Company Description
DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ: DASH) is a technology company and local commerce platform that connects consumers with local businesses. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, DoorDash uses technology and logistics to link consumers to restaurants, grocery stores, retailers, and other merchants. The company is described in multiple press releases as one of the world's leading local commerce platforms that helps businesses of all kinds grow and innovate, connects consumers to the best of their neighborhoods, and gives people fast, flexible ways to earn.
DoorDash operates an online marketplace where consumers can order items on-demand for delivery or pickup from merchants. According to its public descriptions, DoorDash builds products and services to help businesses innovate, grow, and reach more customers, while giving consumers access to more of their communities. The platform also provides flexible earning opportunities for Dashers, the independent contractors who fulfill deliveries, reflecting DoorDash’s focus on local economies and the broader convenience economy.
Global footprint and local commerce focus
DoorDash has expanded significantly since its founding. Company communications state that DoorDash connects consumers with local businesses in more than 30 countries, and more recent disclosures note that, including Wolt and Deliveroo, DoorDash serves more than 40 countries. DoorDash reports that, on a combined basis across DoorDash, Wolt, and Deliveroo, it serves over 50 million monthly active users and partners with more than 1 million merchants, generating over $100 billion in annualized Marketplace Gross Order Value across these markets.
DoorDash’s strategy emphasizes combining global scale with local expertise. Its stated goal is to shape the future of local commerce and broaden access to opportunity by empowering merchants, consumers, and Dashers. Press materials highlight that DoorDash aims to be "your door to more": a local commerce platform dedicated to enabling merchants to thrive in the convenience economy, giving consumers access to more of their communities, and providing work that empowers.
Business model and marketplace structure
DoorDash’s marketplace connects three main groups: consumers, merchants, and Dashers. Company disclosures explain that DoorDash creates a marketplace for merchants to establish a presence online, market their offerings, and meet demand through delivery. Consumers use DoorDash’s apps and web interfaces to order food items and a growing range of non-restaurant products on-demand for delivery or in-store pickup. Dashers use DoorDash’s logistics platform to receive and complete delivery opportunities, providing what the company describes as fast, flexible ways to earn.
DoorDash’s financial reporting highlights key marketplace metrics such as Total Orders, Marketplace Gross Order Value (Marketplace GOV), revenue, and contribution profit. In its third quarter 2025 financial results, DoorDash reported year-over-year growth in Total Orders, Marketplace GOV, and revenue, and discussed unit economics across categories and geographies. The company emphasizes that its primary financial goal is to maximize long-term free cash flow per share, and that it reinvests in product development, operating efficiency, and new categories to extend growth and improve outcomes for stakeholders.
Core categories: restaurants, grocery, retail, and new verticals
DoorDash’s U.S. restaurant category remains a central part of its marketplace. In its Q3 2025 shareholder communication, the company noted that year-over-year growth in Marketplace GOV in the U.S. restaurant category accelerated and reached the highest growth rate in more than three years, attributing this to execution and reinvestment in the consumer experience. DoorDash describes this approach as foundational to how it operates its restaurant category.
Beyond restaurants, DoorDash has expanded into what it refers to as "new verticals" in the U.S., including grocery and retail categories. Company updates describe strong growth in monthly active users ordering from these new verticals, as well as increases in order frequency and average order values within these categories. DoorDash has also launched DashMart Fulfillment Services, which it describes as infrastructure intended to provide more consistent and higher-quality consumer experiences and to help retailers strengthen the reach of their products and gain visibility with new customers.
Press releases highlight partnerships that illustrate DoorDash’s presence in grocery and retail. For example, DoorDash announced a partnership with Family Dollar to offer on-demand delivery of convenience items, household goods, and more from approximately 7,000 Family Dollar locations. Another partnership with Old Navy brings on-demand delivery of apparel and accessories, including denim and activewear, through DoorDash’s retail delivery offering. These partnerships are positioned as ways for merchants to expand their omnichannel reach and for consumers to access everyday essentials and style on-demand.
