Modern merchants know that third-party marketplaces play a big role in restaurant survival and growth, connecting businesses with hungry customers who might've never found them otherwise. And while these platforms can bring in a substantial volume of orders, neglecting your first-party channels can limit your long-term growth.

According to the 2025 DoorDash Delivery Trends Report, the second-most popular way customers order delivery is directly from a restaurant's website or app (41%). That’s why both local hotspots and national brands are turning to the DoorDash Commerce Platform to own sales and customer relationships. Think: commission-free* online ordering, an SEO-friendly website, a custom mobile app, loyalty marketing tools for restaurants, and guest outreach — all powered by the same trusted tech that runs DoorDash.

Still on the fence? Here are four proven ways the DoorDash Commerce Platform helps restaurants grow direct, online sales.

1. Launch online ordering for your restaurant

Think of direct online ordering as your restaurant's digital front door, allowing you to control the guest experience from the very start. 

With direct ordering, you can:

• Boost commission-free* orders

• Control your brand, menu, and pricing

• Add it to your existing website, or let DoorDash build a branded website from the ground up

Your online ordering site becomes an extension of your restaurant — familiar, trustworthy, and built to drive direct orders. By linking it across your digital touchpoints (search platforms, social media, email), you give customers a consistent and convenient way to order every time.

2. Promote direct ordering to increase profitability

Getting customers to use your online ordering site requires a little promotion, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small nudges can make a big impact:

• Offer order incentives like free add-ons, discounts, or loyalty points.

• Highlight convenience such as faster checkout, saved payment info, or exclusive menu items.

• Spread the word with in-store signage, table tents, or simple conversations with regulars.

Your guests already love your food — now show them that ordering directly is better and more convenient for both of you. They’ll feel good supporting your business, and you’ll keep more of every sale.

3. Use loyalty marketing to drive more repeat online sales

Nearly half of Americans (47%) place repeat restaurant orders at least weekly, according to the 2025 DoorDash Delivery Trends Report. In other words, repeat guests are the foundation of long-term success. 

With the DoorDash Commerce Platform Pro package, you can set up a restaurant loyalty marketing program that rewards guests for coming back:

• Spend-based rewards: E.g. "Spend $50, get $10 off.”

• Visit-based rewards: E.g. “Visit 5 times, get $15 off.”

4. Send targeted marketing campaigns to past guests

Some guests might drift over time. Maybe they moved, maybe a competitor’s offer caught their eye, or maybe life just got busy. With the DoorDash Commerce Platform, you can use built-in marketing tools to help win them back. 

With the Commerce Platform Boost package, you can reconnect with customers through automated:

• Reorder campaigns to boot customer lifetime value (CLTV)

• Win-back campaigns with tailored offers for lapsed customers via automated email

The more you stay connected, the more likely they are to return. 

Make direct ordering your superpower

Third-party marketplaces will always have an important place in your growth strategy. But it’s the combination of marketplace reach and direct ordering that truly increases your margins and guest loyalty. 

With the DoorDash Commerce Platform, you get everything you need to grow online – from a branded website and commission-free* online ordering to marketing automation and loyalty tools. These tools allow you to grow your restaurant online sales and keep more of every order.

*2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee applies.