I have to say this is going to be slightly controversial but i want to be 100% honest in my blog so here i go!
Competition is a healthy, good thing and has been a core part of my life, some of my earliest memories are of trying to beat my older brother at everything and the wonderful feeling of sometimes achieving that over a game of subbuteo football around my grandparents in Wales. I think winning is important…definitely, playing tough and hard is important, I also think the way you win is important.
The reason i say that is because right now in the UK www.Just-Eat.co.uk is the clear market leader in the online food ordering channel and we have achieved that through having the best products, best people, best resources, the best spirit and of course a bit of luck along the way. (no doubt on times we have played hard I would be the first to say that) I have a genuine and real respect for most of the guys also building businesses in Just-Eat’s channel of online takeaway ordering because I know how hard it is to do that and indeed count one or two as business friends.
Over the last week it has been amazing (not in a good way) for me to see how at the lower end of the market in terms of scale of operation and also operating standards how some people will stoop. I have received everything from new start ups not even 6 months old writing to me telling me we have copied their marketing ideas when the reverse is true, I am waiting for them to write and tell me they have a new idea about ordering a takeaway through the Internet next! To a very small local player in the north of England writing some very odd personal mails to me. The later mails content i have shared with only my wife (for fun) and lawyer (for perspective). 
In all seriousness i take all of the odd activities of the last 7 days with a big pinch of salt, we have better things to do and so much happening that to spend time on it would be a waste of energy but nevertheless to those of you who think that online takeaway doesn’t have a few unique characters…rest assured it does and you can also rest assured we are focusing on nothing but making the best takeaway website in the UK.
Keep ordering your takeaways through the Internet and remember when you do not to accept anything but the best and that is Just-Eat.co.uk!!!
To fill in the gaps anonymously (for legal reasons), I take it you refer to that Mark from 118 menu?
Always posting anonymously in blogs and review sites, bigging up his own website and slagging others off.
Viva la takeaway revolucion!!
I have to say i don’t think it is fair to single out one person as the dealings i have had with Mark he has been a reasonable guy and let’s be honest it is competitive world, nobody is perfect. I guess we are all entitled to our opinion but be brave and make yourself known!
Oi !! I take offense to “anonymous” comments.
1. I encourage competition
2. “very small local player” does not apply
3. David is not alone with strange emails and phone calls.
Anyway what is this a gossip column? Get back to work!
Hi David, good post.
Just Eat are clearly the big fish in the pond. But this market is still maturing and competition can only help that process.
I don’t think on-line ordering has yet gone main stream. Though I think Just Eat will have a big part to play in that process.
I do like your new TV ads by the way. I think they will be important in legitimising the concept of ordering on-line. From which we will all benefit.
I hope that just eat continue to push the boundaries and that us smaller fish endeavour to keep up. *smile*