As more restaurants partner with delivery services like DoorDash, even established delivery businesses like pizza chains are seeing the benefits of third-party delivery platforms. Restaurant operators are looking for ways to meet the growing demand for off-premise dining, especially with ongoing staffing challenges. DoorDash Drive, a white-label fulfillment platform, allows restaurants to offer delivery without the investment of building their own in-house delivery service. DoorDash Drive has continually evolved based on feedback from restaurant partners, with new features designed to provide flexible payment options, improve communication, and ultimately help restaurants grow their business.
One of the most significant updates is the introduction of Cash on Delivery. While online ordering is increasingly popular, many customers still prefer the flexibility of paying with cash. Some may not have credit cards or prefer not to use them online. Cash on Delivery allows customers to pay with cash upon delivery for eligible orders fulfilled through DoorDash Drive.
This feature has been particularly successful for pizza restaurants, with almost 20% of pizza orders placed through DoorDash Drive in the United States utilizing the Cash on Delivery option. This allows pizzerias to expand their online reach while still catering to customers who prefer to pay with cash.
“There are countless factors from checkout to delivery that contribute to a seamless at-home pizza experience,” said Ben Smith, Director of Operations Development at Donatos Pizza. “Cash On Delivery through DoorDash Drive is one way we’ve maintained this high-quality service our loyal customers expect, as we can grow our business online, while still enabling customers to pay with cash should they desire.”
Cash on Delivery also benefits delivery drivers (Dashers). Dashers can opt-in to accept cash orders and keep 100% of the cash payment and tips. This provides an immediate income opportunity for Dashers who prefer this payment method. DoorDash has seen high adoption rates among Dashers for cash deliveries, demonstrating the popularity of this feature.
DoorDash is committed to Dasher safety and provides a 24/7 in-app safety toolkit called SafeDash for all deliveries, including those involving cash.
“Dashing has provided me with a flexible way to earn additional income since I began in 2021” said Lisa Dunivan, a North Carolina-based Dasher. “Having the choice to fulfill Cash On Delivery orders when I’d like is icing on the cake, since this new option allows me to immediately access funds.”
In addition to Cash on Delivery, DoorDash is focused on improving the overall quality of the delivery experience. They are working to reduce delivery times, ensure accurate orders, and maintain food temperature during transport. DoorDash provides insulated pizza hot bags to help ensure pizzas arrive hot and fresh. They have also implemented improved communication systems, allowing restaurants to easily track orders, communicate with Dashers, and provide customers with real-time updates. These efforts reflect DoorDash’s ongoing commitment to providing a positive experience for customers, restaurants, and Dashers.
