Delivery firm’s merger go-ahead

JUST Eat’s takeover of rival online takeaway ordering firm Hungryhouse looks set to be spared a full-blown investigation.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that despite concerns over how the tie-up could curb competition, it felt that ‘on balance, it is unlikely to result in competition concerns’.

A panel investigating the deal found Hungryhouse was little competition to Just Eat as it is far smaller and offers too few restaurants. The CMA said that rejecting the merger would make it hard for Hungryhouse to attract and retain customers.

Just Eat agreed to pay £200m to Delivery Hero for Hungryhouse and will shell out another £40m, depending on performance.