---
title: UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker – 2026 year to date
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits
period: 2026 year to date
coverage_start: '2026-01-01'
coverage_end: '2026-09-30'
date_published: '2026-10-04'
last_updated: '2026-10-04'
organisations: 5
articles_analysed: 1502
mentions: 1778
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/data.json
summary: Deliveroo had the highest average monthly share of coverage (30.8%) among
  5 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of
  Uber Eats (30.3%) and Just Eat (28.0%).
---

# UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker: 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026)

> Deliveroo had the highest average monthly share of coverage (30.8%) among 5 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of Uber Eats (30.3%) and Just Eat (28.0%). Deliveroo had the most favourable net tone (+33). Omniscan analysed 1,502 articles containing 1,778 mentions of the companies tracked.

Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd

## UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits ranking by share of coverage, 2026 year to date

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Deliveroo | 30.8% | 559 | 48% | 37% | 15% | +33 |
| 2 | Uber Eats | 30.3% | 544 | 46% | 37% | 17% | +29 |
| 3 | Just Eat | 28.0% | 480 | 39% | 40% | 21% | +17 |
| 4 | HelloFresh | 5.9% | 106 | 42% | 33% | 25% | +18 |
| 5 | Gousto | 5.1% | 89 | 49% | 25% | 26% | +24 |

## Monthly share of coverage, UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits

| Organisation | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Deliveroo | 21.7% | 35.1% | 20.6% | 22.3% | 39.3% | 35.5% | 27.8% | 36.6% | 38.6% |
| Uber Eats | 27.0% | 21.4% | 24.4% | 39.1% | 27.7% | 22.4% | 45.7% | 37.6% | 26.8% |
| Just Eat | 35.5% | 30.5% | 43.3% | 30.7% | 25.1% | 27.1% | 16.7% | 21.1% | 21.4% |
| HelloFresh | 10.5% | 5.2% | 8.9% | 4.5% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 6.4% | 1.5% | 9.6% |
| Gousto | 5.3% | 7.8% | 2.8% | 3.4% | 5.2% | 11.2% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 3.6% |

## Companies in detail

### Deliveroo

**Retail expansion reshaped Deliveroo’s year-to-date media profile**

Deliveroo ranked 1st of 5 by average monthly share of coverage (30.8%) in the UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 559 mentions and a net tone of +33.

Deliveroo averaged 30.8% of tracked-company mentions, ahead of Uber Eats at 30.3%. Deliveroo led pooled share with 31.4%. Its position was volatile early in the period: it rose from third with 21.7% in January to first with 35.1% in February, before returning to third with 20.6% in March. After a 22.3% share in April, Deliveroo ranked first in May and June with 39.3% and 35.5% respectively. It moved to second in July and August, then regained first place in September with 38.6% and its highest monthly volume, at 108 mentions. Early coverage ranged from the “Now Just Got Even Better” campaign and the Southern Co-op grocery partnership to Deliveroo Capital, sustainable packaging and DoorDash’s market review. March and April combined service expansion, including office catering and Tortilla’s return, with scrutiny involving riders, alcohol delivery and branded equipment. The agenda broadened materially in May through restaurant reservations, multi-store Bundles and changes to Deliveroo Plus, alongside reporting of 20% UK gross-order-volume growth. June extended the retail proposition through Asda’s expansion to more than 850 stores and an ASOS football-shirt partnership, while July included an Online Service of the Year award and World Cup-related demand data. August and September brought further expansion beyond restaurant delivery through Lookfantastic, Robert Dyas and Hotel Chocolat, followed by Tesco’s nationwide rollout and Aldi’s Shop & Deliver trial. Across the window, the profile became increasingly anchored in grocery and rapid retail delivery, although rider verification, illegal working and public-safety cases remained a recurrent strand.

Key messages:

- Deliveroo accounted for 31.4% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 5.
- Coverage concentrated on Grocery & Rapid Delivery and Restaurants, Commissions & Partnerships.
- Visibility peaked in May 2026 at 39.3%, compared with 20.6% in March 2026.
- January 2026: Southern Co-op and Deliveroo launched a free-groceries prize draw alongside access to 6,500 product lines — Talking Retail.

