Wolt Finland has launched change negotiations, affecting up to 45 roles, with an expected reduction of no more than 30 positions. The discussions focus on international staff based in Finland and explicitly exclude couriers, reflecting a broader effort to streamline its operational structure. Concurrently, Wolt will cease operations in Japan and Uzbekistan following a comprehensive review of its global strategy.
The food delivery platform confirmed that the ongoing talks are part of a wider realignment of its international workforce. Wolt’s goal is to simplify its operating model and clarify decision-making authority across markets. These adjustments come as the company navigates rapid expansion and evolving industry demands.
Wolt employs more than 15,000 people across 30 countries. Approximately 1,500 of these employees are based in Finland, where the current talks are focused on international personnel. Couriers, who number around 10,000 in Finland, remain unaffected.
Marianne Vikkula, Wolt’s chief executive, emphasized the pace of growth in recent years. “In the past two years alone, we have hired more than 5,000 employees to Wolt offices around the world. In growth of this scale, we must also renew our organisational structures along the way. Our sector moves fast, and speed and decision making are central,” she said.
Wolt operates as part of the United States-based DoorDash group, which acquired Deliveroo last year. Following its latest strategic review, Deliveroo plans to withdraw from Singapore and Qatar. For Wolt, exiting Japan and Uzbekistan aligns with the company’s efforts to concentrate on core markets and improve operational efficiency.
The company’s restructuring in Finland occurs against the backdrop of shifting competitive dynamics. Earlier this year, Foodora, Wolt’s only direct rival in the Finnish market, announced it would leave the country by the end of February. This departure temporarily leaves Wolt without a direct domestic competitor. Meanwhile, Uber Eats has indicated plans to expand its footprint in Finland later this year, signaling potential future competition.
Wolt’s move highlights the delicate balance between growth and efficiency in the global food delivery sector. Expanding office operations rapidly can create structural challenges, particularly in decision-making and international coordination. The Finnish negotiations and international exits suggest Wolt is seeking to sharpen its strategic focus while maintaining flexibility for market shifts.
For Finnish employees and industry observers, these changes serve as a reminder of the volatility of the tech-driven delivery sector. Companies must constantly recalibrate to remain competitive, while local markets experience both opportunity and uncertainty.
As Wolt consolidates its operations, the company will likely continue evaluating markets where operational scale and efficiency can be optimized. The Finnish negotiations, Japan and Uzbekistan exits, and Deliveroo’s withdrawals in Asia all point toward a broader trend in the industry: consolidation and strategic focus are becoming essential for survival in a fast-moving, competitive environment.
Streamlining operations in Finland is not merely a cost-cutting measure; it represents a strategic refinement aimed at sustaining long-term competitiveness. By prioritizing international staff roles while maintaining courier operations, Wolt seeks to preserve frontline delivery capabilities while improving management efficiency.