Technology, AI, and logistics capabilities
DoorDash describes itself as a technology company that uses technology and logistics to support local commerce. In its financial communications, the company notes that it is developing a new global technology platform for product development and operations, with the aim of increasing the pace of global product development, enhancing developer productivity through AI-native tooling, and improving operational consistency across the countries it serves.
DoorDash has also highlighted specific technology initiatives. It has introduced tools such as a new mapping platform, SmartScale, and an Autonomous Delivery Platform, as well as Dot, a customized autonomous delivery robot. In partnership announcements, DoorDash has discussed multi-modal delivery strategies that integrate Dashers, drones, and autonomous robots to meet rising demand, reduce emissions, and ease traffic congestion. For example, an expanded partnership with Coco Robotics involves autonomous robots fulfilling select orders from DashMart locations in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.
In the area of AI and conversational interfaces, DoorDash announced an app within ChatGPT that enables customers to turn recipes into grocery orders delivered from local stores. The DoorDash app in ChatGPT allows users to get recipe ideas, convert ingredients into a shoppable grocery list, and then check out on DoorDash for delivery from nearby grocery retailers. DoorDash frames this integration as part of its vision to make local shopping easier and to meet customers where they seek inspiration.
International expansion and acquisitions
DoorDash’s international presence has grown through both organic expansion and acquisitions. The company previously acquired Wolt, and in an 8-K filed on October 2, 2025, DoorDash reported that it completed its acquisition of Deliveroo plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales. The transaction was effected by a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement, with eligible Deliveroo shareholders entitled to receive cash consideration per share. DoorDash’s Q3 2025 financial materials state that, including Deliveroo, DoorDash now serves over 50 million monthly active users and operates across more than 40 countries.
In its international marketplaces, DoorDash reports that improvements in operating efficiency have driven unit economics to new highs, while ongoing investment in products and consumer acquisition has supported growth in monthly active users and Marketplace GOV. The company notes that it has outgrown category peers in the majority of countries where third parties report transactional data for third-party food delivery service providers, based on share of category spend.
DashMart and fulfillment infrastructure
DoorDash operates DashMart, which it describes as owned and operated delivery-only sites that offer customers fresh groceries, retail items, household essentials, local favorites, and more. DashMart locations also power DashMart Fulfillment Services, a model that allows retailers to use DoorDash’s infrastructure to extend the reach of their products and gain visibility with potential new customers. Partnerships with companies such as Coco Robotics show how DashMart integrates with autonomous delivery solutions to provide efficient access to groceries and everyday essentials.
Through DashMart and related services, DoorDash aims to support both consumers and merchants. Consumers can access a curated selection of items for on-demand delivery, while merchants can leverage DoorDash’s logistics and technology to reach customers beyond their own channels. DoorDash positions this as part of its broader effort to build the most convenient and reliable local commerce platform.
Community initiatives and partnerships
DoorDash also engages in community-focused initiatives and partnerships. For example, a partnership with CaringBridge highlights DoorDash’s role as a gift card partner in a Giving Tuesday campaign, matching donations up to a specified amount. The release notes that CaringBridge users can send DoorDash gift cards directly to caregivers, providing practical support in the form of delivered meals.
DoorDash communications reference broader efforts such as Project DASH, which aims to empower local food banks and pantries and support food access initiatives. These programs are presented as part of DoorDash’s commitment to helping communities and supporting those in need, aligning with its stated goal of empowering local economies.
Brand, partnerships, and consumer engagement
DoorDash frequently highlights partnerships that extend its brand into sports, entertainment, and retail. An agreement with TKO Group Holdings names DoorDash the official on-demand delivery partner of WWE and UFC, with plans for custom integrations, content, and fan engagement opportunities featuring WWE Superstars and UFC athletes. DoorDash will appear across live events, broadcasts, and digital platforms, using these channels to connect with a global, young, and diverse audience.
DoorDash also runs marketing campaigns that showcase the breadth of its marketplace. For instance, the Holiday Gift Rescue sweepstakes illustrates that consumers can use DoorDash to obtain a wide range of gifts across categories such as tech, beauty, and home, reinforcing that DoorDash offers more than restaurant delivery. Other campaigns, like the annual list of America’s Favorite Delivery Spots by cuisine, highlight the variety of local restaurants on the platform and emphasize how DoorDash connects customers with diverse culinary experiences.
