DoorDash: Delivering Growth amidst Market Challenges

Case Code: BSTR697
Case Length: 17 Pages
Period: -
Pub Date: 2025
Teaching Note: Available

Price: Rs.400
Organization : DoorDash Inc
Industry : Foodservice
Countries : United States
Themes: Growth Strategy, Platform Model Business Models

Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts

Excerpts

Business Model

DoorDash’s business model operated as a three-sided marketplace connecting customers with local restaurants or stores (merchants) and delivery drivers (Dashers), with each playing a critical role in its growth. It operated as an on-demand food delivery platform, facilitating delivery services and allowing customers to order food from their favorite restaurants. DoorDash’s app allowed customers to track their orders in real-time.

Leveraging Cutting-Edge Technology

DoorDash adopted a data-centric approach. The company continuously monitored delivery routes, personalized customer recommendations, and improved merchant services through intense data analysis. Data was the fuel that drove the company’s ‘Get 1% better every day’ goal . The platform meticulously collected data points from every stage of the processes: from alluring ad images, menu presentation, even the precise moment a meal was picked up, ready to be delivered to the consumer. These data points were scrutinized and analyzed across weekdays and weekends and morning rush to late-night cravings..

Results

Aggressive expansion and data-driven analytics helped DoorDash grow over time. The company had entered the food delivery market as an underdog, competing against well established players such as Uber Eats and Grubhub. While these players focused on urban markets, DoorDash focused on suburban areas and leveraged an untapped customer base. As of 2023, DoorDash commanded 67% of the US market share, while Uber Eats held 25% and Grubhub 8%..

Challenges Ahead

One of the biggest challenges for DoorDash going forward was growing competition in the food delivery space from platforms like Uber Eats and Grubhub, as well as traditional restaurant chains and grocery stores. In early 2025, Uber filed a lawsuit against DoorDash alleging anti-competitive practices According to Uber, DoorDash coerced restaurants into exclusive partnerships and if they did not oblige, threatened to charge higher commission rates from them. Moreover, DoorDash’s expansion into groceries and other areas would lead it into more direct competition with Amazon and Walmart..

Exhibits

Exhibit I: Dasher Rating
Exhibit II:DoorDash: Revenue Breakdown
Exhibit III: DoorDash: Key Metrics
Exhibit IV: DoorDash: Total Orders (2022-2024)
Exhibit V: DoorDash Revenues (2019-2024)
Exhibit VI: Market Share of Leading Online Meal Delivery Platforms in the US (as of January 2024)
Exhibit VII: US Online Food Delivery Market: Projected Growth

Buy this case study (Please select any one of the payment options)

Price: Rs.400

PayPal (9 USD)

Custom Search