Deliveroo riders to descend on Taiwan in latest expansion

Deliveroo is to launch in Taiwan as speculation mounts that the delivery firm will press the button on a stock market flotation.

The move into the Asian nation’s capital Taipei marks the 500th location Deliveroo has launched across 13 countries.

The company’s founder and chief executive Will Shu’s family are from Taiwan, and Deliveroo will dish up local favourites including beef noodle soup, Taiwanese fried chicken and Gua Bao.

The expansion follows Deliveroo’s latest 500 million US dollars (£383 million) funding round, when it was valued at two billion US dollars (£1.5 billion).

It comes amid mounting speculation that the group is poised to press ahead with an initial public offering (IPO).

Mr Shu has previously said this year that an IPO is not “off the cards”.

A Deliveroo spokesman said: “It is not in our plans right now.”

The firm said the Taiwan move will create “well-paid” work for hundreds of locals.

Mr Shu said: “We’re focused on becoming the definitive food company and our launch in Taipei brings us that one step closer.

“Our launch in Taiwan is also a personal milestone for me, my parents were born in Taiwan and much of my family still lives in Taipei. Taiwan is the market with my favourite food in the world.

“From a personal standpoint, it’s an amazing feeling to launch Deliveroo in Taiwan.”