, and partners during the transition before operations cease on 26 November 2025 at 23:59 AEDT.

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A Two-Decade Legacy: From Startup to Industry Staple

Founded in 2006, Menulog was one of the first companies in Australia to offer online food delivery — long before the era of global giants like Uber Eats or DoorDash.

It began as a Sydney-based startup connecting restaurants with customers online and, over time, became a familiar name in households nationwide. In 2015, Menulog merged with the UK-based Just Eat, which later became part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, one of the world’s largest food delivery groups.

At its peak, Menulog connected over 35,000 restaurants and retailers to millions of customers through its app and website, employing 120 staff and supporting tens of thousands of on-demand couriers across Australia.

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Why Is Menulog Closing Down?

1. “Challenging Circumstances” in a Crowded Market

In its statement, Just Eat Takeaway.com cited “challenging circumstances” as the main driver of the decision.

Australia’s food delivery industry has become extremely competitive — Uber Eats and DoorDash dominate market share and customer loyalty through deep discounts, fast delivery, and aggressive advertising.

Menulog, despite its legacy and loyal restaurant base, struggled to match those budgets. Profitability in the Australian market has been elusive for most players, even those with significant scale.

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2. Rising Costs and Tightening Regulations

Menulog was one of the few major delivery companies to advocate for better protections for couriers, even experimenting with employed rider models rather than relying exclusively on contractors.

While progressive, this approach increased costs in a low-margin industry. Coupled with new government discussions around gig-economy reform, compliance and labour costs became a growing challenge.

Balancing fairness and financial sustainability proved increasingly difficult as competition intensified and consumer expectations for low delivery fees remained high.

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3. Global Strategic Refocus

Just Eat Takeaway.com is realigning its investments toward regions where it can “accelerate growth and deliver the best experience for customers, partners, and couriers.”

According to the company, Australia represents only a small portion of its global footprint. The focus will now shift to Europe and North America, where operational scale and profitability are stronger.

The decision aligns with similar moves by other global tech firms exiting smaller or less profitable markets to streamline operations.

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Who Is Affected by the Closure?

Employees

Approximately 120 Menulog staff will be made redundant. The company has confirmed that all impacted employees will receive redundancy packages above legal requirements and outplacement support.

Couriers

Menulog’s closure affects tens of thousands of on-demand couriers nationwide. According to The Guardian, eligible couriers — those who have worked with Menulog for at least six months and completed a delivery in the last eight weeks — will receive a four-week voluntary payment.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has acknowledged the payment but continues to push for stronger industry-wide protections for gig workers.

Restaurants

Menulog worked with over 35,000 restaurant and retail partners across Australia. These businesses will now need to pivot quickly — either by joining other delivery platforms like Uber Eats or DoorDash or by building direct ordering and delivery systems to maintain customer access.

Customers

Customers have a two-week transition period to use any outstanding vouchers or credits. After 26 November 2025, all accounts will be closed and the Menulog app deactivated.

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The Bigger Picture: What Menulog’s Exit Means for Australia

Menulog’s exit is about more than one company shutting its doors. It’s a signal of the challenges facing Australia’s on-demand economy.

The closure highlights:

• Unsustainable competition in a market dominated by two major global players.
• Rising costs due to labour reforms and delivery-logistics expenses.
• Thin profit margins that make even established brands vulnerable.

With fewer platforms, restaurants may face higher commission fees, and consumers may see reduced promotions as competition declines.

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What’s Next for Food Delivery in Australia

With Menulog’s departure, Uber Eats and DoorDash are now the primary national players. This consolidation could encourage local startups or restaurant collectives to fill the gap — particularly in regional areas underserved by larger platforms.

At the same time, many restaurants are expected to double down on in-house delivery systems or partner with white-label delivery providers to reduce dependence on external apps.

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What Customers and Partners Should Do Now

For Customers

• Use any Menulog vouchers or credits before 26 November 2025.
• Check with your favourite restaurants for new delivery options.
• Save order histories or receipts if needed for records before the shutdown.

For Restaurants

• Communicate updates to customers across social media and menus.
• Migrate listings to other platforms or build your own direct-ordering system.
• Prepare for potential service gaps during the transition period.

For Couriers

• Confirm eligibility for the four-week voluntary payment.
• Explore delivery opportunities on alternate platforms.
• Stay connected with courier networks and union updates for new opportunities.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did Menulog close down in Australia?
A1: According to Just Eat Takeaway.com, Menulog’s parent company, the decision to close operations in Australia was made after “careful consideration” due to challenging circumstances. The company said the move reflects its strategic focus on accelerating growth and investment in other markets to deliver the best experience for customers, partners, and couriers.

Q2: When will Menulog stop taking orders?
A2: Menulog will stop accepting orders from midnight, Wednesday 26 November 2025 (23:59 AEDT).

Q3: What happens to my Menulog vouchers or credits?
A3: Customers have a two-week transition period to redeem unused vouchers and credits before the platform shuts down.

Q4: Who qualifies for the four-week voluntary payment?
A4: Eligible couriers will receive a four-week voluntary payment, as stated in Menulog’s official closure announcement. Specific eligibility criteria have not been published on the company’s website.