How Six Restaurant Operators Are Turning Digital Orders Into Growth

Restaurants have more ways than ever to reach guests digitally, but increasing order volume is only part of the opportunity. Operators also need ways to turn those transactions into direct sales and relationships that make customers want to return.

Getting discovered, driving orders, and retaining customers often requires juggling separate tools. DoorDash Direct allows them to manage the full customer journey from discovery to loyalty on one platform. It also gives restaurants tools to grow their own digital channels, including commission-free online ordering, branded websites and mobile apps, marketing, and loyalty.

Restaurant growth strategies

According to DoorDash, merchants that launched DoorDash Direct averaged 47 percent direct online sales growth within the first two months*. These six restaurant operators show how the platform’s tools can translate into real-world results.

*Based on a sample of 193 merchants.

Make It Easier for Guests to Find the Restaurant

Digital presence and sales

For Bassam Aamoudi, owner of Shawarma Refuge, building a stronger digital presence meant making sure customers searching for the restaurant could easily find it and place an order. After launching a search-optimized branded website through DoorDash Direct, the restaurant saw sales grow 67 percent within three weeks*.

“When people look for my business on Google, my website comes up first,” Aamoudi says. “That’s the main source of customers ordering from the site.”

The website connects guests directly to commission-free online ordering, helping Shawarma Refuge turn online searches into sales.

*Based on DoorDash data from November 2025–January 2026.

Turn More Traffic Into Direct Orders

TRIO Bar & Grill already had an established digital presence, but operations manager Jarek Taylor saw an opportunity to turn more of that traffic into direct business. After launching a branded website through DoorDash Direct, TRIO increased direct online orders 111 percent within three weeks*.

“With our branded website, we’ve seen a huge increase in the direct orders we’ve been receiving,” Taylor says. Orders placed through DoorDash Online Ordering are also commission-free, giving restaurants another way to protect margins while offering guests a direct path to purchase.

*Based on DoorDash data from October 2025–December 2025.

Turn Marketplace Customers Into Direct Customers

Taichi Bubble Tea used DoorDash Marketplace to attract new customers. In early 2026, Taichi enrolled in DoorDash Direct’s Cross Channel Loyalty program and funded an opt-in Marketplace promotion to get those customers to order directly at 0% commission. Within one week, 1,800 customers became available for email marketing. A single promotional email then converted 6 percent of recipients into first-time direct customers, while Taichi paid 71 percent less in DoorDash commission fees during the period*.

“Having a channel like Marketplace where we can run campaigns targeting new customers and converting them into direct customers that use our branded mobile app powered by DoorDash Direct really benefits our bottom line as well as our franchisees,” says Kelvin Chen, co-founder of Taichi Bubble Tea.

*Based on DoorDash data from April 15, 2026 through June 3, 2026.

Customer retention and loyalty

Turn Discovery Into Retention

Frangos Chicken Fingers uses DoorDash Marketplace and DoorDash Direct for different parts of the customer journey. Marketplace helps introduce the restaurant to new guests, while its branded app, loyalty program, and direct ordering channels give Frangos ways to keep those customers engaged.

The strategy helped lift direct online sales 76 percent within two months*. Customers who joined the Frangos loyalty program online also spent 65 percent more on direct orders than non-loyalty customers*.

“DoorDash Direct really allows us to scale while protecting what makes Frangos truly special—the community and connection behind the brand,” says head of marketing Danya Hmina.

*Based on DoorDash data from April–December 2025.

Give Guests a Reason to Come Back

Brothers Burgers saw direct online sales jump 436 percent within two months of implementing DoorDash Direct*. Loyalty is an important part of that growth: customers who joined the restaurant’s loyalty program online spent 2.2 times more on direct orders than non-loyalty customers*.

Managing member Nayeli Jimenez says giving guests flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards removes friction from the experience.

“If a customer sees that rewards are interchangeable no matter how they order, they’re not going to think twice whether they order in-store, through the website, or through Marketplace,” Jimenez says.

*Based on DoorDash data from October 2025 to January 2026.

Use Loyalty to Build Relationships

Fishhook Seafood owner Trena Wallace uses loyalty for more than encouraging another transaction. Through DoorDash Direct, Fishhook can review order history and guest feedback, then reach out to customers with rewards when appropriate.

The restaurant saw a 122 percent sales lift within two months, while loyalty customers who signed up online spent 33 percent more than non-loyalty customers*.

“The loyalty program has been a game changer,” Wallace says. “We’re not just serving meals, we’re rewarding returning customers and building lasting relationships.”

By offering rewards to customers who leave reviews, Fishhook turns individual orders into guest relationships that continue long after checkout.

*Based on DoorDash data from August 2025 to December 2025.