Inflation Insights
The most common action SMBs take to offset the commission rate — that can risk long-term customer retention.
What is increasing DD menu prices?
This program helps merchants retain value-conscious customers by rewarding repeat orders.
What is Store Rewards?
This DoorDash product allows merchants to drive orders without discounting food prices, but is a waste of $$ if the merchant is inflating.
What is Sponsored Listings?
"My prices aren’t that high — I don’t see the issue."
Lowering prices by just 10% can drive up to a 20% increase in orders because customers notice even small markups.
You're trying to understand the merchant’s logic behind marking up all their DoorDash items by 25% and how it aligns with their broader strategy. This phrase helps you gently seek more context
What is “Tell me more about that”?
This operational challenge has grown for many merchants due to inflation, making delivery fulfillment harder (a common objection).
What is labor shortage?
When a merchant is concerned about visibility, AMs should lead with this performance metric that connects exposure to real value
What are impressions?
This product can help merchants avoid 3rd party commission fees while still growing online orders - a common pivot during an inflation conversation.
What is DoorDash Online Ordering?
"DoorDash charges me so much per order, I have to inflate prices to offset it."
Incremental DoorDash sales deliver 40–60% profit margins since labor and rent don’t increase.
After hearing the merchant say, "We only inflated prices to offset the commission," you reflect back to ensure you're both aligned on the reasoning before offering alternatives.
What is “What I’m hearing you say is…”?
During inflation, many merchants turn to this type of revenue to balance rising in-store costs.
What is third party delivery?
This proactive, data driven meeting can prevent churn when a merchant raises concerns about ROI.
What is a QBR?
This bundle offering is especially compelling during inflation and includes visibility + rewards.
What is Ads + Loyalty Bundle (e.g., Sponsored Listings + Store Rewards)?
"I need to mark up by 30% since you charge 30% commission."
Marking up 30% can lead to fewer sales and lower conversion rates — lowering markup drives more orders and higher net profit.
The merchant is adamant about keeping high prices due to perceived high fees. You want to build trust and acknowledge the data might not be telling the full story.
“I’m only looking at one side of the story…” (what’s the restaurant side?)
During inflation in the 1970s, this item became a national obsession and symbol of rising prices — so much so that news anchors used it to explain the Consumer Price Index. It was also a campaign talking point in the 2024 GOP presidential campaign.
What is the price of eggs?
In 2023, this dollar store chain announced it would raise its base price to $1.25, ending its 35-year streak of fighting inflation.
What is Dollar Tree?
In response to inflation, some brands began using “shrinkflation” — reducing portion sizes instead of raising prices. This controversial tactic even affected this popular, often a favorite airport snack, chocolate bar.
What is the Toblerone?
"This is too complicated — I don’t have time to manage pricing changes."
The Merchant Portal’s Instant Price Update tool allows changes in just a few clicks, with projected ROI shown instantly.
You want to reframe the inflation conversation around long-term value and growth rather than short-term margins. You shift the conversation with this goal-focused phrase.
What is “Based on your goals”?
This ROI-focused metric is especially important to track during inflation to show how DoorDash is driving sustainable value.
What is customer lifetime value (CLV)?
This Storefront feature allows merchants to retain margins while keeping pricing competitive — a key value during inflation.
What is commission-free ordering?
When pitching Sponsored Listings during inflation, this ROI proof point is critical to overcome hesitation.
What is return on ad spend (ROAS)?
"If I lower my DoorDash prices, I’ll lose money on every order."
Lowering markups boosts conversion and visibility, and the extra order volume usually offsets margin loss — resulting in higher net profit.
You notice competitors in the same submarket are priced 15% lower and performing better. To create a consultative, data-driven moment, you pivot to this phrase.
What is “Let’s take a look at the data”?