Grubhub Logo
Grubhub is an online and mobile food ordering and delivery platform, established by Matt Maloney and Mike Evans, in Chicago, Illinois. Designed to connect diners with local restaurants, it facilitates the browsing of menus, placing orders, and arranging either delivery or pickup of food, aiming to simplify the dining experience. Its creation was inspired by the desire to streamline the process of ordering food from local eateries, making it more accessible and efficient for users.
Meaning and history
Grubhub began as a startup in 2004, crafted by two web developers in Chicago, Matt Maloney and Mike Evans. They connected hungry users with local restaurants online. By 2011, Grubhub merged with New York-based Seamless, becoming a major player in online food delivery. In 2013, it went public, trading on the NYSE. Growth continued; it acquired food delivery companies like MenuPages and AllMenus.
The landscape grew competitive with new entrants like UberEats and DoorDash. Grubhub responded by expanding its services and partnering with thousands of eateries. In 2019, it explored a sale amidst this intense competition. By 2020, the European giant Just Eat Takeaway.com announced it would acquire Grubhub for $7.3 billion, reshaping the global food delivery market.
This acquisition marked a significant shift. Grubhub went from an American enterprise to part of a multinational online food delivery conglomerate. Despite changes in ownership, Grubhub retained its brand, continually adapting its technology and service to meet evolving consumer demands in the food delivery space.
What is Grubhub?
Grubhub stands as a digital bridge connecting food enthusiasts with a myriad of local restaurants through a seamless online platform. Born from a simple idea to modernize the food ordering process, it revolutionizes how diners engage with local culinary scenes, ensuring that a diverse array of meals is just a few clicks away.
2004 – 2011
The logo features a striking, animated bell cover encircling the phrase “GrubHub.com”, suggesting a world of meals awaiting release. A stylized orbit encloses the cloche, evoking speed and global reach. Set against a radiant red backdrop, it exudes warmth. The cheeky question “WHO DELIVERS?” written underneath in a playful, casual font adds intrigue, inviting users to explore their delivery options. This emblem captures the essence of swift and diverse food delivery options available at one’s fingertips.
2011 – 2016
The logo presents a bold, sans-serif typography with the brand name “grubHub” in lowercase, save for the capital ‘H’. A vivid scarlet hue dominates, conveying warmth and energy, inviting interaction and promising speedy service. The typographic simplicity ensures readability. Its minimalist design suggests a modern, no-fuss approach to ordering food, mirroring the ease and convenience the service aims to provide.
2016 – 2021
This logo streamlines to stark minimalism. “GRUBHUB” is capitalized, emphasizing a more assertive presence. The vibrant red remains, yet the playful elements and tagline have vanished, symbolizing a maturing brand focused on clarity and efficiency. This design signals a confident step towards a more direct and refined service experience.
2021 – Today
Transitioning from its previous design, the logo now flaunts a vivid orange hue, a departure from the iconic red. The ‘house’ icon ingeniously blends a fork, symbolizing home dining. “GRUBHUB” is simplified, favoring a friendlier, rounder typeface. This refresh embodies home-cooked warmth and the joy of eating in. This design pivot underlines convenience and the comfort of enjoying restaurant meals at home.
