Competition Authority: Wolt abused dominant position in Danish food delivery market
Wolt pressured restaurants with unreasonable terms and hindered competitors' growth, the Competition Authority has established. The case is now being referred to the courts with a view to imposing a fine.
Wolt referred to courts following abuse of market position
Wolt has abused its dominant position in the Danish food delivery market. This is the conclusion of the Competition Authority following an investigation into the company's agreements with restaurants – according to Ekstra Bladet, the company now risks a fine in court.
Between 2022 and 2024, Wolt's market share grew from around 60 to approximately 80 per cent. With that position came, according to the Authority, a particular obligation not to harm competition – an obligation which the Authority believes Wolt disregarded.
Price clause kept competitors out
A central point of contention is a standard term that prohibited restaurants from selling more cheaply through their own channels than on the Wolt platform. This created a strong incentive to keep prices identical across platforms and thereby made it harder for Wolt's competitors to differentiate themselves on price.
"We have assessed that the standard term was capable of keeping new competitors to Wolt away and making it difficult for existing ones to grow," says Christian Schultz, Chairman of the Competition Authority.
Restaurants bore the risk
The Competition Authority furthermore points to two additional matters. Wolt could offer a discount on a restaurant's food without prior notification to the restaurant – whilst the restaurant itself was bound by the price rules. Additionally, Wolt could pay up to 400 kroner in compensation to a dissatisfied customer at the restaurant's expense, even if the problem was due to delivery and not the food. The restaurant had no real influence on the complaint, yet risked still having to cover the bill.
Terms changed, but case continues
Following intervention by the authorities, Wolt has amended its standard terms, and the disputed price clause has not been applied in Denmark since 4 December 2025. This does not, however, alter the further course of the case.
The Competition Authority orders Wolt to cease the unlawful conduct and refrain from introducing similar terms in future. The company must also inform all restaurants on the platform of the decision. The case is subsequently referred to the courts, which are to rule on a possible fine.
Wolt rejects the decision
Wolt disagrees with the Competition Authority's conclusion and wishes the case to be heard in court.
"We fundamentally disagree with the decision of the Competition and Consumer Authority and have decided to bring the case before the courts," says Jakob Bollerup, Acting Country Manager for Wolt in Denmark.
Bollerup emphasises that the decision primarily concerns the period 2022 to 2024, when the market and the company's contract terms according to Wolt looked different than they do today. The company simultaneously highlights that the platform, by its own assessment, has provided both consumers and restaurants with more options and new opportunities for growth.
Source: Ekstra Bladet