The Supply Chain Interview: Just Eat's Jannie Appelt

Consumer habits are evolving rapidly; whether it’s dinner, cold medicine or a last-minute present, people now expect packages to appear on their doorsteps from the moment they check out. Speed, precision and convenience are no longer unique selling points for logistics firms, but standard expectations embedded in modern commerce. 

At the heart of exceeding these new expectations is Jannie Appelt, Vice President of Global Logistics at Just Eat Takeaway.com. She and her team ensure the takeaway giant’s logistics network keeps pace with how people live, shop and eat in 2025. 

Jannie’s professional journey began in consulting at McKinsey & Company, where she quickly found her passion lay in operations. This took her to Wayfair, where she managed European supplier and freight operations, before joining Just Eat Takeaway.com around five and a half years ago.

After scaling the UK logistics network, she took on a global role two and a half years ago. Now as Vice President of Global Logistics, she leads a diverse international team across six markets. Together, they manage on-demand deliveries for almost 200 million orders a year.

Under Jannie’s guidance, Just Eat’s logistics platform has undergone significant diversification. What was once a business known primarily for food delivery now offers services across grocery, healthcare and retail. With deliveries in 30 minutes, its goal is to offer wide-ranging, fast and convenient services that meet consumer demand.

“We’ve seen incredible growth,” Jannie says. “We’ve moved beyond takeaway to handle last mile delivery, or even the entire customer journey for our partners.”

This shift enables Just Eat Takeaway.com’s partners to focus on their own business priorities while entrusting the complexities of delivery to Just Eat.

Expansion and adaptation

“We started out 25 years ago as a marketplace linking restaurants with customers,” Jannie explains. “But we’ve evolved into a platform that can deliver virtually anything - takeaway meals, groceries, retail products and electronics - often in under 30 minutes.”

Crucial to this transformation is the company’s highly agile, on-demand delivery network, able to respond instantly to sudden spikes in demand whether triggered by weather changes, sporting events or major holidays. This real-time responsiveness is a fundamental strength—and a necessity.

With this shift comes new challenges, as the logistics effort to meet on-demand service poses an entirely new way of operating.

While meal orders logically peak around lunch and dinner, unpredictability is routine. A late-night order for food, or an urgent early-morning need for a phone charger or baby essentials, requires the system to react on the fly.

“The greatest challenge is developing a network that responds efficiently to this spectrum of requirements across all hours. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution, for consumers or partners, and that’s why we have diversified our delivery services,” she says.

Two flagship examples of this diversification are the Shop & Pay model and JET Go.

Shop & Pay enables couriers to shop, pay and deliver on behalf of customers. Already active in Canada through the Skip brand, this technology covers nearly 800 locations and is set for further expansion.

JET Go, meanwhile, has become a core service, covering over a thousand delivery areas in major markets. It allows retailers of all types—from high street brands to small local shops—to offer last-mile delivery through Just Eat’s network, even without listing on the Just Eat Takeaway marketplace. This model is exceptionally flexible, supporting quick onboarding and tailored logistics for all partners.

“Our network now covers more than 75% of the population in our key markets, giving partners a reliable way to reach their customers quickly,” Jannie notes.

JET Go partners range from international names such as Douglas in Bulgaria and Coles Liquor in Australia, to local florists and perfumeries. The common thread is the growing customer appetite for speed and convenience.

Jannie is clear that whatever the delivery model, a strong courier network underpins all success. “We actively listen to our couriers, gathering their feedback to make continuous improvements, and ensure they receive the flexibility and support required to thrive.”

Multi-industry integration

Research conducted with PA Consulting revealed that a striking 75% of consumers who have used on-demand grocery delivery see it becoming a routine part of life. This insight prompted Just Eat to accelerate its shift beyond restaurant food, venturing deeper into essential, everyday delivery.

“As we move into new categories, the supply chain inevitably becomes more intricate,” Jannie explains. “But it also becomes more flexible. We’re building a network that can quickly adjust to serve a wide variety of partners and products.”

In practice, this means developing a delivery infrastructure that’s not only fast and responsive, but capable of handling different partner requirements—from a local florist to a national pharmacy chain.

“For example,” she offers “some high-value items like phones or gaming consoles call for secure delivery processes such as proof of delivery. Other products, such as alcohol, require us to verify the shopper's age for regulatory reasons.”

It also signals a wider transformation within the company itself: from a food delivery app to a full-service logistics platform, meeting the growing appetite for delivery that fits around modern life.

The future of on-demand logistics

Even as the company’s global reach expands, the emphasis is firmly on sustainable, efficient growth rather than a headlong rush. This means building thoughtfully, ensuring that every market has robust leadership, tools and teams in place, rather than simply hiring more people for the sake of it.

“We’re focused on forming the right structures, not just adding more people,” Jannie explains. The company’s logistics division consists of about 250 employees, organised into 10 cross-market teams, all aligned towards long-term, responsible growth.

A continual process of learning from the most developed markets, then applying those lessons to newer ones, is key. From refining delivery models to match local habits, to tailoring strategies for different cities or product categories, agility and experience are central pillars.

“Our mature markets have taught us to remain flexible while upholding rigorous operational discipline,” says Jannie. 

Looking forward, she believes Just Eat will play a driving role in shaping the future of convenience logistics, with technology and automation playing a central part. In Ireland, the company has already pushed the boundaries of what’s possible through its drone delivery pilot with Manna, where deliveries are being fulfilled in as little as three minutes—offering a glimpse of what on-demand could look like in the near future.

Investment in digital innovation is ongoing, reflected in the launch of the AI Assistant in several markets. This tool enables customers to order by text, receive tailored recommendations and access rapid support. Enhanced voice ordering features are next on the roadmap to make the ordering process entirely seamless.

“This is not just about food anymore,” Jannie concludes. “It is about meeting a broader need for everyday convenience. Looking ahead, we will continue to scale these technologies and services to help both large and small partners meet evolving consumer expectations in all our markets.”

The baseline is now speed, agility and trust. Whether delivering groceries, healthcare items or electronics, Just Eat Takeaway.com is positioning itself to meet that demand across markets—whether by scooter, on foot or by air.