Jitse Groen

Just Eat Takeaway acquired Grubhub in a transaction valued at approximately $7.3 billion. The American expansion proved very costly, and the company ultimately sold Grubhub to Wonder for approximately $650 million in 2024, with completion in 2025.

State of the evidence

Acquisition price, difficulties and sale price documented

Legal status — source text

No criminal matter involved; corporate transaction

Attribution

Direct responsibility as CEO who championed the acquisition

Just Eat had made employing couriers directly a distinguishing feature in France. From 2022, the group substantially scaled back this model in numerous cities, affecting several hundred jobs, before announcing the closure of Scoober in Paris in 2024, affecting approximately 100 additional positions.

State of the evidence

Initial commitment, job cuts and Scoober closure documented

Legal status — source text

Redundancy programmes and restructuring; separate collective litigation without established personal wrongdoing

Attribution

Direct responsibility as CEO who publicly defended the employed courier model and subsequently led the group during its reduction

Permanent caps imposed by New York on platform commissions significantly affected Grubhub. Groen stated that JET was doing everything possible to have them removed, and major platforms challenged the scheme in court, arguing that it reduced profitability and the value of the American business.

State of the evidence

Commission caps, Groen's opposition and platform litigation documented

Legal status — source text

Commercial and regulatory litigation; no personal wrongdoing by Groen

Attribution

Direct responsibility as CEO publicly advocating removal of the caps

Cat Rock Capital accused JET's management of presenting misleading financial forecasts ahead of votes concerning Grubhub, then making substantial revisions which, according to the investor, destroyed confidence and a significant portion of market value. Other shareholders called for a strategic review.

State of the evidence

Activist investor allegations and crisis of confidence documented; deception not judicially established

Legal status — source text

No judicial decision establishing misleading disclosure identified

Attribution

Direct responsibility as CEO and principal executive targeted by the crisis of confidence

In 2021, Groen had described an offer of 2.3 billion euros for JET's stake in iFood as insufficient. In 2022, the group accepted a sale to Prosus for approximately 1.5 billion euros in cash, potentially rising to 1.8 billion subject to certain conditions. Analysts considered the price disappointing.

State of the evidence

Rejected offer and subsequent sale documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility as CEO

Jitse Groen's total remuneration for 2020 reached approximately 1.13 million euros, an increase of approximately 57.9% compared with 2019, in a year when the pandemic substantially boosted delivery orders.

State of the evidence

Remuneration published in annual reports and reported by the press

Attribution

Direct responsibility as beneficiary

Thuisbezorgd increased its standard commission from 12% to 13% in 2018. Restaurant owners criticised the platform's growing influence and commission levels. Jitse Groen refused to reduce the rate, disputed the existence of a dominant position and did not rule out further increases.

State of the evidence

Rate increase and restaurant owners' criticism documented; abuse of dominant position not established

Legal status — source text

No personal conviction identified

Attribution

Direct responsibility as founder and CEO publicly defending the pricing policy