Leading themes:

- Grocery & Rapid Delivery: 40.1% of Deliveroo's coverage (theme index 1.68, net tone +55)
- Restaurants, Commissions & Partnerships: 14.3% of Deliveroo's coverage (theme index 0.89, net tone +41)
- Consumer, Pricing & Service: 14.1% of Deliveroo's coverage (theme index 0.96, net tone +25)

Notable positive coverage:

- 16 January 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [Deliveroo does drama as couple feast with bear](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/comment-and-opinion/deliveroo-does-drama-as-couple-feast-with-bear/714063.article). Deliveroo has launched a dramatic 2026 television advert featuring a couple feeding an angry bear with a delivered meal. The campaign promotes the service's speed, range and local-shop offering.
- 28 January 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [My food & drink job: Charlotte Grantham, client partner, Deliveroo](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/profiles/my-food-and-drink-job-charlotte-grantham-client-partner-deliveroo/714583.article). Deliveroo client partner Charlotte Grantham describes managing commercial relationships with major supermarkets on the platform. She discusses the company's customer focus and the challenge of sustainably growing retailer partners.
- 4 February 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [Deliveroo launches more sustainable packaging for UK restaurants](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/deliveroo-launches-more-sustainable-packaging-for-uk-restaurants/714900.article). Deliveroo has launched a more sustainable takeaway box for UK restaurant partners through a partnership with Biopack and Sheffield Hallam University. The design aims to replace plastic-lined containers while maintaining food temperature and preventing spills.

Notable negative coverage:

- 21 September 2026, express.co.uk: [Zia Yusuf slams 'dangerous' Deliveroo and makes threat after woman raped](https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2250363/zia-yusuf-deliveroo-driver-woman-rape). Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf accused Deliveroo of enabling illegal working after a delivery worker was jailed for rape, and threatened stricter corporate liability under a proposed “Deliveroo Law”. Deliveroo said the offender was not a verified rider and that it has strengthened platform-access controls.
- 19 September 2026, metro.co.uk: [Deliveroo driver jailed for 21 years for raping woman he dragged off street](https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/19/deliveroo-driver-jailed-21-years-raping-woman-dragged-off-street-29635469/). A Deliveroo worker was jailed for 21 years after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in London. The case heard that checks on whether he was entitled to work in Britain were incomplete, as he held a tourist visa.
- 19 September 2026, standard.co.uk: [Deliveroo rider jailed after raping unconscious woman he found in street](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/deliveroo-rider-raped-unconscious-woman-b1297597.html). A man using a Deliveroo rider account illegally was jailed for 21 years for raping an unconscious woman in west London. Deliveroo said he was not a verified rider and that it had strengthened platform-access controls.

- [Deliveroo deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd?entity=deliveroo&view=deep-dive)
- [Deliveroo PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/reports/deliveroo.pdf)

### Uber Eats

**Uber Eats led in April, July and August amid partnership expansion**

Uber Eats ranked 2nd of 5 by average monthly share of coverage (30.3%) in the UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 544 mentions and a net tone of +29.

Uber Eats ranked second on pooled share across January to September, with 544 mentions and 30.6% of tracked-company mentions. Its average monthly share was 30.3%, behind Deliveroo at 30.8%. Monthly performance was more variable: Uber Eats ranked third in February and June, but led the tracked companies in April, July and August. Early coverage combined late-night ordering data and the THG same-day delivery partnership with scrutiny of courier working conditions and customer safety. Technology became more prominent in March as Uber Eats and Starship extended robotic deliveries to Sheffield, followed by reports of vandalism and local concerns. April’s rise to first place, at 39.1%, coincided with the Nectar loyalty integration, Wagamama’s new delivery agreement and analysis of Uber Eats’ growing UK restaurant-delivery position. Retail expansion subsequently broadened the account through The Body Shop, East of England Co-op, JD Sports, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, while the first global advertising campaign featured Gordon Ramsay. July was the high point at 45.7% and 107 mentions, alongside Tesco’s rapid-grocery agreement, expanded Nectar rewards, the Wagamama promotion and Uber’s proposed Delivery Hero takeover. Uber Eats remained first in August at 37.6%, when Tesco and Gail’s launched on the platform and the Restaurant of the Year awards gained regional coverage, although the Sheffield robot trial ended after vandalism. In September, volume rose to 75 but share fell to 26.8% as total tracked-company coverage expanded sharply; Tesco’s Doorbell Drops promotion, new restaurant partnerships and the Jinseon Korean BBQ award sat alongside substantial reporting about courier safety, working conditions and criminal incidents.

