Food delivery company Foodora has announced it will withdraw from the Finnish market, with its service set to close permanently on February 27, 2026.
The decision follows the conclusion of change negotiations involving the company’s local staff. Foodora, which is owned by the German multinational Delivery Hero, stated that the move is part of a strategic realignment to focus on markets where the company holds a stronger competitive position. The exit will leave the Finnish food delivery market largely dominated by the domestic platform Wolt, pending the expected arrival of Uber Eats later this year.
Strategic realignment drives the exit
Foodora has operated in Finland since 2015, but has struggled to gain a market-leading position against its main competitor, Wolt. In a press release issued on Friday, the company explained that it intends to direct investments toward countries where it sees greater potential for long-term growth and brand leadership.
Operations will continue as normal until February 27, after which the platform will shut down. Customers can still place orders and use credits until that date. The company has assured that all outstanding payments to restaurant and retail partners will be settled in accordance with their contracts.
Impact on employees and couriers
The closure will affect approximately 80 employees working in Foodora’s Finnish offices. The company has stated it will support these employees during the transition period, adhering to local regulations and internal policies.
In the gig economy model used by food delivery platforms, couriers are typically classified as independent contractors rather than employees. While the administrative staff faces redundancy, the fleet of couriers will lose access to the platform at the end of the month. Foodora has promised to communicate directly with its courier partners regarding the termination of their contracts and final payments.
A shifting competitive landscape
The departure of Foodora significantly alters the competitive dynamics of the Finnish food delivery sector. For years, the market has been a duopoly between Foodora and Wolt, a Helsinki-based company acquired by the American firm DoorDash in 2022.
Wolt currently holds the majority market share in Finland. With Foodora’s exit, Wolt is poised to become the sole major operator in the short term. However, this monopoly-like situation may be temporary. Uber Eats has previously announced plans to launch its services in Finland during 2026, potentially restoring competition to the sector.
Regional implications for Delivery Hero
While leaving Finland, Delivery Hero maintains a strong presence in other Nordic countries. The company continues to operate Foodora in Sweden (Sverige) and Norway (Norge), where it holds a more substantial market share. The decision to exit Finland appears to be an isolated move to optimize the group’s European portfolio rather than a signal of a broader withdrawal from the Nordic region.
Our focus on working conditions
In a recent analysis, we examined the working conditions and risks of exploitation facing food delivery riders. Our report highlighted that, despite the prevalence of the freelance model in the gig economy, there are specific instances where riders are guaranteed fair treatment and fixed wages. As the market landscape shifts with Foodora’s exit, the debate regarding labor protections and sustainable employment models in the platform economy remains a critical issue for the region.
