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DoorDash and Instacart announced a definitive acquisition agreement valuing Instacart at about $17 billion, or $65 per share. The consideration will be at least 75% cash, and the companies say the combination would link DoorDash’s delivery network with Instacart’s grocery technology. The announcement does not provide a closing date or full details of regulatory and other approval conditions.
DoorDash has agreed to acquire Instacart in a transaction valuing the grocery delivery company at approximately $17 billion, the companies announced. DoorDash will pay $65 for each Instacart share, with at least 75% of the total consideration in cash; the deal would combine DoorDash’s delivery network with Instacart’s grocery ordering and fulfillment technology.
The agreement sets the value at $65 per Instacart share, which the companies say represents a 26% premium to Instacart’s closing price on October 22, 2026. Instacart shareholders may elect cash, DoorDash stock, or a combination, subject to proration. DoorDash shares cannot exceed 25% of the aggregate consideration. Instacart’s board unanimously approved the agreement, according to the announcement.
DoorDash says the combined business would give retailers access to its delivery network and Instacart’s grocery and fulfillment technology. Those tools could be offered through the companies’ apps and through retailers’ own websites, alongside advertising and artificial intelligence tools developed by the two companies. DoorDash also says Instacart’s brand, enterprise technology products and app are expected to remain in place after closing.
The companies outlined proposed benefits for customers and workers. DoorDash estimates Instacart customers could gain access to more than 50,000 additional stores, beyond the nearly 100,000 already on its platform. It also estimates DashPass and Instacart+ members could save about $100 million per year on membership fees if they pay one fee rather than two. These are company projections, not guaranteed outcomes; the announcement does not detail how the membership arrangement would work.
How the Deal Could Reshape Grocery Delivery
The acquisition would bring together two large businesses that serve different but overlapping parts of local commerce: DoorDash’s delivery reach and Instacart’s grocery-focused services. If completed, that combination could give supermarkets and other retailers a single partner for online ordering, fulfillment support and delivery, while expanding the range of stores available to customers using either app.
The deal also matters to grocers and brands because Instacart provides technology for retailers’ online storefronts and advertising, while DoorDash operates a broad delivery network. The companies argue that shared infrastructure could help local businesses compete with large retailers that invest in their own logistics and digital shopping tools. That is the companies’ case for the transaction; the announcement does not establish how much retailers would save, whether those savings would reach consumers, or how the combined service would perform.
For Dashers and Instacart Shoppers, DoorDash says a larger pool of orders could create more earning opportunities and flexibility. It has also committed to letting Instacart Shoppers retain the features they value and choose whether to accept DoorDash orders or continue taking only Instacart batches. Those commitments concern the company’s plans after closing, not immediate changes to work or app access.
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Two Platforms With Different Strengths
DoorDash describes its core business as connecting customers with restaurants and neighborhood retailers and providing delivery. Instacart, which operates under the corporate name Maplebear Inc., focuses on grocery ordering and technology that retailers can use for online sales. The companies say many customers use Instacart for larger grocery shops and DoorDash for restaurant meals and other local purchases.
Both businesses have built services beyond delivery, including retailer technology and advertising products. DoorDash’s announcement frames the acquisition as a way to extend those services to more stores, including through its DashMart Fulfillment Services. It also says local grocers would remain free to work with other delivery platforms, describing its planned arrangement as an open platform with no grocery exclusivity.
The announcement is an agreement to combine the companies, not a completed acquisition. Until closing, DoorDash and Instacart say they will continue to operate as separate, independent companies. Customers and workers should not treat the proposed combined membership or broader store access as already available.
“Grocery is one of the hardest things to get right online.”
— Tony Xu, DoorDash co-founder and chief executive
Approvals, Timing and Integration Details
The announcement does not specify when the transaction is expected to close or list all approvals and conditions required before completion. It also does not provide a detailed integration plan, explain how the proposed single membership fee would be implemented, or state whether pricing, fees or service terms will change for customers and retailers.
The projected increases in store access and membership savings come from DoorDash and depend on the deal closing and the companies putting their plans into effect. The announcement gives no independent assessment of those estimates. The companies’ commitments on retailer choice and shopper flexibility are described as post-close commitments; further detail on enforcement and day-to-day implementation was not included.
The Deal Moves Toward Closing
DoorDash and Instacart will continue operating separately while the agreement proceeds through the steps needed to complete the acquisition. The companies have not given a closing date in the supplied announcement. Further updates are expected to clarify the approval process, timetable, integration plans and how the proposed membership and retailer services would work after closing.
Until the transaction is completed, the announced store expansion, combined membership and additional earning opportunities remain planned benefits, not changes already in effect. The next concrete milestone will be the companies’ disclosure of the deal’s expected timing and any required conditions for closing.
Key Questions
How much is DoorDash paying for Instacart?
The agreement values Instacart at $65 per share, for an estimated equity value of about $17 billion. The companies say the share price represents a 26% premium to Instacart’s October 22, 2026 closing price.
How will Instacart shareholders be paid?
At least 75% of the total consideration will be cash. Shareholders may elect cash, DoorDash stock or a combination, subject to proration; DoorDash stock is capped at 25% of the aggregate consideration.
Has the acquisition been completed?
No. DoorDash and Instacart have announced a definitive agreement, but the companies say they will remain separate and independent until the transaction closes.
Will customers get one membership for both services?
DoorDash says DashPass and Instacart+ members are expected to pay one membership fee instead of two after closing. The announcement estimates about $100 million in annual membership-fee savings for members, but does not give implementation details or say the change is in effect now.
What happens to Instacart Shoppers and participating grocers?
DoorDash says Instacart Shoppers would retain key features and could choose whether to accept DoorDash orders or continue shopping only on Instacart. DoorDash also says grocers would remain free to work with any delivery platform. These are stated post-close commitments, and the companies have not provided full implementation details.
Source: about.doordash.com