Key messages:

- Uber Eats accounted for 30.6% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 5.
- Coverage concentrated on Grocery & Rapid Delivery and Restaurants, Commissions & Partnerships.
- Visibility peaked in July 2026 at 45.7%, compared with 21.4% in February 2026.
- January 2026: InternetRetailing reported Lookfantastic’s Uber Eats partnership for same-day beauty delivery in London.

Leading themes:

- Grocery & Rapid Delivery: 32.4% of Uber Eats's coverage (theme index 1.18, net tone +50)
- Restaurants, Commissions & Partnerships: 22.4% of Uber Eats's coverage (theme index 1.81, net tone +74)
- Consumer, Pricing & Service: 14.9% of Uber Eats's coverage (theme index 1.03, net tone −15)

Notable positive coverage:

- 26 February 2026, easterneye.biz: [Uber and Uber Eats launch Ramadan support programme for UK couriers and independent restaurants](https://www.easterneye.biz/uber-ubereats-ramadan-support-uk/). Uber Eats is expanding its UK Ramadan support programme, distributing dates, water and free Iftar meals to fasting couriers. It is also partnering with Popeyes and 35 independent restaurants and hosting Iftar dinners for drivers.
- 10 March 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [Joe & the Juice partners with Uber Eats to scale fast delivery ...](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/joe-and-the-juice-partners-with-uber-eats-to-scale-fast-delivery-across-uk/716240.article). Joe & the Juice has launched a nationwide UK partnership with Uber Eats to offer on-demand delivery of drinks and food. The brand will retain existing partnerships with Just Eat and Deliveroo.
- 25 March 2026, uktech.news: [Uber Eats and Starship expand robotic deliveries to new UK city - UKTN](https://www.uktech.news/foodtech/uber-and-starship-expand-robotic-deliveries-to-new-uk-city-20260325). Uber Eats and Starship Technologies are expanding their robotic food-delivery service from Leeds to Sheffield following an initial UK rollout. The companies say autonomous couriers could improve delivery efficiency and reduce emissions.

Notable negative coverage:

- 26 January 2026, dailymail.co.uk: [I was an Uber Eats driver - this is why my highlight was the first day](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15404481/uber-eats-driver-deliveries-highlight.html). A former Uber Eats cyclist describes low pay, difficulty securing enough orders and operational problems faced by delivery riders in London. The article also examines alleged account renting and identity mismatches among couriers, alongside Uber Eats' stricter selfie checks.
- 24 August 2026, aol.ca: [Trial using robots to deliver for Uber Eats ends after vandals target the machines](https://www.aol.ca/articles/trial-using-robots-deliver-uber-162539000.html). Starship Technologies ended its Sheffield pilot delivering Uber Eats orders after a five-month trial marked by vandalism and local objections. The company said ending the service was a commercial decision at the natural end of the pilot, rather than caused by vandalism.
- 23 September 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Alcohol delivery on apps 'played part' in Jarrow man's death](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw1l67p2n7q2o). The family of a Jarrow man who died from alcohol abuse is seeking restrictions on alcohol purchases through rapid-delivery apps after he frequently used Uber Eats. Uber Eats said it is committed to responsible alcohol delivery.

- [Uber Eats deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd?entity=ubereats&view=deep-dive)
- [Uber Eats PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/reports/ubereats.pdf)

### Just Eat

**Innovation, scrutiny and expansion define Just Eat’s year to date**

Just Eat ranked 3rd of 5 by average monthly share of coverage (28.0%) in the UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 480 mentions and a net tone of +17.

