Just Eat saw UK order growth of 19% to 105 million in 2017, with revenue for the segment up 28% to £303.7m.
Through 2017, the number of UK active customers increased by 14% to 10.5 million (31 December 2016: 9.2 million) while the proportion of UK orders from mobile devices grew to 85% (2016: 80%).
The group said its series of pilots with branded restaurant chains had “proven the case for combining our traditional marketplace business, which sees Restaurant Partners managing their own delivery needs, with the addition of selected branded restaurant chains”. The group said the partnerships had driven user frequency and that Just Eat had ended the year “with strong relationships with several much-loved brands, including KFC and Burger King”. It plans to accelerate investment in this area by “extending the pilots into areas with compelling characteristics”.
During the year, international revenue grew 75%, now representing 44% of group takings.
Group-wide orders were up 26% to 172 million, with revenue growing 45% to £546m, up 30% on an organic basis. The group reported a statutory loss before tax of £76m.
Chief executive Peter Plumb said: “2017 was a record year for Just Eat. We helped 21.5 million customers order 172 million takeaways around the world, growing Group revenue by 45% to £546 million. More Restaurant Partners joined our platform, increasing the breadth of choice for our customers and strengthening the Group’s geographical coverage to over 82,000 restaurants.
“As the new CEO, I will be increasing our investment in brand, Developing Markets and delivery services that will be engineered to complement our thriving marketplace business by bringing more choice to our takeaway-loving Customers.”
On the outlook, the group said: “Just Eat is in a strong position both operationally and financially. Our successful marketplace business remains the core driver of growth and is on course to deliver uEBITDA of £215 - 235 million in 2018. We will expand our investments in brand, Developing Markets and delivery services, resulting in Group revenue of between £660 - 700 million and uEBITDA of £165 - 185 million in 2018.”