Corporate governance and public company status
DoorDash is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol DASH. SEC filings, including Form 8-Ks, confirm that the company holds annual meetings of stockholders, elects directors, ratifies the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm, and seeks advisory approval of executive compensation. An 8-K dated June 24, 2025, reports stockholder votes on director elections, auditor ratification, executive compensation, and an amendment to the company’s certificate of incorporation.
DoorDash uses SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts to communicate material information about its financial results, products and services, and other matters. The company’s 8-K filings note that it posts supplemental investor materials on its investor relations website and that certain information is furnished rather than filed for purposes of the Exchange Act.
Investment and growth philosophy
In its Q3 2025 financial communication, DoorDash explains its investment philosophy. The company states that its primary financial goal is to maximize long-term free cash flow per share, and that achieving this requires consistent investment in two main areas: improving operating efficiencies in existing businesses and investing in new opportunities where it believes it can solve challenges for stakeholders. DoorDash notes that there is more product development underway than at any point in its history, including expansions of services such as DoorDash for Business, Drive, Online Ordering, DashMart Fulfillment Services, Going Out, In-Store rewards, and creator partnerships.
DoorDash emphasizes that it allocates time and resources based on milestones, and that many of its experiments have shown early signs of product-market fit. The company acknowledges that its multi-year effort to build a new global technology platform entails costs in the near term, but it expects this work to enhance global product development and operational consistency over time.
Frequently asked questions about DoorDash (DASH)
- What does DoorDash, Inc. do?
DoorDash is a technology company and local commerce platform that connects consumers with local businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers. It builds products and services that help businesses innovate, grow, and reach more customers, while giving consumers convenient access to their communities and providing flexible earning opportunities for Dashers. - How does DoorDash describe its mission and focus?
DoorDash describes itself as "your door to more," a local commerce platform dedicated to enabling merchants to thrive in the convenience economy, giving consumers access to more of their communities, and providing work that empowers. It aims to use technology and logistics to shape the future of local commerce and broaden access to opportunity. - Where is DoorDash headquartered and when was it founded?
DoorDash was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, as stated in company press releases and descriptions. - On which exchange does DoorDash trade and what is its ticker symbol?
DoorDash’s Class A common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol DASH, as noted in multiple press releases and SEC filings. - In how many countries does DoorDash operate?
DoorDash states that it connects consumers with local businesses in more than 30 countries and, including Wolt and Deliveroo, serves more than 40 countries worldwide. - What are DoorDash’s main business categories?
DoorDash’s marketplace includes its U.S. restaurant category and "new verticals" such as grocery and retail. It also operates DashMart delivery-only sites that offer fresh groceries, retail items, household essentials, local favorites, and more. - What is DashMart?
DashMart is described as DoorDash’s owned and operated delivery-only sites that provide customers with fresh groceries, retail items, household essentials, local favorites, and more. DashMart locations also support DashMart Fulfillment Services, which help retailers extend their reach and gain visibility with new customers. - How is DoorDash using AI and automation?
DoorDash reports that it is developing a new global technology platform with AI-native tooling and has introduced tools such as a new mapping platform, SmartScale, and an Autonomous Delivery Platform. It has also launched Dot, a customized autonomous delivery robot, and partners with companies like Coco Robotics to power autonomous deliveries. Additionally, DoorDash has created an app within ChatGPT that turns recipes into grocery orders delivered via DoorDash. - What recent acquisition has DoorDash completed?
According to an 8-K filed on October 2, 2025, DoorDash completed its acquisition of Deliveroo plc through a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under U.K. law. DoorDash’s financial communications state that, including Deliveroo, the company now serves over 50 million monthly active users and operates across more than 40 countries. - How does DoorDash communicate financial and operational performance?
DoorDash issues press releases and files reports such as Form 8-K to announce quarterly financial results. It discusses metrics including Total Orders, Marketplace Gross Order Value, revenue, contribution profit, and Adjusted EBITDA, and provides commentary on unit economics, marketplace growth, and investment plans.