Just Eat recorded 480 mentions from January to September, representing 27% of tracked-company mentions on a pooled basis and an average monthly share of 28%, ranking third by both measures. It opened as the monthly leader with a 35.5% share, alongside reporting on its UK AI voice assistant and 145,000 Christmas Day orders. February’s robot-delivery trials in Bristol, Milton Keynes and Sunderland kept technology prominent, although its share fell to 30.5% and second place. Just Eat returned to first in March with 43.3%, when extensive reporting covered the CMA investigation into whether its ratings system inflated restaurant and grocer scores; the regulator had reached no conclusion. The share then fell to 30.7% in April, as coverage broadened to the Barnsley robot pilot, the Irish Just Eat Awards and ownership-related developments. May and June brought greater emphasis on grocery expansion, courier employment rights and Prosus’s operational turnaround, including the nationwide Superdrug rollout and legal action by more than 7,000 couriers. July marked the lowest share, at 16.7%, despite stories about World Cup ordering patterns, health and beauty delivery and restaurant support. In August, the share recovered to 21.1% as Just Eat expanded its voice assistant across Europe and added Laundryheap services to its UK app. September volume rose to 60 and share to 21.4%, with the UK takeaway awards, Superdrug’s 24-hour service and the early end of the Champions League sponsorship among the principal developments. Across the period, Just Eat’s profile moved between technology-led expansion, regulatory and employment scrutiny, ownership strategy and a widening offer beyond restaurant delivery.

Key messages:

- Just Eat accounted for 27% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 5.
- Coverage concentrated on Grocery & Rapid Delivery and Consumer, Pricing & Service.
- Visibility peaked in March 2026 at 43.3%, compared with 16.7% in July 2026.
- January 2026: The Guardian reported the UK launch of Just Eat’s AI voice assistant for personalised food recommendations.

Leading themes:

- Grocery & Rapid Delivery: 23.5% of Just Eat's coverage (theme index 0.76, net tone +34)
- Consumer, Pricing & Service: 19.8% of Just Eat's coverage (theme index 1.57, net tone −37)
- Technology & Innovation: 15.6% of Just Eat's coverage (theme index 2.54, net tone +55)

Notable positive coverage:

- 8 January 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [Just Eat's Caroline Bates on loyalty, anchovies and S Club 7](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/profiles/just-eats-caroline-bates-on-loyalty-anchovies-and-s-club-7/713533.article). Just Eat UK grocery and new verticals director Caroline Bates discussed building grocery and retail partnerships to provide rapid customer deliveries. She highlighted loyalty, personalised incentives and convenience as important in the competitive grocery market.
- 9 January 2026, independent.co.uk: [Just Eat records 145,000 Christmas Day orders amid festive panic-buying](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/eat-grocery-chinese-press-association-b2897318.html). Just Eat reported 145,000 UK orders on Christmas Day, with grocery panic-buying accounting for 40% of deliveries. The platform said December orders exceeded 17 million, supported by grocery and Chinese takeaway demand.
- 9 January 2026, independent.co.uk: [Just Eat sees more than 100,000 Christmas orders as Chinese takeaway demand spikes](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/just-eat-orders-christmas-day-b2897322.html). Just Eat processed 145,000 orders on Christmas Day, 40% of which were grocery deliveries including last-minute turkey orders. It reported more than 17 million December orders, with Chinese takeaway demand also rising.

Notable negative coverage:

