DoorDash has announced a wave of new features that will let customers order food by text message, receive some deliveries by drone and even have a Dasher return purchases to stores.
The company unveiled the changes Tuesday at its Dash Forward 2026 event. Several of the consumer features are specifically launching in the U.S., and DoorDash did not announce Canadian availability in its release.
One of the biggest changes is text-based ordering. U.S. iPhone users can join a waitlist starting today for a beta that brings DoorDash’s Ask DoorDash assistant directly into text messages.
Customers can ask for a specific meal, request recommendations or tell DoorDash to order something they have purchased before. The system searches nearby restaurants, builds a cart and handles checkout within the text conversation. DoorDash says it can also learn and remember customer preferences.
DoorDash is also expanding into drone delivery with DoorDash Air, its own custom-built delivery system.
The first pilot is launching in Northern California with restaurants including Chipotle and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. DoorDash estimates about 80% of typical U.S. restaurant orders are small and light enough for its aircraft to carry safely. Of course, having decent weather for drone delivery also helps.
Initial tests saw delivery times of less than five minutes on average from restaurant to customer for a limited sample of U.S. orders. Delivery times are not guaranteed.
DoorDash also announced Dasher Returns, which lets customers pay a flat $7.99 USD fee to have an eligible purchase picked up and returned to a store. The service is available in select U.S. cities and is expected to expand nationwide in November.
Other announcements include DashOS, a new platform connecting restaurant ordering, reservations, loyalty and marketing tools, along with DashBuddy, an AI assistant for Dashers.
DoorDash is also developing a corporate ordering connector using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing compatible workplace AI tools to help employees order meals, manage group orders and even restock office supplies.
