DoorDash’s commitment to powering local Texas economies

DoorDash was founded with a mission to grow and empower local economies. The year 2020 proved to be one of the most challenging in history for local economies across Texas, particularly restaurants. That is why, at the start of this crisis as restaurant dining rooms were closing, we implemented Main Street Strong, an initiative to support local restaurants through this challenging time.

Main Street Strong was designed to help restaurants get back on their feet, and we’re proud of the value restaurants tell us they’ve seen. Over the course of the pandemic, DoorDash supported local Texas restaurants, as well as restaurants nationwide. During the first several months of the crisis, DoorDash provided $120 million in commission relief and marketing investments, reduced commissions for mom-and-pop restaurants by 50%, and eliminated commissions for pickup and for restaurants new to DoorDash. Recognizing that some restaurants needed assistance getting online, we created DoorDash Storefront, which enables restaurants to easily create their own online stores. Knowing many Texans relied on DoorDash for access to meals while staying at home, we provided free personal safety equipment for Dashers — including hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes and masks — to ensure that pickup and delivery are as safe as possible.

DoorDash is committed to helping our restaurant partners navigate the challenges posed by this public health crisis, and is proud of our contribution. In fact, according to a survey of restaurants that use the DoorDash platform, more​ than half say their businesses would have closed during the current crisis if not for DoorDash.

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, we continue to assist the restaurants that mean so much to our communities. In partnership with the Texas Restaurant Association, DoorDash recently expanded our grant program to help Lone Star State restaurants with a direct contribution of $500,000 to the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund.

“The Texas restaurant industry has struggled during the pandemic,” said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President and CEO of TRA. “DoorDash’s contribution to the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund will support our businesses by giving them a financial resource right when they need it to help get them through the rest of this public health crisis.”

Through our social impact initiative, Project DASH, we’ve leveraged the power of the DoorDash platform to work with nonprofits and governments to serve communities in need, with last-mile delivery. Thanks to partnerships with organizations across the United States and Canada, we’ve been able to respond to the enormous need in vulnerable and food-insecure communities during COVID-19, including 27 cities across 12 Texas counties. We have made more than 400,000 deliveries of household supplies, holiday items, and food pantry boxes, and delivered more than 6 million prepared meals in 2020. We’re honored to deepen our partnership with United Way in 2021 with a two-year, 2-million-delivery goal to further support those most in need.

With the challenges that Texans faced last year likely extending into the next several months, we recognize that our commitment to supporting the people and local businesses that power DoorDash has never been more important. We are committed to continuing to ensure restaurants are able to reach customers who may not be walking through their doors, and to serving Texas communities.