In a shocking blow to the Australian workforce, up to 10,000 jobs are set to disappear as Menulog, a leading fast-food delivery service, pulls out of the market. This unexpected closure has sent ripples through the gig economy and service industries, leaving thousands of workers uncertain about their futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an unexpected move, Menulog announced it would cease its operations in Australia by the end of November, leaving up to 10,000 workers without jobs. For nearly two decades, Menulog was one of the top players in the food delivery sector, alongside competitors like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The news comes as a major shock to the thousands of Australians who depend on the platform to earn a living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Menulog’s closure will directly affect around 120 full-time employees, but the real scale of the job losses extends far beyond that. The Transport Workers\u2019 Union (TWU) has warned that up to 10,000 workers will be impacted. This figure includes not only Menulog\u2019s full-time staff but also the many independent contractors who rely on the app for income. \u201cAt any one time, there are around 5,000 workers actively using the platform, so this is going to have a huge ripple effect,<\/em>\u201d said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine to Yahoo Finance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These workers will now be forced to find alternative sources of income, and for many, this sudden job loss could be financially devastating. The loss of such a large number of jobs is bound to have a significant impact on the Australian gig economy, which has seen massive growth in recent years but is now facing serious instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Menulog\u2019s parent company, Just Eat Takeaway, explained that the closure is part of a \u201cstrategic decision<\/em>\u201d to focus on markets with higher growth potential. Just Eat plans to direct its resources towards other international markets, where it sees more opportunities for investment and expansion. Menulog\u2019s exit from Australia marks the end of a nearly 20-year presence in the Australian market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Menulog\u2019s exit is framed as a business decision, the timing is curious, given the company\u2019s solid revenue generation. In 2024, Menulog generated $244 million in revenue, and it was the second-largest player in Australia\u2019s food delivery market, holding nearly 24% of the market share. So, what went wrong? According to experts, Menulog\u2019s shift in business model played a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Is Menulog Closing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n