Add an extra source of income by utilizing Brand Licensing to sell a brand’s menu, right from your kitchen and with your own team. We’ll guide you through licensing a recognized brand from an established physical merchant. Then you’ll use your own space, staff, and equipment to prepare that brand’s signature dishes. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting the right brand and how DoorDash assists in promoting your new store. We want you to enjoy the perks of added profitability without the hassle.
What are the benefits of opening a virtual restaurant with DoorDash?
We’ll help you license an existing brand from an established brick-and-mortar merchant, and you’ll use your space, staff, and equipment to develop that brand’s menu items. You’ll earn additional revenue (at low or no cost) by offering these items to customers using a separate, online-only, virtual restaurant menu on DoorDash. DoorDash will handle the training, marketing, and DoorDash store page.
By adding a virtual brand to your store, you can increase your income and expand your menu easily, with little or no extra expenses. You can make the most of your existing kitchen, equipment and team in your virtual kitchen.
How will DoorDash help me launch a virtual kitchen?
DoorDash will help you find the right virtual restaurant concept and set up your DoorDash listing. We’ll also support you by:
Providing an established supply chain so you can procure necessary ingredients with minimal effort.
Leading onboarding sessions and providing complete training materials to help your staff understand the culinary processes for the licensed brand you’ve chosen to host.
Offering DoorDash-funded marketing support on an ongoing basis to drive awareness about your licensed brand in your area.
How do I get started with DoorDash business licensing?
Navigate to your Merchant Portal, and head to the Add Solution tab.
If you are eligible, in the Solutions Center, navigate to the Attract New Customers section and License a Brand. Click Learn more. Note: This tile will not show up until you are confirmed as eligible.
From the learn more page, click Get Started.
Next, select a time on the calendar that fits your schedule to meet with one of our Brand Licensing specialists who will ask you a few questions about your business and help you select the right brand to license.
Once your newly licensed brand is set up, it will have its own Portal login separate from your own store.
Licensing FAQ
Why should I host another brand in my kitchen?
Hosting an existing brand in your kitchen and opening another DoorDash listing allows restaurants the opportunity to generate additional revenue while using your current kitchen, staff, and equipment to prepare and offer a delivery-only menu on Doordash. It’s a good option for operators who want to launch a proven, high-performing virtual restaurant and don’t want to spend time developing a completely new concept, brand, or menu.
What do customers see when ordering from the licensed brand?
On the DoorDash app and website, customers order directly from the virtual restaurant's store. On the store page, they see a banner informing them that this is a brand hosted by a local merchant.
How much does launching a virtual restaurant cost?
Restaurant partners looking to license a brand with DoorDash can expect a competitive commission-based percentage fee. Since licensed brand items are prepared with resources you already have in your kitchen, incremental costs for labor, equipment, and rent are minimal to nonexistent.
Incorporating a virtual brand into your store offers the opportunity to broaden your menu and boost your earnings. With our guidance in brand selection and promotion, you can get started with confidence and ease.
Want to find other ways to increase your profits? Learn how to attract new customers.
