DoorDash Reviews for Restaurants
An honest analysis of DoorDash from the restaurant owner's perspective—based on real reviews and experiences.
3.2
Overall Rating (Aggregated)
About DoorDash
DoorDash is the largest food delivery platform in the United States, connecting restaurants with customers through its app and website. For restaurants, DoorDash offers access to millions of potential customers but charges significant commission fees.
2013
San Francisco, CA
Restaurants of all sizes looking to offer delivery without managing their own drivers
Third-party delivery marketplace with tablet-based order management
Review Sources
3.4
G2
89 reviews1.3
Trustpilot
12,500 reviews4.7
Google Play
2,100,000 reviews4.8
App Store
4,800,000 reviewsRating Breakdown
Customer Reach
4.5
DoorDash's massive user base provides excellent exposure for restaurants
+ Access to millions of customers
+ Strong brand recognition
+ Effective marketing
− High competition within the platform
− Algorithm favors sponsored restaurants
Commission & Fees
2.0
High fees are the most common complaint among restaurant partners
+ Transparent fee structure
+ Different commission tiers available
− 15-30% commission per order
− Additional marketing fees
− Delivery fees passed to customers
Order Accuracy
3.5
Order accuracy is generally good but issues arise with customizations
+ Digital orders reduce phone errors
+ Clear order tickets
− Missing items during delivery
− Driver handling issues
− Temperature problems on long deliveries
Customer Support
2.5
Support quality varies widely and resolution times can be slow
+ 24/7 availability
+ Multiple contact channels
− Long wait times
− Scripted responses
− Difficult to resolve disputes
Driver Quality
3.0
Driver quality is inconsistent due to contractor model
+ Large driver network
+ Fast pickup times
− Inconsistent professionalism
− Food handling concerns
− Late deliveries
What Restaurant Owners Say
“DoorDash brought us a lot of new customers we never would have reached. Our delivery orders increased 40% in the first month.”
— Restaurant Owner, Chicago (2025)“After fees, I'm barely breaking even on DoorDash orders. The 30% commission on a $20 order leaves me with almost no profit.”
— Pizza Shop Owner, Texas (2025)“Had a customer complaint about cold food. DoorDash refunded them and charged it back to us even though it was a driver issue.”
— Café Owner, Florida (2025)“The tablet is easy to use and integrates with our POS. Setup was straightforward.”
— Restaurant Manager, California (2024)“It's a necessary evil. We need the exposure but the fees hurt. Looking for alternatives.”
— Family Restaurant, New York (2025)Pros
Massive Customer Base
Access to millions of active users in most US markets, providing significant exposure
No Delivery Infrastructure Needed
DoorDash handles all driver logistics, vehicles, and delivery operations
Easy Setup
Quick onboarding process with provided tablet and minimal technical requirements
Marketing Reach
Benefit from DoorDash's advertising and promotions that drive customer traffic
Cons
High Commission Fees
15-30% per order significantly cuts into profit margins, especially on lower-priced items
No Customer Relationship
DoorDash owns the customer data; you can't market to or build relationships with customers
Quality Control Issues
No control over delivery experience; driver mistakes reflect on your restaurant
Price Pressure
Competition on platform forces price transparency and discounting to stay visible
Best For
New restaurants needing quick exposure
Restaurants without delivery infrastructure
High-margin menu items that absorb commission
Urban locations with high DoorDash usage
Not Best For
Low-margin restaurants
Restaurants wanting to build direct customer relationships
Businesses focused on long-term profitability
Restaurants with existing loyal customer base
Pricing Overview
Pricing Model
Commission per order + optional marketing fees
Starting Price
15% commission (Basic tier)
Typical Cost
25-30% per order (with marketing visibility)
Watch Out For Hidden Costs:
Our Honest Take
DoorDash excels at what it's designed for: getting your restaurant in front of millions of hungry customers quickly. However, the high commission structure makes it difficult to build a sustainable, profitable delivery business.
Verdict
Best used as a customer acquisition tool rather than a primary sales channel. The math works better when you convert DoorDash customers to direct orders over time.
Recommendation
Consider using DoorDash for initial exposure while building your own ordering system. Capture customer information when possible and incentivize direct ordering.
DoorDash vs Direct Ordering
| Aspect | DoorDash | RestauNax |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Fees | 15-30% per order | 0% commission |
| Customer Data | DoorDash owns it | You own it all |
| Brand Experience | DoorDash branded | Your brand throughout |
| Delivery Control | DoorDash drivers | Your choice of drivers |
| Marketing to Customers | Not allowed | Full email/SMS access |
| Profit on $25 Order | ~$17.50 after 30% fee | $25 (keep it all) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DoorDash worth it for small restaurants?
It depends on your margins. If your food cost is under 30%, DoorDash can work for exposure. But for most small restaurants, the 15-30% commission makes orders barely profitable. Consider it for customer acquisition, not as a profit center.
How much does DoorDash really cost restaurants?
Beyond the 15-30% commission, expect tablet fees ($6/week), chargebacks for customer issues, and potential promotional costs. On a $25 order at 30% commission, you'd pay $7.50—before any marketing or tablet fees.
Can I negotiate DoorDash commission rates?
Larger restaurant chains can sometimes negotiate, but independent restaurants typically can't. DoorDash offers tiered plans (Basic, Plus, Premier) with different commission/visibility tradeoffs.
Why do restaurants stay on DoorDash if fees are so high?
Customer volume. DoorDash has millions of users, and being absent means losing sales to competitors who are on the platform. Many restaurants use it alongside their own ordering system.
How do DoorDash reviews from customers affect restaurants?
Customer ratings on DoorDash directly affect your visibility and ranking. Low ratings can bury your listing. Unfortunately, you have limited control over delivery-related complaints.
Ready for a Better Alternative?
See how RestauNax compares to DoorDash with zero commission fees, AI-powered features, and complete ownership of your customer relationships.