DoorDash says its platform is helping Canadian restaurants and retailers attract new customers, with 80 per cent of surveyed consumers reporting they have used the service to discover a new restaurant or retailer.
The findings are part of the company’s 2025 Canada Community Impact Report, which examines the platform’s economic and social contributions to consumers, merchants and delivery workers across the country. The report highlights the role of online ordering and delivery platforms in helping local businesses reach customers beyond their physical locations, while providing consumers with another way to discover neighbourhood retailers and restaurants.
Among consumers who had ordered groceries or retail products through DoorDash, 47 per cent said they purchased from a store they otherwise would not have tried. Of those who used the platform to order from a restaurant they otherwise would not have visited, 93 per cent said they would order from the business again.
The survey also found that 72 per cent of consumer respondents believe DoorDash helps them support small businesses in their communities.
“Supporting local communities is at the heart of what we do at DoorDash,” said Brian Kaufmann, director and head of Canada policy at DoorDash. “That means helping people discover businesses in their neighbourhoods, giving merchants tools to grow online, and providing Dashers with a flexible way to earn supplemental income. These insights show how DoorDash empowers the communities we serve.”
Merchants report increased customer reach and revenue
The report also examined the platform’s reach among Canadian merchants and its reported contribution to business growth. More than 50,000 merchants were available on DoorDash Marketplace in Canada as of December 2025, generating more than $2.5 billion in sales through the platform, according to the company.
In the merchant survey, 81 per cent of respondents agreed DoorDash had helped their businesses attract new customers. Another 70 per cent said the platform had helped increase their overall revenue, while 60 per cent reported it had helped them establish a larger presence in their communities. The report also found that one in eight merchant respondents said their business would not exist today without DoorDash, suggesting the platform has become an important sales channel for some participating businesses.
The findings point to customer acquisition as a key part of the platform’s reported contribution to merchants, with businesses using online ordering to reach consumers who might not otherwise visit their physical locations.
For retailers and restaurants, the ability to connect with new customers through the marketplace can also lead to repeat business. The consumer findings showing that 93 per cent of respondents who discovered a restaurant through DoorDash would order from it again suggest that initial discovery can translate into ongoing customer relationships.
Survey examines flexibility for delivery workers
The report also assessed the experiences of Dashers, DoorDash’s term for delivery workers who use its app to accept and complete deliveries. The company says the platform allows delivery workers to choose when and where they work, providing an opportunity to earn income alongside other employment, education or family responsibilities.
Among surveyed Dashers, 85 per cent said they enjoy the work they do, while 89 per cent agreed that delivering through the platform allows them to work while maintaining other jobs or responsibilities. The survey also found that 75 per cent of Dasher respondents had used their earnings to cover unexpected expenses. Another 67 per cent said the work had helped them cope with the rising cost of living.
DoorDash said the findings demonstrate how its platform connects consumers, merchants and delivery workers, while contributing to local economies across Canada.
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