DoorDash, Inc. filed a Form 425 on October 29, 2026, disclosing an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 28, 2026, under which DoorDash agreed to acquire Maplebear Inc. (Instacart), subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Key Highlights

  • Merger Agreement signed: DoorDash and Instacart entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 28, 2026, with Ibiza Merger Sub, Inc. serving as the DoorDash subsidiary party to the deal.
  • Expected close window: According to the filing, DoorDash expects the transaction to close at the end of 2027 or in the first half of 2028.
  • Instacart's scale: The filing describes Instacart as a grocery technology company partnering with more than 2,200 retail banners, delivering from nearly 100,000 stores across more than 15,000 cities in North America.
  • Regulatory requirements: Closing conditions cited in the filing include expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, as well as required clearances under the Competition Act (Canada) and the Israeli Economic Competition Law-1988.
  • Instacart stockholder vote required: The filing states that obtaining requisite approval of Instacart stockholders is among the conditions to closing.
  • Independent operations continue: The filing states that until the transaction closes, "it is business as usual for both teams, we remain independent companies, and we must operate accordingly."

DoorDash and Instacart: Transaction Structure and Strategic Context

According to the Form 425 filing made by DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, DoorDash entered into a merger agreement on October 28, 2026, to acquire Maplebear Inc., the parent company of Instacart. The merger vehicle is Ibiza Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of DoorDash. The subject company, Maplebear Inc., carries Commission File No. 001-41805.

The filing describes DoorDash as best known for its marketplace, local delivery network, and capabilities such as DashMart Fulfillment Services. Instacart, as characterized in the filing, brings grocery technology, in-store shopping expertise, digital storefronts for grocers, and advertising services for brands across North America. The filing states that the companies "believe that by working together and combining our resources, reach, and technology, we can help local businesses compete with the biggest retailers." The filing also notes that DoorDash has no immediate plans to launch the Instacart brand in EMEA, and that Wolt and Deliveroo remain brands in which DoorDash intends to continue investing.

The internal communication included in the filing addresses employee conduct during the interim period. DoorDash employees are instructed to operate fully independently from Instacart until closing, to refrain from accepting LinkedIn connections from Instacart staff, and to avoid sharing business confidential information. Members of the DoorDash M-team are specifically noted as subject to restrictions on trading in Instacart stock due to legal requirements. The filing contains forward-looking statements and notes they are subject to risks including potential termination of the merger agreement and the possibility that regulatory approvals may impose conditions that could affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction.

What Was Disclosed

DoorDash filed a Form 425 on October 29, 2026, disclosing a signed merger agreement to acquire Instacart. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions and a stockholder vote, with closing expected no earlier than late 2027.