DoorDash has announced a significant expansion of its Canadian grocery operations through a new partnership with Empire Company Limited. The agreement brings more than 1,000 stores across 10 provinces onto the DoorDash marketplace, reflecting the rapid growth of the grocery category within the platform’s regional ecosystem.
The expansion includes 12 distinct grocery banners from the Empire family of brands, such as Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Farm Boy, and Longo’s. Additionally, the deal encompasses convenience-focused banners including Needs, Boni-Soir, and Voisin, providing consumers with a wide range of fulfilment options.
National Expansion Across Ten Provinces
With the inclusion of Empire Company Limited, DoorDash now maintains partnerships with four of the five largest grocery companies in Canada based on reported sales figures. This scale allows the platform to serve a vast geographic area, providing coast-to-coast coverage and strengthening its competitive position in the local commerce sector.
Mike Goldblatt, Vice President of Enterprise Business Development and Partnerships at DoorDash, stated that the partnership is designed to address increasing time pressures faced by Canadian consumers. By offering on-demand delivery for both full weekly shops and immediate meal needs, the collaboration aims to make everyday shopping more accessible.
Accelerated Demand for On-Demand Essentials
The move comes amid a measurable shift in consumer behaviour toward digital grocery adoption. In December 2025, DoorDash reported that 25% of its monthly active users in Canada engaged with non-restaurant categories, including grocery, convenience, and retail.
Mohit Grover, Senior Vice President of eCommerce at Empire Company Limited, noted that partnering with local commerce platforms allows the company to extend the reach of its banners. The strategy is intended to complement the traditional in-store experience while meeting the evolving expectations of a digitally native consumer base.
Operational Capabilities and Delivery Speed
To support the logistical demands of high-volume grocery delivery, the partnership focuses on a high-density inventory model. Key operational metrics include:
Item Selection: Consumers can access an average of nearly 10,000 items per store, spanning fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials.
Delivery Efficiency: In Canada’s five largest cities, grocery orders via DoorDash are delivered in under 60 minutes on average from the time of order to drop-off.
Geographic Reach: The rollout covers 10 provinces, ensuring a consistent service level for Empire’s diverse family of brands.
Brand Integration and Consumer Tools
As part of the launch, DoorDash is integrating lifestyle-oriented content to drive engagement within the grocery category. The platform has collaborated with culinary creator Sylvia Nguyen to provide practical weeknight recipes that utilise overlapping ingredients.
This initiative is designed to help households manage grocery budgets and simplify meal planning, further embedding the delivery service into the consumer’s routine food management. By combining functional delivery speed with value-added content, the partnership seeks to drive long-term retention in the increasingly competitive on-demand grocery space.
.png)
