Jitse Groen, the visionary founder who transformed a student idea into the global food delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway.com, is stepping down as chief executive after a quarter of a century in charge.
A Quarter-Century Legacy Comes to an End
The announcement comes just months after the completion of a major €4.1 billion (£3.6 billion) takeover of Just Eat by the technology investment group Prosus in October 2025. Groen, who founded the company in 2000 from a small attic in the Netherlands, will officially leave his role on 1 January, pending regulatory approvals.
He will be succeeded by Roberto Gandolfo, the current chairman of Just Eat's supervisory board and the head of Prosus Europe. In a statement, Groen expressed immense pride in the journey, stating: "I am leaving the company today after a quarter-century as founder and chief executive. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey."
The Prosus Era Begins
The takeover by Prosus, which is majority-owned by South African conglomerate Naspers, has significantly reshaped the competitive landscape of the food delivery sector. As part of the deal, Naspers agreed to reduce its stake in Just Eat's rival, Delivery Hero, to address competition concerns.
This strategic move has propelled Prosus to become the world's fourth-largest food delivery group. Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus, paid tribute to Groen's achievement, noting that very few founders build a company of such scale and impact.
"Jitse's contribution will remain a defining part of Just Eat Takeaway's history and future," Bloisi said. "As Just Eat Takeaway enters this next phase under Prosus ownership, our focus is on execution and delivery for our customers and partners. We will move fast to transform the company through a focus on product, customer and innovation."
From Attic Startup to Global Giant
Groen's journey with the company began when he launched Takeaway.com. The business expanded through significant mergers, first with Lieferando in 2014 and then with the UK's Just Eat in 2020, creating a powerhouse that now serves 60 million consumers and works with 362,000 partner restaurants across 16 countries.
The platform handled a staggering 653 million orders globally last year. Incoming CEO Roberto Gandolfo acknowledged the pivotal moment, saying: "I'm excited to join at this pivotal moment and to work closely with Just Eat Takeaway's leaders to unlock the company's next chapter of growth."
The leadership transition marks the end of an era for one of Europe's most prominent tech success stories and the beginning of a new chapter under the stewardship of its corporate owner, aiming to cement its position as a true European tech champion.
