Marc Lore-led food startup closes $103 million Blue Apron deal
A leading meal kit provider has been purchased by a company founded by the former head of e-commerce of Walmart.
Following a definitive merger agreement it entered in early October 2023, Blue Apron has been acquired by food and restaurant startup Wonder Group for $13 in cash per share of Class A common stock, or approximately $103 million. Wonder Group says this purchase is a step on its way to the development of a “meal time super app.”
Beginning Monday, Nov. 13, Blue Apron customers within Wonder delivery zones will have their subscription boxes delivered by Wonder couriers for no additional cost. Service to Blue Apron customers will continue as normal.
In addition, Wonder customers throughout New York and New Jersey now have access to Blue Apron on the Wonder app. The launch menu, with plans to expand in the future, features some of Blue Apron’s top-rated recipes with the same ingredients.
Wonder - a brief history
Initially, Wonder operated a fleet of trucks that delivered made-to-order meals ordered online through the Wonder app directly to the customer’s home. Each truck was equipped with a mobile kitchen, with a chef completing the meal once the vehicle arrived at the customer’s home, and was dedicated to a particular menu, including those from top restaurants headed by celebrity chefs.
In January 2023, however, Wonder abandoned the mobile food trucks and pivoted to a more conventional ghost kitchen model, operating ten kitchens around New Jersey and New York. In addition to delivery, Wonder offers in-location dining and pickup at the locations. Its menu includes offerings from celebrated chefs and restaurants.
Marc Lore, who is credited with transforming Walmart’s e-commerce operations and served as president and CEO of Walmart U.S. e-Commerce from 2016 to January 2021, founded Wonder Group and committed himself full time to the business in December 2021.
“Our mission at Wonder is to make great food more accessible, and the integration of Blue Apron onto our Wonder platform provides a major opportunity to double-down on that promise to our customers,” said Wonder Group founder and CEO Marc Lore. “As we continue to revolutionize the food industry through our creation of fast fine dining, we’re excited to continue expanding on the ways we can offer unique and elevated dining experiences through more choice, flexibility and convenience.”
“Empowering people to create incredible culinary experiences at home is a hallmark of Blue Apron,” said Blue Apron president and CEO Linda Findley. “Now, as part of the Wonder family, we are excited to expand the ways our customers access and experience our top-rated recipes and quality ingredients. Through faster, more convenient delivery options and greater menu choice, customers have even more ways to create incredible home meal moments anytime, anywhere.”