Just Eat Takeaway.com Founder Jitse Groen to Depart - Roberto Gandolfo Named CEO

Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET) has announced a monumental leadership transition, marking the end of an era for the food delivery giant. Founder and CEO Jitse Groen will step down from his role, with Roberto Gandolfo appointed to take the helm as CEO effective 1 January 2026, pending approval from the Dutch Central Bank.

The move signals a significant strategic shift as the company enters a new phase under Prosus ownership. Alongside the CEO transition, Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus, will assume the role of chair of the JET supervisory board, replacing Gandolfo, who currently holds the position.

A Track Record of Scale

Roberto Gandolfo brings extensive operational experience to the role, joining from his current position as Head of Prosus Europe. His background is deeply rooted in scaling high-volume marketplaces; previously, he spent over a decade at iFood, serving as CEO of its marketplace business.

During his tenure at iFood, Gandolfo oversaw a period of explosive growth, scaling the platform to 120 million monthly orders and serving over 60 million annual customers through a network of 400,000 merchant partners and couriers. This experience aligns with JET's ambitions to sharpen its focus on product, customer experience, and innovation.

Twenty-Five Years of Growth

Groen’s departure concludes a 25-year journey that began with the founding of Thuisbezorgd.nl—the precursor to Takeaway.com—in 2000. Through a series of strategic acquisitions, culminating in the 2020 merger with Just Eat, Groen built the company into a global powerhouse.

Today, JET operates in 16 countries, serving 60 million consumers and partnering with 362,000 restaurants. In 2024 alone, the platform processed 653 million orders, generating €19 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV).

Executive Commentary on the Transition

Reflecting on his tenure, Jitse Groen said: "After a quarter 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."

Fabricio Bloisi paid tribute to the founder’s legacy while outlining the future direction: "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."

He added: "As JET enters this next phase under Prosus ownership, our focus is on execution and delivery for our customers and partners. We will move fast to transform JET through a focus on product, customer and innovation, creating a true European tech champion that will reshape the future of food delivery."

Incoming CEO Roberto Gandolfo commented on the opportunity: "JET is a phenomenal business with a strong brand, valued partners, and great people across the organisation. 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."