What a Wonder-Grubhub Deal Would Mean

Wonderful news! Deals are happening. Exhibit A: Marc Lore’s food startup Wonder is close to a deal to buy Grubhub, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday afternoon. That’s an intriguing acquisition for Lore, a veteran e-commerce entrepreneur, as it’s something of a change in direction.

Those with long memories of Wonder will recall that the startup began life as a mobile kitchen and food-delivery startup, using custom-made vans to park in people’s driveways and cook meals based on celebrity chef recipes. That rather ambitious strategy proved too much even for Lore, a master salesperson, who two years ago laid off staff and pivoted to operating restaurants that doubled as kitchens preparing meals for delivery.