DoorDash agreed on 29 October 2026 to acquire Instacart for US$65.00 a share, valuing the grocery delivery company at about US$17bn in equity.
Why DoorDash, Inc. is buying Maplebear Inc. (Instacart)
The deal combines DoorDash's restaurant courier network and customer base with Instacart's grocery marketplace and retailer relationships. Analysts said it would significantly increase DoorDash's share of US grocery delivery, bringing it closer to Walmart and Amazon. DoorDash has pledged that local grocers will remain free to work with any delivery platform they choose.
Deal terms and financing
Instacart holders can choose cash, DoorDash stock or a mix, but at least 75% of total consideration will be paid in cash. The price is a 26% premium to Instacart's 22 October close, before reports of talks emerged. A regulatory filing shows Instacart would owe a US$650m termination fee and DoorDash US$1.25bn in certain circumstances.
Regulatory approvals and timing
The deal needs Instacart shareholder approval, expiry of the US Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period and approvals including in Canada and Israel. New York City's consumer protection department and the American Economic Liberties Project have raised competition concerns, and the companies do not expect to close before the end of 2027.
Market context
DoorDash and Instacart discussed a combination in 2021, when antitrust concerns were reported to have helped end the talks. Instacart had also held talks with Uber, which were no longer active by the time the DoorDash negotiations were reported on 26 October.
