Eat now — pay later.
DoorDash is partnering with Klarna — the buy now, pay later company — to offer customers the opportunity to finance their food and other retail purchases.
In the coming months, when customers check out, they will be able to choose a payment option when purchasing groceries, other retail goods and the DashPass Annual Plan on DoorDash.com or through the app, according to a press release.
Payment options will include paying in full, in four equal interest-free installments or “pay later,” which allows customers to “defer payments to a more convenient time, such as a date that aligns with their paycheck schedules.”
“As we expand DoorDash’s offerings — from groceries and beauty to electronics and gifts — flexible payment options are essential to meeting our customers’ needs,” Anand Subbarayan, head of money products at DoorDash, said in a statement.
Payment deferrals for food purchases are becoming more common. Doordash rival Grubhub already offers the choice.
The move comes as food and grocery prices are skyrocketing and Americans are finding themselves in more debt.
“Our partnership with DoorDash marks an important milestone in Klarna’s expansion into everyday spending categories. By offering smarter, more flexible payment solutions for groceries, takeout and retail essentials, we’re making convenience even more accessible for millions of Americans,” said David Sykes, chief commercial officer of Klarna.
The collaboration could assist those who rely on delivery services, some supporters say.
“People on disability and other forms of assistance use DoorDash for their weekly & monthly groceries. This is probably helpful for them,” one person commented on TikTok.
“This sounds useful for groceries, especially for people who don’t have a vehicle or don’t live near grocery stores,” another chimed in.
Another pointed out that using Klarna is similar to charging something on a credit card.
However, some people have been quick to point out what they find to be absurd.
“When DoorDash is offering you a payment plan, something’s going terribly wrong,” content creator Matt Buechele said in a TikTok video. “If you have to finance your burrito bowl, it doesn’t scream golden age of prosperity.”
“I know grocery prices are getting higher and everyone’s struggling, but if you have a four-installment payment plan for a McFlurry, you’ve lost the plot, my friend,” he added.
“Y’all about to Klarna McDonald’s. Lord get help,” someone quipped on X.
“What do you mean you have $11k in ‘doordash debt,’” another joked.
“I finally finished paying off my Starbucks drink from last year so this is perfect,” one wrote.
“If you need Klarna to order food, you shouldn’t be ordering food,” someone pointed out.
Klarna responded to the backlash with a blog post titled “Convenience Shouldn’t Cost,” clarifying what the service is for and explaining that Klarna can be used on DoorDash for purchases over $35 — s,o no, you can’t finance your burrito bowl.
“Today, news of our partnership with DoorDash sparked a conversation about using credit to buy food. This is an important discussion and we very much welcome it,” the company wrote in the blog post.
“This partnership is an opportunity to empower customers with maximum choice and control over how they pay,” it read. “People should pay with money they have whenever possible. But when credit is needed, it’s important to choose a smarter, more responsible option.”
