Just Eat confirmed for takeover of Hungryhouse in £200 million deal
TAKEAWAY ordering group Just Eat has been cleared to gobble up Hungryhouse in a £200 million deal.
The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed its earlier provisional findings that the combination does not raise competition concerns.
The CMA argued that the entry of platforms such as Deliveroo, UberEATS and Amazon presents a greater challenge than Hungryhouse.
An independent CMA panel ruled that the deal does not raise concerns because it is "much smaller in size and offers too few unique restaurants, making it increasingly difficult for Hungryhouse to attract and retain consumers".
The CMA said: "The industry is evolving rapidly following the entry of platforms such as Deliveroo, UberEATS and Amazon, which also manage or facilitate delivery services on behalf of restaurants.
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The industry is evolving rapidly following the entry of platforms such as Deliveroo, UberEATS and Amazon, which also manage or facilitate delivery services on behalf of restaurants.
"These companies generally present a greater competitive challenge to Just Eat than Hungryhouse, and this is likely to grow as they expand.
"In reaching its final conclusion, the group also took account of the fact that some customers may order directly from takeaway restaurants, either by telephone, through their websites or by walking in."
Just Eat interim chairman Andrew Griffith said: "The combination with Hungryhouse will enable us to bring benefits to even more independent restaurants, while improving the service and breadth of choice that we offer consumers.
"We are therefore pleased with the CMA's decision and look forward to bringing Hungryhouse into the Just Eat family."
