Introduction
DoorDash, one of the giants in food delivery and local commerce, is evolving rapidly in 2025. From rolling out delivery robots to expanding grocery partnerships and adding restaurant reservations — what started as a simple food delivery app is morphing into a full-scale local commerce platform.
Let’s explore what DoorDash is doing now, how it works, its challenges, and what lies ahead.
What Is DoorDash? A Quick Overview
- What they do: DoorDash is a platform connecting consumers, merchants (restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores), and delivery couriers (“Dashers”). DoorDash+2DoorDash+2
- Founded: 2013 in Palo Alto, California by Tony Xu, Andy Fang, Stanley Tang, and others. Wikipedia+2DoorDash+2
- Business model: Commission fees from merchants, delivery fees, subscription service (DashPass), surge pricing, and additional services. DoorDash+2DoorDash+2
- Scale: In 2024, DoorDash generated about $10.72 billion in revenue (a 24.2% increase from prior year) and processed over 2.5 billion orders. Business of Apps
- It also made its first annual profit in 2024: approx. $117 million net income. Business of Apps
What’s New in 2025: Key Innovations & Moves
1. Autonomous Delivery Robot — “Dot”
DoorDash unveiled Dot, a compact self-driving delivery robot designed to travel on sidewalks, bike lanes, roads, and directly to restaurant entrances. DoorDash+2DoorDash+2 Dot can carry up to ~30 lbs and reach speeds up to 20 mph, aiming to solve the “last-10-feet” delivery challenge. CBS News+3DoorDash+3DoorDash+3
It’s currently in early deployment in Phoenix (Tempe/Mesa area) as part of DoorDash’s autonomous delivery platform. DoorDash+1
2. Expanded Grocery Delivery Partnership with Kroger
Starting October 1, DoorDash will deliver the full assortment from all ~2,700 Kroger stores nationwide, not just limited categories like sushi or flowers. AP News+2ir.kroger.com+2 This is a major expansion, making Kroger one of the largest grocers on DoorDash. AP News+1
3. Introducing “Going Out” — Reservations & In-Store Rewards
DoorDash now offers the “Going Out” feature: users can make restaurant reservations, get in-store rewards, and access exclusive offers, all within the DoorDash app. DoorDash+2DoorDash+2 This move blurs the line between delivery and dining-out experiences. DoorDash+1
4. Platform Strategy & Local Commerce Vision
At its Dash Forward 2025 event, DoorDash emphasized its transition from pure delivery to a local commerce platform, with features such as AI recommendations, new merchant tools, and multi-modal delivery (humans, robots, possibly drones). DoorDash+1
DoorDash is building an Autonomous Delivery Platform to decide in real time whether an order should go via Dasher (human), Dot (robot), or other means. DoorDash+1
Why This Matters: Strategic Drivers
- Efficiency & cost reduction: Robots reduce human labor costs and optimize delivery in dense areas.
- Competitive differentiation: DoorDash wants to shift from price competition to logistics + technology leadership.
- Merchant value: Better tools, inventory systems, and seamless fulfillment attract more partners.
- Customer stickiness: More services (delivery, reservations, groceries) increase user engagement.
Key Challenges & Risks
- Regulation & safety: Robots navigating sidewalks and roads face legal, safety, and public acceptance risks.
- Capital intensity and tech investment: Building autonomous systems, maintenance, and scaling is costly.
- Margin pressures: DoorDash must balance technology investments with profitability amid delivery margin compression.
- Competition: Uber Eats, Instacart, Amazon, and local delivery platforms are all vying for the same space.
What to Watch Next
- Dot’s expansion to new cities beyond Phoenix.
- Adoption rate of “Going Out” and how restaurants accept reservations via DoorDash.
- The impact of the Kroger grocery expansion on market share.
- Synergies from DoorDash’s acquisition of Deliveroo (Europe expansion) and SevenRooms (hospitality tech). DoorDash+3AP News+3The Times of India+3
- Profit margins as new lines scale.
Final Thoughts
DoorDash is no longer just a food delivery app—it’s evolving into a local commerce ecosystem. With innovations like Dot, expanded grocery logistics, and integrated dining experiences, it aims to dominate how people shop, dine, and move in their local neighborhoods.
If you’re watching delivery, tech, or platform-based commerce, DoorDash’s next steps will matter for the entire sector.
