DoorDash is buying Instacart for $17 billion: what changes for you
Quick answer
DoorDash agreed on October 29, 2026 to buy Instacart for $65 a share, an equity value of about $17 billion. Nothing changes yet: the deal isn’t expected to close until the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028, and needs shareholder and antitrust approval. Until then the two run as separate companies, and DoorDash says it plans to keep the Instacart app and brand (DoorDash).
The facts
- Announced: Oct 29, 2026 by DoorDash and Maplebear Inc., Instacart’s corporate name (DoorDash).
- Price: $65.00 per Instacart share, a 26% premium to the Oct 22 close, the last trading day before media reports of a deal (same source).
- Mix: at least 75% cash; DoorDash stock capped at 25% (same source).
- Approvals needed: Instacart shareholders, the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period, plus regulators in Canada and Israel (same source).
- Timing: expected close end of 2027 or first half of 2028 (same source).
What DoorDash says changes after closing
These are company plans, not guarantees, and only apply if the deal closes:
- One membership: DashPass and Instacart+ members would pay one fee instead of two. DoorDash estimates that saves members about $100 million a year combined.
- More stores: Instacart customers could shop at more than 50,000 additional stores, on top of nearly 100,000 on Instacart today.
- Shoppers and Dashers: Instacart Shoppers could choose whether to also take DoorDash orders or stay Instacart-only.
- No grocery exclusivity: DoorDash says local grocers could still work with any delivery platform.
- Apps stay: DoorDash expects to keep Instacart’s brand, app and enterprise tech.
What changes today
- Nothing. Your DashPass and Instacart+ work exactly as before; the companies stay “separate and independent” until closing (DoorDash).
- Watch for: the antitrust review. The deal “unites two delivery giants under one roof,” pairing DoorDash’s restaurant focus with Instacart’s grocery partners (CNBC), so expect a long regulatory look.
Why DoorDash wants it (company’s pitch)
- Instacart brings grocery tech: store websites, fulfillment and ad tools for nearly 100,000 stores across 2,200+ retail banners.
- DoorDash brings a delivery network and its DashMart Fulfillment Services.
- DoorDash CEO Tony Xu: “Grocery is one of the hardest things to get right online” (DoorDash).
FAQ
- Will Instacart go away? DoorDash says it expects to keep the Instacart app and brand after closing.
- Will my membership change? Not before closing. Afterward, DoorDash plans one fee covering both.
- When does it happen? Targeted for end of 2027 or first half of 2028, if approved.
- Will prices go up? No one has said. DoorDash promises “more savings opportunities,” which is a claim, not a price list.
This is not financial or investment advice.