DoorDash Rolls Out AI Tools to Speed Merchant Onboarding and Boost Sales
DoorDash launched a suite of AI-driven tools for restaurant merchants on Tuesday, designed to reduce setup time, automate marketing, and improve sales across multiple sales channels. The updates include faster onboarding, video libraries, photo enhancement, and AI-powered websites for direct ordering.
Onboarding Gets Faster
The new self-serve onboarding experience cuts setup time by more than 35%, according to DoorDash. The system uses AI to extract information directly from a merchant's existing website-photos, hours, menu items-and presents it for review rather than requiring manual entry.
Jonathan Mallinson, owner of Backstreet Pizza & Pub, said the process took less time than expected. "Orders came in and were all delivered smoothly," he said.
Video and Photo Tools
DoorDash added a Video Library within its merchant portal, letting restaurants upload and organize video content at no cost. Videos can be tagged to specific menu items, allowing customers to order directly from what they see. The platform tracks views, video-driven sales, and new customer acquisition.
The company also expanded access to AI photo editing tools across web and mobile. Three modes are available: AI Retouch improves existing photos by cleaning backgrounds and sharpening quality; AI Replate transforms photos into professional-looking dishes with enhanced lighting and appropriate dinnerware; and a style-matching tool lets merchants apply one image's aesthetic to others.
Merchants can download edited images for use on other channels beyond DoorDash.
Direct Ordering Gets Automation
DoorDash enhanced its Commerce Platform, which offers commission-free direct ordering options. AI-Powered Websites now let merchants launch branded sites in minutes rather than hours, using existing menu and branding data. The company reported average conversion rates of nearly 10% on these sites.
A new AI-Powered Marketer tool automates email campaigns tied to occasions like Mother's Day or local festivals, reducing the time merchants spend writing and scheduling outreach. Trena Wallace, owner of Fishhook Seafood, said the automated emails "made our marketing efforts easier to manage and much more efficient."
These updates reflect a broader shift toward reducing operational friction for restaurant owners. The tools address a common challenge: merchants often lack the time or technical expertise to optimize their online presence across multiple channels.
For product teams, the release illustrates how AI for Product Development can reduce user friction during critical workflows like onboarding. It also demonstrates the value of AI Agents & Automation in handling repetitive tasks-email campaigns, image editing, website setup-that would otherwise consume merchant time.
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