Instacart: DoorDash in advanced talks to buy grocery app for $17 billion
By Arjun MehtaSenior Business Editor, Peepals Business
Representative image: cocoparisienne / Pixabay
DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy Instacart parent Maplebear for about $17 billion, reports said on October 26, 2026; no deal has been announced yet.
What Happened
DoorDash, the US food delivery company, is in advanced talks to buy Maplebear, the parent company of grocery delivery app Instacart, for about $17 billion, according to reports on Monday, October 26, 2026, citing people familiar with the matter. The reports said a deal could be announced as soon as this week, but that no final decision had been made and the talks could still fall apart. Neither company has confirmed the talks. Maplebear's shares rose 7.9% to close at $60.88 on Monday, while DoorDash's shares fell 6.1% to $168.44.
Key Facts
- Buyer: DoorDash; target: Maplebear, which runs Instacart.
- Reported value: about $17 billion; terms such as price per share and the mix of cash and shares have not been disclosed.
- Maplebear closed at $60.88 on October 26, up 7.9%, giving it a market value of about $14.1 billion.
- DoorDash closed at $168.44, down 6.1%, for a market value of about $73 billion.
- Instacart had earlier explored a sale to Uber, which walked away from talks, according to the reports.
- Reports say any deal is likely to face scrutiny from competition regulators.
- DoorDash is due to report quarterly results on November 4, and Instacart on November 5.
Why It Matters
Instacart began as a start-up in the grocery delivery business and grew into one of the best-known names in the United States, with shoppers who pick groceries from local stores and bring them to customers' doors. DoorDash built its business on restaurant meals but has been pushing into groceries, convenience items and retail. Combining the two would create a giant in American on-demand delivery, covering both restaurant food and weekly grocery shopping.
The share moves tell their own story. Maplebear's shares rose because a buyer offering about $17 billion would be paying more than the company was worth on the market before the reports. DoorDash's shares fell because investors worried about the cost, the risk of regulators blocking the deal, and how hard it is to merge two large companies. Reports note that an earlier set of talks between the companies years ago collapsed over regulatory concerns, which is why antitrust review, meaning checks on whether a merger would hurt competition, is the biggest question.
For the wider start-up world, the deal would be a sign that the delivery business is consolidating. After years of fast growth and heavy spending, the companies that survived are trying to become bigger and more efficient, rather than compete on discounts. The same debate plays out in India, where quick-commerce and food-delivery companies such as Eternal, which owns Zomato and Blinkit, and Swiggy compete hard for customers and investors watch closely for signs of profitability.
| Company | Close on October 26, 2026 | Move | Market value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maplebear (Instacart) | $60.88 | Up 7.9% | About $14.1 billion |
| DoorDash | $168.44 | Down 6.1% | About $73 billion |
Impact
Short-term: If a deal is announced this week, attention will shift to the price per share, how it is paid for and how long regulatory approval takes. If talks fail, Maplebear's shares could give back their gains.
Long-term: A combined company would have more bargaining power with grocery chains, restaurants and delivery workers in the US. Regulators will weigh whether that leaves customers and shops with too few alternatives. It could also push rivals such as Uber to look for their own deals.
Who is affected: Instacart and DoorDash shareholders and employees, the gig workers who deliver for both apps, grocery chains and restaurants that rely on them, and US shoppers who use either service.
Key Takeaway
DoorDash is reported to be close to a roughly $17 billion takeover of Instacart's parent, a deal that would reshape US delivery but faces regulatory questions and has not yet been confirmed.
Questions and Answers
Is DoorDash buying Instacart?
Not yet confirmed. Reports on October 26, 2026 said DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy Instacart's parent, Maplebear, for about $17 billion, and that a deal could come this week, but the talks could still fall through.
How much is the Instacart deal worth?
About $17 billion, according to the reports. The price per share and how the deal would be paid for have not been disclosed.
How did Instacart shares react?
Maplebear shares rose 7.9% to close at $60.88 on October 26, 2026. DoorDash shares fell 6.1% to $168.44.
Why might regulators look closely at the deal?
Combining two of the largest US delivery apps could reduce competition for customers, restaurants, grocery stores and delivery workers, so competition authorities are expected to review it.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Arjun Mehta, Senior Business EditorCovers Start-ups & Opportunities and more for Peepals Business. All stories by Arjun Mehta
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Arjun Mehta is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