- 18 March 2026, ibtimes.co.uk: [Bristol's Just Eat Delivery Robot Trial Raises Safety Concerns After Near-Miss with Councillor's Dog](https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bristol-just-eat-delivery-robot-safety-concerns-1786359). Just Eat's Bristol delivery-robot trial faces scrutiny after a councillor said a robot nearly struck her dog. Bristol City Council says it was not informed of or asked to approve the pilot, while Just Eat says it conducted planning and risk assessments.
- 4 September 2026, cityam.com: [Just Eat slashes sponsorship team as it axes £40m Champions League deal a year early](https://www.cityam.com/just-eat-slashes-sponsorship-team-as-it-axes-40m-champions-league-deal-a-year-early/). Just Eat ended its £40m-a-year Champions League sponsorship agreement a year early and made most of its sponsorship team redundant as part of cost-cutting. It will remain a Europa League and Conference League sponsor for the season.
- 4 May 2026, theguardian.com: [Thousands of Just Eat couriers launch legal action to improve workers' rights](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/04/just-eat-couriers-launch-legal-action-improve-workers-rights). More than 7,000 Just Eat couriers have launched an employment tribunal claim seeking worker status, minimum-wage rights and holiday pay. The case is framed against UK gig-economy employment reform and the new Fair Work Agency.

- [Just Eat deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd?entity=justeat&view=deep-dive)
- [Just Eat PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/reports/justeat.pdf)

### HelloFresh

**HelloFresh broadened its profile before financial scrutiny dominated September**

HelloFresh ranked 4th of 5 by average monthly share of coverage (5.9%) in the UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 106 mentions and a net tone of +18.

HelloFresh recorded 106 mentions from January to September, representing 6.0% of tracked-company mentions and placing fourth on both pooled and average monthly share. January combined a 10.5% share and fourth place with the Scouts’ Chef Badge sponsorship, a new consumer PR agency and public activations promoting shared meals. Its share fell to 5.2% and fifth place in February, when consumer comparisons examined HelloFresh alongside Gousto and Mindful Chef and coverage also examined its engineering apprenticeships. March brought a recovery to 8.9% and fourth place; stories included fast-meal demand, the Alison Brie Supper Club and reports of weaker revenue and a shift towards ready-to-eat products. The share subsequently narrowed to 4.5% in April and 2.6% in May, while coverage centred on product reviews, nutrition-led Green Chef propositions, the Connacht Rugby partnership and an Ian Wright-inspired recipe. June’s improvement to 3.7% broadened the agenda through the proposed Banbury distribution-centre closure, the suspension of alcohol samples and a recipe-extraction feature. HelloFresh returned to fourth place with 6.4% in July, alongside The Curious Kitchen at the Natural History Museum and scrutiny of its €350 million bond. August’s 1.5% share was the period low, with all three mentions concerning financial results, including falling first-half sales and orders. September then rose to 9.6% and 27 mentions, as financial coverage expanded around a second profit warning and reduced revenue and EBITDA guidance, while separate reporting examined demand for plant-diverse recipes. Across the period, the profile moved from consumer campaigns, partnerships and service reviews towards a substantially more finance-led agenda, although product innovation and family-food initiatives continued to provide distinct strands.

Key messages:

- HelloFresh accounted for 6% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #4-#5 among 5.
- Coverage concentrated on Meal Kits & Subscriptions and Financial Results & Ownership.
- Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 10.5%, compared with 1.5% in August 2026.
- January 2026: HelloFresh became the official sponsor of the Scouts’ Chef Badge, covered by The Grocer.

Leading themes:

- Meal Kits & Subscriptions: 58.5% of HelloFresh's coverage (theme index 21.73, net tone +53)
- Financial Results & Ownership: 30.2% of HelloFresh's coverage (theme index 4.9, net tone −56)
- Leadership & Strategy: 4.7% of HelloFresh's coverage (theme index 1.05, net tone +20)

Notable positive coverage:

- 7 January 2026, marcommnews.com: [HELLOFRESH GROUP APPOINTS READY10 TO HELLOFRESH AND GREEN CHEF BRIEFS](https://marcommnews.com/hellofresh-group-appoints-ready10-to-hellofresh-and-green-chef-briefs/). HelloFresh Group appointed Ready10 as retained UK consumer PR agency for HelloFresh and Green Chef. The agency will support campaigns intended to broaden the brands beyond weekly meal subscriptions.
- 13 January 2026, internetretailing.net: [HelloFresh Scouts partnership brings cooking skills and sustainability to UK families](https://internetretailing.net/hellofresh-scouts-partnership-brings-cooking-skills-and-sustainability-to-uk-families/). HelloFresh UK & Ireland has become official sponsor of the Scouts' Chef Badge through a nationwide partnership. The programme promotes cooking skills, nutrition, food safety and waste reduction among young people.
- 13 January 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [HelloFresh sponsors Scouts' Chef Badge](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/hellofresh-sponsors-scouts-chef-badge/713894.article). HelloFresh UK & Ireland has become the official sponsor of Scouts' Chef Badge and will help develop cooking, nutrition and food-waste resources. The programme is intended to reach hundreds of thousands of young people.

