How Will Just Eat's Leadership Transition Reignite Growth?
The delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway.com has announced that Jitse Groen will step down as CEO of the firm.
Jitse will be succeeded by Roberto Gandolfo, the current Chairman of Just Eat’s supervisory board and the European Head of Dutch technology investor Prosus which acquired the delivery firm earlier in 2025.
The CEO founded Takeaway.com, an online food ordering and delivery company, in 2000, merging with Just Eat in January 2020 to form the new entity Just East Takeaway.com.
Since founding the company in 2000, Jitse has grown the business from a student-led idea to a major global player in the online on-demand delivery space.
Takeaway.com started in a small attic in Enschede, Netherlands, and through 25 years of growth, the company has grown across 16 countries.
Jitse has led across the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, and led the firm through the acquisition of Lieferando in 2014, prior to the merger with Just Eat.
- 60 million consumers
- 362,000 partners
- €19bn (US$25bn) in gross merchandise value in 2024
Jitse said in a statement discussing his tenure: “After a quarter of a century as Founder and CEO of Just Eat Takeaway.com, I am leaving the company today.
“I am immensely proud of what our team has built, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey. Moedig voorwaarts!"
Acquisition of Just East
Jitse’s exit comes after Prosus’ acquisition of Just Eat for €4.1bn (US$4.8bn). Prosus is a global consumer internet group and technology investor with a large portfolio of e-commerce, fintech and food-delivery businesses.
Prosus and Just Eat Takeaway.com announced a conditional agreement for the acquisition on 24 February 2025 and the acquisition was completed on 17 October.
The acquisition centred around the goal of creating a “true European tech champion”, according to Prosus, and to reshape the future of food delivery through accelerating growth by focusing on product, customers and innovation.
By integrating AI solutions, the firm aims to improve efficiency and the customer experience on a European scale as a “bold investment in the future of AI in Europe”.
The next CEO
Discussing his departure, Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus, says: “I would like to express our deep appreciation for Jitse for his leadership and commitment over more than two decades.
“Very few founders can claim to have built a company that reaches this level of scale, impact and relevance. Jitse’s contribution will remain a defining part of JET’s history and future, and we wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
He added that he is pleased to announce Roberto due to his “proven track record in scaling complex operations, driving product- and technology-led transformation and leading high-performing teams”.
Roberto is tasked with using his “fresh ambition” to reignite growth. Like many other delivery companies, Just Eat benefitted from the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, as lockdowns eased the firm struggled to reinvigorate order growth.
His move follows a career in technology and food businesses, including co-founding hellofood Brasil in 2013 to 2016, where he led and developed a technology business from scratch in Brazil, according to his LinkedIn, and holding various leadership positions at iFood for nearly a decade.
“JET is a phenomenal business with a strong brand, valued partners and great people across the organisation,” Roberto says. “I’m excited to join at this pivotal moment and to work closely with JET’s leaders to unlock the company’s next chapter of growth through innovation and best-in-class execution."
