As a Dasher for DoorDash, you’ve probably wondered if there are additional ways to make more money on the platform. Well, I’m glad to say that there is! There are several programs DoorDash offers that can potentially give you bigger offers and in return, more money in your pocket.
Some of these DoorDash programs are hard to get into and some require additional equipment. For me, I made it a mission to get into every program DoorDash has to offer as I believe in leaving no money on the table. These programs unlock certain priority orders, which create more opportunities and depending on your market, a greater earning potential.
There might be programs based on your area that might not interest you, but it’s alright. You can look out for the ones that have the most potential for you in your market. We want to ensure that you’re still making good money and feel comfortable delivering. Let’s break down each program that you can probably consider the next time you’re on the road!
What are DoorDash Programs?
DoorDash has several programs that reward dashers with certain priority orders depending on the specifics of the program. Each one depends on the eligibility of the Dasher and the availability in their local markets. We’ll talk more about the most popular DoorDash programs so you can decide which program(s) you would like to try out!
Top Dasher Program
This is DoorDash’s way of rewarding the best Dashers. Gone are the days of scheduling your dash time as a Top Dasher! The biggest reward of this program is being able to “Dash Now” anytime.
A Dasher needs to meet the following requirements prior to 11:59 PM on the last day of the month:
- Customer rating of at least 4.7
- Acceptance rate of at least 70%
- Completion rate of at least 95%
- 100 completed deliveries during the last month
- At least 200 lifetime deliveries completed
We’ve outlined everything you would need to know about the Top Dasher Program in a previous article if you’re interested in learning more!
Large Order or Catering Program
You can probably tell by the name of this program! The DoorDash large order program— sometimes called the catering program—gives Dashers the opportunity to take on larger orders usually for a larger party or catering. Dashers in this program have the opportunity to receive high-value orders during regular dashes. This unlocks orders that could potentially pay out 2-3 times as much as a regular order!
For the large order or catering program, you have to be invited via an email from DoorDash and meet the following requirements:
- 200+ lifetime deliveries
- 100+ deliveries in the past month
- 4.7+ average star rating in the past month
- 95%+ completion rate in the past month
Then before you can start taking on these large orders, you will need to have a catering bag and submit a photo of it to DoorDash as proof. No catering bag, no large orders!
Completing a Large Order Delivery with Setup
Some large order deliveries for the DoorDash catering program, you accept may involve the completion of a light setup upon arrival to the customer. As a Dasher, you will see a $3 Setup Extra Pay displayed on the scheduled delivery before you decide to take it on.
The setup process should be relatively simple. You may be asked to set up food trays on the destinated and lay out utensils. Then don’t forget to submit a clear and accurate photo of the completed setup to show the job has been completed!
Pizza Program
Start delivering one of the most popular family-friendly meals—pizza! With the DoorDash Pizza Program, Dashers get priority access to pizza orders when they verify owning a pizza bag. Once confirmed, you’ll automatically get prioritized to receive pizza offers to increase your earning potential.
As a Dasher, some of our biggest orders come from the DoorDash pizza delivery program so you should highly consider keeping a pizza bag in your vehicle to continue unlocking more offers! If you don’t own a pizza bag, you can order one from the DoorDash store or find a lightly used one. Just make sure it’s insulated and the standard pizza bag size, which is usually around 18 inches wide, 18 inches long, and 5 inches deep.
Alcohol Delivery
To deliver alcohol as a Dasher, you need to be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. You should have your driver’s license readily available when you pick up the order as merchants will ask for it.
Similar to the protocols of being able to serve or sell alcohol at a restaurant or store, there are certain requirements and detailed procedures you will need to go through to lawfully deliver alcohol with DoorDash. As a Dasher, you could be held liable if you deliver alcohol to a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself and the customer.
Other tips when delivering alcohol with DoorDash:
- You must verify the customer’s identity by following the steps outlined in the Dasher app before handing over an order containing alcohol
- You cannot leave an alcohol order unattended or hand it to someone else who cannot produce a valid ID
- If you are ever unsure of what to do, you can contact support in the Dasher app. Better to be safe than sorry!
Shop & Deliver
Do you enjoy the full experience of shopping for a customer’s order to delivering it to their front door? You should consider the DoorDash Shop & Deliver program to potentially make more than regular food delivery. It’s a good option because your productivity won’t rely on a restaurant preparing an order and you don’t have to plan your day around a restaurant’s peak lunch or dinner hours.
Other DoorDash Programs
DoorDash is continuously updating and experimenting with new programs. For example, they’re currently testing the new “Priority Access Program” in certain markets across the US and Canada. I recommend checking back on DoorDash’s website every so often to get the most up-to-date information. Most communications on these programs come via email, so don’t forget to check there too!
Do any of these programs sound like something that you are interested in? Don’t forget every market is different, but you also never know until you try. What works well for me where I live may not work as well elsewhere, or vice versa. I recommend testing the ones you may be interested in to see if it’s right for you!
My Experience with DoorDash Programs
I tried as many programs as possible to see which one I would like! I started out with the Pizza Bag program, got certified for Alcohol Delivery, and finally moved on to the two hardest ones— Top Dasher and Large Order program. The Top Dasher program required a lot of work but was well worth it in the long run. You can read more about my experience here!
The Large Order program was difficult to get into but also paid off! For Alcohol Delivery, I usually work during the day so I don’t get too many of these–but that is a personal preference and schedule that works for me.
Each one has been different and sometimes tough to meet the eligibility requirements, but I appreciate each one and the potential it gave me to earn more. In my experience, the Top Dasher and Large Order programs have generated more income which allows me to be out less on the road and home more with my family. To me, that is a BIG win.
DoorDash programs are available to part-time or full-time Dashers depending on the availability in your area. Hopefully, you can find one (or several) that work for you. Happy Dashing!
Kim Schwarz AKA Kim’ssidemoneyplans has been working in the Gig Economy since 2019. She runs multiple apps including food and grocery delivery with over 10K deliveries on all platforms combined. Kim is a full-time mom, gig worker, and has her own YouTube channel. Her YouTube channel was established in 2020 to inspire other drivers to go out, have fun, and make money! Her Motto is “kindness is always free” and lives by it every day. Based out of New Jersey, Kim is an expert on Gig Apps and hopes to help others achieve their goals.
