Delivery service provider Deliveroo has ceased trading in Australia, entering voluntary administration after about seven years of operation in the country.
The British-headquartered multinational announced the closure to customers and online on Wednesday evening and said the decision was effective immediately, with the app disconnected.
The company said Deliveroo’s “disciplined approach drove the decision to capital allocation”. Having failed to reach a sustainable and profitable scale in Australia without considerable financial investment, it closed the business.
“The expected return on such investment is not commensurate with Deliveroo’s risk/reward thresholds,” the company said.
Deliveroo started its business in Australia in 2015 and was the country’s longest-standing online food delivery platform. During the past few years, the market has experienced fierce competition from global major players, including DoorDash, Menulog and Uber Eats.
During the first half of this year, the Australian unit only accounted for 3 per cent of Deliveroo’s global gross transaction value and negatively impacted the company’s adjusted EBITDA margin by approximately 30 basis points.
“This was a difficult decision and not one we have taken lightly,” said Eric French, COO of Deliveroo. “Our focus is now on making sure our employees, riders and partners are supported throughout this process.”
Michael Korda, Andrew Knight and Craig Shepard of KordaMentha have been appointed as voluntary administrators of Deliveroo Australia.
Deliveroo said it will set out the appropriate compensation packages it intends to provide for its creditors. This includes guaranteed enhanced severance payments for employees as well as compensation for riders and certain restaurant partners.