Restaurant owners in Chicago have just weeks left to submit their claims for up to $2,500 in direct payments from a DoorDash settlement. This settlement, which resolves allegations that the food delivery service listed restaurants without consent, is part of an agreement reached between DoorDash and the City of Chicago. With the deadline quickly approaching, eligible restaurant owners must act soon to secure their share of the compensation. This article will explain the details of the settlement and the crucial steps needed for restaurant owners to claim their payments.
Chicago Restaurants Must Act Fast to Receive Settlement Payments from DoorDash
As of now, restaurant owners based in Chicago who operate nine or fewer branches under the same name have the opportunity to claim up to $2,500 from DoorDash. The payments are a result of a legal settlement between DoorDash and the City of Chicago. The company is accused of violating local rules by listing restaurants on its platform without securing the proper contracts or obtaining consent.
This settlement applies to businesses that were listed on DoorDash or Caviar marketplaces between August 27, 2019, and November 14, 2025. If a restaurant already has an existing contractual agreement with DoorDash or Caviar, they will not be eligible for the compensation. However, for those businesses affected by this situation, the settlement provides a timely and straightforward way to reclaim financial losses incurred due to these unapproved listings.
The total amount DoorDash is required to pay as part of this settlement remains undisclosed, but the payment to each eligible restaurant could reach up to $2,500, depending on the number of claims submitted. According to The Sun, participate in the settlement, restaurant owners must submit an attestation form that confirms they meet the eligibility requirements. This form must be submitted no later than March 30, 2026. DoorDash plans to distribute the payments by the end of June 2026.
What Led to the DoorDash Settlement?
The DoorDash settlement stems from allegations that the company violated local laws by listing Chicago-based restaurants on its delivery platform without their consent or a formal contract. These violations came to light in a lawsuit filed by the City of Chicago, which aimed to hold DoorDash accountable for its actions.
Despite the allegations, DoorDash has not admitted to any wrongdoing. However, the company chose to settle the case to resolve the claims and avoid prolonged litigation. While the settlement amount has not been publicly disclosed, the arrangement benefits both DoorDash, which avoids further legal complications, and the impacted restaurant owners, who will now have the chance to claim compensation.
Caviar, another food delivery service owned by DoorDash, was also named in the lawsuit. Both companies were found to have listed these restaurants without proper agreements, in violation of Chicago’s regulations for third-party delivery services. The case highlights a growing concern in the food delivery industry regarding transparency and proper business practices between restaurants and delivery platforms.
How to Claim Your Payment: A Step-By-Step Guide
To claim the payment, Chicago restaurant owners must submit a form to confirm their eligibility. This process is simple but critical for receiving compensation. The first step is to determine whether the restaurant meets the criteria set by the settlement. This includes confirming that the restaurant was listed on DoorDash or Caviar without a signed contract during the specified time period.
Once eligibility is confirmed, restaurant owners must fill out an attestation form. This form will ask owners to confirm that their business meets all of the necessary requirements for compensation. The deadline to submit this form is March 30, 2026, so it is important for eligible owners to act quickly.
The amount of compensation each restaurant will receive depends on the number of claims that are submitted. The more claims there are, the smaller the individual payments will be. However, the maximum payout is set at $2,500, which could provide significant relief for small restaurant owners who were affected by this situation.
After the attestation form is submitted, restaurant owners can expect DoorDash to process the claims and distribute payments by the end of June 2026. This gives restaurant owners several months to complete the claim process, but the urgency of the March 30 deadline means that prompt action is necessary.