Notable negative coverage:

- 9 June 2026, spectator.com: [HelloFresh’s stomach-churning Pride ad](https://spectator.com/article/hellofresh-stomach-churning-pride-ad/). HelloFresh drew divided reactions to a Pride Month Instagram post promoting high-fibre recipes and a related discount code. The article highlights criticism, subscription-cancellation threats and some supportive audience responses.
- 4 June 2026, bbc.com: [HelloFresh distribution centre in Banbury set to close](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx21rrzdxwgo). HelloFresh has proposed closing its Banbury distribution centre, where about 270 people are employed, subject to consultation. The company plans to consolidate UK operations at its more technologically advanced Derby site.
- 18 March 2026, reuters.com: [HelloFresh reports fourth-quarter core profit below expectations](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/hellofresh-reports-fourth-quarter-core-profit-below-expectations-2026-03-18/). HelloFresh reported fourth-quarter adjusted core profit of €166m, up 1% year on year but below analysts' €167.2m estimate. The company is shifting from meal kits towards ready-to-eat offerings.

- [HelloFresh deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd?entity=hellofresh&view=deep-dive)
- [HelloFresh PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/reports/hellofresh.pdf)

### Gousto

**Gousto’s profile shifts from meal kits to strategic change**

Gousto ranked 5th of 5 by average monthly share of coverage (5.1%) in the UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 89 mentions and a net tone of +24.

Across January to September, Gousto recorded 89 mentions, representing 5.0% of tracked-company mentions across the full window. Its pooled share and 5.1% average monthly share both placed it fifth among the tracked companies. Early coverage combined meal-kit launches with leadership changes, including the Healthy-ish Habits range, the Big Secret campaign and the departures of Sally Matthews and Lucy Donnelly. February brought Gousto’s strongest early competitive position, with share rising to 7.8% and rank improving to fourth as articles covered Valentine’s products, comparative product tests and Timo Boldt’s account of the company’s strategy. Share then fell to 2.8% in March before recovering to 3.4% in April, when recipe-box comparisons examined value, portions, flexibility and waste, including MoneySavingExpert’s finding that Gousto had the lowest discounted per-portion prices. May broadened the agenda through Gousto’s 10% revenue growth, third consecutive profitable year and record adjusted EBITDA of £45m, alongside reporting on an employment tribunal involving a former factory worker. June produced the period’s highest volume and share, at 24 mentions and 11.2%, with extensive reporting on the proposed Clay Lake warehouse closure and 290 roles at risk. The following two months were quieter, although July included Gousto’s appointment of Simply Social and recipe-box endorsements, while August introduced the Heat & Eat ready-meal range. September added technology and succession to the agenda through the What The Food ingredient tool, faster website development in Ireland and Timo Boldt’s planned move from chief executive to board director. Taken together, the profile moved from consumer-facing meal-kit and health stories towards profitability, operational restructuring, ready meals, technology and leadership transition, while Gousto’s overall competitive position remained fifth.

Key messages:

- Gousto accounted for 5% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #4-#5 among 5.
- Coverage concentrated on Meal Kits & Subscriptions and Leadership & Strategy.
- Visibility peaked in June 2026 at 11.2%, compared with 2.8% in March 2026.
- January 2026: Gousto created its Big Secret demonstration burger to highlight fast-food formulation and call for clearer nutritional information — The Grocer.

