- Just Eat, the UK’s original online takeaway delivery service, turns 20 this year
- Major milestone of 2 billion orders reached as platforms surpasses 100,000 options for customers, from takeaway favourites and weekly groceries to health & beauty and electronics
- New research reveals independent takeaways generate £28 billion for the UK, supporting almost 900,000 jobs
- To celebrate its 20th, Just Eat is unveiling a series of iconic orange plaques at its ‘Takeaway OG’ restaurant partners over the coming months - starting in London, Glasgow and Leeds
As Just Eat celebrates its 20th anniversary in the UK and reaches the new milestone of 2 billion orders on the platform, new research shows that Britain’s independent takeaways are not only a staple of Friday nights and family celebrations, but a £28 billion engine of economic activity supporting almost 900,0001 jobs across independent takeaways nationwide2.
The new research by Development Economics, commissioned by Just Eat, finds that independent takeaway businesses generate £28 billion in annual Gross Value Added (GVA) for the UK economy, supporting over 897,000 jobs nationwide.
To celebrate its 20th birthday, Just Eat’s longest-standing ‘Takeaway OGs’ will receive iconic orange plaques celebrating their longevity on the platform and the important role they play within their local communities . The initial partners receiving plaques are Verona Pizza in South West London, Balti Club in Glasgow and Pizza House Company in Leeds.
Claire Pointon, UK and Ireland managing director at Just Eat, said: “Twenty years ago, Just Eat launched in the UK to help local restaurants reach more customers. A lot has changed in that time - food tastes have gotten more diverse, and we now have over 100,000 choices available in the UK - but independent takeaways remain the beating heart of our platform and a force for good on our high streets.
“Looking ahead, expect even more choice on our platform and even more investment in world-beating technology that makes life easier for customers and partners. Whether it’s AI voice ordering or trials of delivery robots, Just Eat is committed to investing in UK high streets and being a business Britain can rely on.”
Beyond economic impact, Brits have a special affinity for independent takeaways, according to a study of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Just Eat. Key findings include:
- Brits love local: Nearly half (46.46%) of us prioritise ordering from independent local takeaways, and one in five (19.51%) of us orders from a local independent at least once a week.
- We’re willing to pay more and wait longer to support local takeaways: More than six in ten people (62.4%) say they would be willing to pay slightly more or wait slightly longer for delivery to order from an independent takeaway, and more than half (54.97%) are willing to pay up to 10 per cent extra to support locals.
- Independents are essential to the high street: Six in ten (61.4%) agree that independent takeaways play an important role in the character of their local high street, and a similar number (64.3%) say high streets would be worse off without independent food businesses. Nearly three quarters (72.54%) would be concerned if independent takeaways disappeared from their area.
- Younger customers are driving momentum: More than half (51.35%) of 25 to 34 year olds say they are ordering from independent takeaways more often than two years ago.
1Number of jobs generated by the independent takeaway sector in each area. Note: the estimated number of jobs includes the owners of takeaway businesses as well as employees employed by those businesses.
2The calculations are based on direct consumer spending on takeaways of £33.25 billion annually, which translates into £15.7 billion of GVA and 733,000 jobs, plus wider supply chain and multiplier effects are included.
The economic impact analysis was conducted by Development Economics on behalf of Just Eat and is based on a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults carried out by Censuswide in February 2026.
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2101 Respondents, including 2,000 UK Adults (nat rep), with 100 respondents in each city: Bristol, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Glasgow . The data was collected between 09.02.2026 - 13.02.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles
Established in 2012, Development Economics Ltd is an independent research consultancy providing economic and demographic research, market analysis and consultancy advice for corporate, public and third sector clients. Services include labour market and skills analysis, demographic and social research, and the production of economic impact assessments, feasibility studies, demand assessments and funding bids.