DoorDash announced on June 11 the launch of a new AI chatbot called "Ask DoorDash" that allows users to order food, groceries, and make restaurant reservations through text prompts and photos [1, 2]. The chatbot lets customers search with natural language, recipe links, or images to automatically build grocery carts, streamlining the ordering process [1, 2].
Ask DoorDash also offers features such as reordering previous grocery carts, suggesting items based on past purchases, and tailoring recommendations according to dietary preferences, budgets, and group sizes [1]. For reservations, the chatbot helps users find and book tables by specifying party size and desired time, aiming to simplify restaurant searches when users do not have a specific venue in mind. "Traditional search works best when you know the exact restaurant or table you’re looking for. Ask DoorDash is designed for the moments when you don’t," the company said in a blog post [1].
The chatbot is currently rolling out on iOS in selected US regions and will expand to more cities and users in the weeks ahead [1, 2]. This launch builds on DoorDash’s recent AI initiatives, including merchant tools introduced in May and significant investments in autonomous delivery technology [2].
DoorDash has pursued aggressive growth through acquisitions, including a $1.2 billion deal for SevenRooms and nearly $4 billion for Deliveroo [2]. However, its stock has dropped 33% year-to-date, while the Nasdaq has gained around 8%, reflecting investor caution about the company's heavy spending [2]. In November 2025, DoorDash acknowledged the challenges of growth, stating, "We wish there was a way to grow a baby into an adult without investment, or to see the baby grow into an adult overnight. But we do not believe this is how life or business works" [2].
DoorDash plans to continue expanding Ask DoorDash to reach more users and incorporate additional features as part of its push into AI-powered services and technology enhancements [1, 2].
