DoorDash lets users order by text message

DoorDash announced on September 30, 2026, that users in the United States can now order meals and groceries via text message. The new feature allows customers to message requests as if texting a friend, letting the system search local menus, assemble the cart, and complete checkout without opening the app. DoorDash opened a waitlist for the beta experience on its website.

The tool builds on the in-app assistant Ask DoorDash. According to the company, users discovered more than 40,000 new restaurants using the assistant in its first three months, with nearly half of restaurant orders placed through it going to places consumers had never tried before. An average U.S. consumer has more than 800,000 menu and grocery products available to choose from on the platform.

Alongside text ordering, DoorDash launched updates for grocery shopping. Over 30% of grocery orders made through Ask DoorDash are routine restocks, prompting a new one-tap reorder tool. The assistant also scans store shelves in real time to suggest cheaper equivalent products before checkout.

DoorDash reported that grocery baskets are assembled five times faster using Ask DoorDash. Furthermore, grocery orders placed with the assistant averaged nearly 50% higher basket value and about 60% more unique items compared to traditional orders by the same shoppers.