DoorDash said on October 29 that it will acquire Instacart for about $17 billion in equity value. The offer values each Instacart share at $65.00, a 26% premium over the October 22 closing price.
The merger would combine two major delivery platforms that thousands of independent couriers and shoppers rely on for income. It could change how many orders those workers see and who sets the rules they work under.
What The Deal Actually Does
Instacart shareholders can pick $65.00 in cash, 0.3372 DoorDash shares, or a mix of $48.75 in cash and 0.0843 shares. At least 75% of the total payout will be cash, and JPMorgan has committed to a bridge loan to help fund it.
The companies expect to close the deal at the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028. Antitrust regulators must clear it first, and reviews in Canada and Israel also apply. Holders of about 19% of Instacart shares have already agreed to vote yes, and the two companies will keep operating separately until closing.
DoorDash says local grocers could work with any delivery platform they choose, with no exclusivity. Instacart customers could shop at more than 50,000 additional stores on top of the nearly 100,000 stores on Instacart today. DoorDash also expects to keep the Instacart brand and app after closing.
Why This Matters For Self-Employed Couriers And Shoppers
DoorDash says Dashers and shoppers would get “more earnings opportunities and more choice over when and how they earn.” It also promises that Instacart shoppers keep their flexibility. They can choose whether to take DoorDash orders or stay on Instacart alone. The announcement says nothing about pay rates, worker classification, or benefits.
Fewer big platforms can also mean less bargaining room. A courier who once switched apps after a pay cut may have fewer places to go. Regulators will likely weigh that question, although the announcement focuses on grocers and shoppers instead.
What Self-Employed Couriers And Shoppers Should Do Next
Start tracking your earnings per hour on each app today. A clear baseline lets you spot changes in order quality or pay once the two networks begin sharing demand. Keep logging mileage and expenses on every platform, because your deductions stay the same.
Avoid building your income around a single app. Keep an active account on at least one other delivery or shopping platform. Read any new agreement before you accept it, since it may change the rules on deactivation, tips, or disputes.
What To Watch Next
Watch for the registration statement and proxy filings, which should give more detail on integration plans. The antitrust review will show how regulators view the combined reach of the two apps. Instacart’s ad business was already facing pressure from AI agents, as our coverage of Meta’s Muse agent showed.
The companies also say DashPass and Instacart+ members pay one fee instead of two. They estimate that saves members $100 million a year. If shoppers and Dashers see no matching gain in earnings, expect labor groups to say so loudly.
