Uber & OpenTable Form Strategic Global Partnership
DoorDash pushes new verticals, investors love Rivian micromobility, delivery fraudster gets pardon
We’re just a week and a half away from Curbivore 2025 — so of course there’s even more industry news that usual. We’ve got a big team-up by Uber and DoorDash, new retailers on DoorDash, a push into smaller vehicles by Rivian, and of course the continued degradation of the rule of law!
This week’s edition is brought to you by Curbivore 2025 — register now and save hundreds, prices jump Friday!
Today:
OpenTable Reserves New Uber Partnership
DoorDash Adds DSW
Chart Time | Market Loves Rivian’s Delivery Bike
Presidential Pardons for Delivery’s Bad Boys
PARTNERSHIPS | Uber Teams Up With OpenTable
Uber and OpenTable are teaming up in a big way, as the two companies form a “first-of-its-kind collaboration,” combining Uber’s ride-hailing and delivery services with OpenTable’s restaurant network across the US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Australia and Ireland. Uber and DoorDash together work with over one million restaurants worldwide; this new partnership aims to make it easier to reserve a table in Uber’s app, while adding on delivery, and seamless transport to a restaurant, to OpenTable’s. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also hinted at new perks for Uber One members specifically.
The Big Picture: OpenTable currently works with 60,000 restaurants worldwide, which could serve as a nice funnel for Uber as the latter tries to grow its merchant base both domestically and overseas. OpenTable is owned by Booking Holdings, the parent co. of brands like Booking.com, Priceline and Kayak — so there could be some additional deep-seated partnerships in the works. There’s also a bit of delicious irony in this partnership, as Uber CEO Dara K. used to helm Expedia Group, Booking’s arch-rival.
Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Policy Richard Willder joins us at Curbivore to share the company’s vision for the future of autonomous mobility and delivery. Register now to join him.
EVENTS | Curbivore Returns Next Week - Join Us in DTLA
Curbivore 2025 is a week and a half away, as delivery and mobility leaders convene in Downtown LA on April 10th and 11th. We’ve still got a few discounted tickets left, register today and save hundreds before prices jump!
MERCHANTS | DoorDash Adds DSW — Designer Shoe Warehouse
DoorDash is continuing its foray into non-restaurant verticals, announcing a new partnership with footwear retailer DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse.) The Ohio-based shoe-slanger is bringing its nearly 500 domestic stores to DoorDash’s network. DSW could certainly use a boost, net sales fell 5.4% to $713.6 million in Q4. While some prices look to be the same via 3PD and direct, others, like these pink Nikes, seem to have a $10 premium when purchased via DoorDash.
The Big Picture: New verticals is still a growth area for DD. While 99% of U.S. DoorDash users now have access to a non-restaurant retailer, only 1 in 4 consumers have placed an order from a grocery, retail, alcohol, or convenience brand. Holidays like Valentine’s Day are proving to be good opportunities to grow the segment, with the festive occasion growing wine says 95% YoY and pushing up grocery / retail sales by 50%+. Uber also continues to grow its retail assortment, adding on Sally Beauty and Petco.
Learn from DoorDash’s leadership at Curbivore, April 10-11. DoorDash Co-Founder Stanley Tang joins Coco Co-Founder Zach Rash and Wing CEO Adam Woodworth for a conversation about next-gen technology. And be sure to drop in to the workshop about incentivizing e-bikes and EVs for delivery use, led by DoorDash’s Global Head of Public Affairs. Register now before ticket prices jump!
CHART TIME | Markets Excited for Rivian’s Delivery LEV
EV maker Rivian announced big plans for Also, its new micromobility brand, which is set to focus on both consumers and delivery fleets. While Rivian maintains a substantial minority ownership stake, it’s spun out the entity with $105M in new funding from Eclipse Ventures. The market looks to like those plans, with Rivian stock jumping 20% on the news, despite a broader market selldown.
LAW | Trump Pardons Delivery Fraudsters
President Trump has issued a pardon of Trevor Milton, who was convicted in 2022 on charges of securities and wire fraud, related to the progress of his hydrogen trucking company Nikola. Prosecutors claimed Milton made “false and misleading statements regarding Nikola’s product and technology development,” with the intent to “induce retail investors to purchase Nikola stock.” The company infamously made its truck appear to operate under its own power, when instead the vehicle was simply rolling down a hill. Notably, Milton was represented by Brad Bondi, the brother of Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The President rebuffed any premonition of wrongdoing by noting that Milton had been treated “very unfair” and that, crucially, “he supported Trump.”
The Big Picture: Another delivery-related ne’er-do-well looks to be getting the presidential treatment as well. Andrew Wiederhorn, who runs fast food chain Fatburger and FAT Brands, has been battling charges like wire fraud and that he concealed $47 million in pay. That problem looks to be going away, as the White House just fired the DOJ prosecutor working the case. Much of this country’s prosperity can be tied to seemingly uncontroversial concepts like due process, the separation of powers, impartial application of the rule of law, freedom of speech, the right to an attorney that can mount a proper and fair defense… oh well!
A Few Good Links
Zepto raises $200M via secondary sale. Instacart’s Caper Carts and courier network to offer live tracking of in-store inventory. Instacart expands advertising to Caper Carts, partners with Hy-Vee RedMedia. Drone deliverer Manna raises $30M. Grubhub pushes back on taxes in MA and MD. Yum Brands’ CEO stepping down. Dutch Bros turbocharges expansion plans. UPS closing Kansas facilities. Uber and DoorDash lobby for inclusion in boneheaded “no tax on tips” legislation. Papa Johns renews credit facility. Chipotle gives out free burritos. Deliveroo integrates Morrisons More grocery loyalty system. DHL turns to Cargo Cycling. Harbinger alleges Canoo hides assets in banktpucy sale. Chime preps for IPO. Volvo Trucks North America lays off ~350 from VA plant, guess those tariffs aren’t working so well. Bolt adds flight tracking and dispatching integration. Toast teams up with Keith Lee. iFood shares pay transparency report. Amazon launches in Ireland.
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