Part 4/11:
In response to these wages, DoorDash has increased service fees to offset the higher labor costs. The company cites "extreme regulations" as the primary reason for these hikes, which has made Seattle the most expensive delivery market in the country. Average consumer fees are now more than twice those in cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Portland.
Moreover, these regulations have had unintended adverse effects on delivery workers (dashers). According to DoorDash, drivers are receiving half as many delivery opportunities daily compared to before the laws took effect — leading to longer wait times (up to three times longer) and a 20% decrease in average hourly earnings since the end of 2023.