Leading themes:

- Meal Kits & Subscriptions: 50.6% of Gousto's coverage (theme index 13.77, net tone +60)
- Leadership & Strategy: 28.1% of Gousto's coverage (theme index 8.63, net tone −52)
- Riders, Couriers & Employment Rights: 6.7% of Gousto's coverage (theme index 0.62, net tone −67)

Notable positive coverage:

- 26 January 2026, thegrocer.co.uk: [Gousto creates 'UK's most addictive burger' in UPF-ridden jab at ...](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/gousto-creates-uks-most-addictive-burger-in-upf-ridden-jab-at-fast-food-industry/714405.article). Gousto created an intentionally ultra-processed, high-salt and high-sugar burger meal to highlight techniques used by fast-food brands to encourage cravings. It said the meal would not be sold and called for clearer nutritional information and more accessible scratch cooking.
- 5 February 2026, bbc.com: [BBC Audio | Business Matters | #24 Gousto CEO: The UK's Food System is Broken.](https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/p0mz41j2). Gousto CEO Timo Boldt argues that the UK food system encourages unhealthy, ultra-processed diets and sets out his proposed policy changes. He describes Gousto's value proposition, previous growth, move towards profitability and plans for eventual international expansion.
- 19 March 2026, cityam.com: [Gousto founder: Rise of weight-loss jabs 'a depressing state of affairs'](https://www.cityam.com/gousto-founder-rise-of-weight-loss-jabs-a-depressing-state-of-affairs/). Gousto founder Timo Boldt argues that healthier cooking habits are needed alongside weight-loss drugs and says Gousto has seen growing demand for healthy food. He discusses Gousto's nearly 5m customers, meal-kit production, personalisation technology and potential health-insurance partnerships.

Notable negative coverage:

- 24 June 2026, standard.co.uk: [Gousto plans to close Lincolnshire warehouse with 290 jobs at risk](https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/gousto-warrington-lincolnshire-cheshire-b1287385.html). Gousto plans to close its Clay Lake warehouse in Lincolnshire and bring manufacturing into its Warrington site, with 290 jobs at risk. The business says its Warrington investment and automation can support recipe choice, personalisation and future growth.
- 25 June 2026, bbc.co.uk: [Gousto to close Lincolnshire warehouse, with 290 jobs at risk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gy3lrnyzgo). Gousto plans to close its Clay Lake warehouse near Spalding, putting 290 jobs at risk, and centralise food-box production in Warrington. The company said the change would reduce duplication and costs in a competitive market.
- 25 June 2026, express.co.uk: [Huge UK food warehouse announces closure - 100s of jobs at risk](https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2221585/huge-uk-food-warehouse-closure). Gousto has proposed closing its Clay Lake warehouse in Lincolnshire, putting around 290 jobs at risk, while considering consolidating production at its Warrington site. The company says the move would improve efficiency and help keep customer prices low.

- [Gousto deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd?entity=gousto&view=deep-dive)
- [Gousto PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd/reports/gousto.pdf)

## Methodology

- **Share of coverage**: an organisation's mentions divided by all mentions of the organisations tracked in the same sector that month, in UK earned media. It is the central measure of media visibility in Omniscan benchmarks. "Average monthly share" is the mean of the monthly shares across the reporting period.
- **Mention**: one article that covers an organisation, classified as positive, neutral or negative in tone. Articles are deduplicated, and an organisation's own websites and passing sponsorship name-checks are excluded, so only earned media counts.
- **Net tone**: positive mentions minus negative mentions, as a percentage of all mentions (range −100 to +100).
- **Themes**: every article is assigned to one of the sector's editorial themes. A theme index above 1 means the organisation is covered on that theme more than its peers are; below 1 means less.
- **Calculation**: every figure is computed directly from the classified articles; narrative summaries are checked against those figures.
- **Sources**: UK national and international, trade and specialist, regional and local, and aggregator and syndication earned media.

## Other UK Food Delivery & Meal Kits editions

- [UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker – H1 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-h1.md)
- [UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker – July 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-07.md)
- [UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker – August 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-08.md)
- [UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker – September 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-09.md)
- [All Omniscan media benchmarks](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks.md)

## How to cite

Omniscan, "UK food delivery & meal kits media reputation tracker", 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026), published 4 October 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-food-delivery-meal-kits-2026-ytd