Deliveroo: A Brief History
Deliveroo, a British food delivery service, connects customers to various restaurants and establishments. Deliveroo was founded in 2013 by Will Shu and Greg Orlowski and operates through a platform with a fleet of drivers that deliver food orders to customers.
Will Shu, an ex-investment banker, was inspired to create Deliveroo when he realized there were insufficient food delivery options in London. He observed that many restaurants did not offer delivery services and that those that did had limited coverage. Shu saw an opening to fill this gap by offering a convenient solution for food delivery to customers.
Shu joined forces with Greg Orlowski, an on demand app development, to realize his vision. The two began by riding around London, collecting menus from different restaurants and making their deliveries. The hands-on learning experience they gained from this gave them valuable insight into the challenges and potential of the food delivery industry.
Shu and Orlowski developed Deliveroo, a platform that allowed customers to browse menus, place orders, and have them delivered directly to their homes. They also hired a network of delivery drivers, independent contractors who drove their own vehicles, bikes, or scooters.
Here's a brief history of Deliveroo in a small table format:
| Year |
Milestone |
| 2013 |
Deliveroo founded by Will Shu and Greg Orlowski in London, UK |
| 2014 |
First launch of the Deliveroo app |
| 2015 |
Expansion to new cities in the UK and international markets |
| 2016 |
Introduction of Editions, Deliveroo's own delivery-only kitchens |
| 2017 |
Launch of Deliveroo Plus subscription service |
| 2018 |
Series G funding round raises $575 million |
| 2019 |
Expansion to over 500 cities worldwide |
| 2020 |
COVID-19 pandemic accelerates demand for food delivery services |
| 2021 |
Deliveroo goes public with an IPO on the London Stock Exchange |
| 2022 |
Introduction of new features like Table Service and Pickup |
| 2023 |
Continued global expansion and innovation in delivery technology |
Deliveroo gained rapid popularity. It expanded its services into other cities across the United Kingdom, eventually reaching countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company introduced other features such as real-time tracking of orders, a subscription-based service, and partnerships between high-profile restaurants.
Deliveroo, over the years, has faced both opportunities and obstacles, such as regulatory issues, competition by other food delivery platforms, and debates about the employment status of its drivers. It has grown and evolved, providing a convenient service for food delivery to customers and helping restaurants reach a wider audience.