DoorDash's rise to the top was fueled by logistics, suburban expansion, and aggressive execution. Its market share soared past 50% during COVID and continues growing.
In 2016, Grubhub dominated food delivery. By 2024, DoorDash flipped the script, capturing the largest share. It focused on controlling logistics, giving it an edge over rivals like Uber Eats. By 2019, it surpassed Grubhub, and by 2024, it controlled over 50% of the U.S. market. Uber Eats held 30%, while Grubhub collapsed to less than 10%. DoorDash didn’t just win—it pulled off a historic steal.
DoorDash made five critical moves:
1️⃣ Built a delivery-first model instead of just listing restaurants.
2️⃣ Expanded into suburbs, avoiding urban competition.
3️⃣ Executed at lightning speed, launching DashPass and tracking features first.
4️⃣ Raised over $1B, outspending rivals.
5️⃣ COVID timing—when the pandemic hit, it was already set up to dominate suburban markets while competitors struggled.
Probably worth to write full report on that!
In 2019, DoorDash had 30% of the market. By 2021, it surged past 50%, fueled by lockdowns and consumer habits shifting online. Uber Eats gained but couldn’t keep up, while Grubhub collapsed. DoorDash’s suburban dominance proved critical, as it had already built a network in areas where demand exploded when dining out stopped.
DoorDash isn’t slowing down. In 2019, it took 8.5% of every order’s value. By 2024, that figure hit 14%, driven by ad revenue and logistics efficiency. It’s expanding into groceries, pet supplies, and ride-sharing with Lyft. The company isn’t just delivering your burritos—it’s making sure you never leave the app.
Is DoorDash unstoppable, or will Uber Eats fight back?
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