Yesterday, DoorDash joined Austin Mayor Kirk Watson to support Austin Flavor Fest, the company’s online, restaurant-week style occasion. The $6 million campaign is spread across six cities and features more than 2,400 local storefronts, including Veracruz All Natural. Flavor Fest runs through August 23, giving consumers a chance to discover new neighborhood favorites while earning rewards for supporting local restaurants.
Flavor Fest is part of DoorDash’s Unlocking Main Street Agenda, DoorDash's national initiative to support local businesses. Mayor Watson has long been a champion for local businesses, earning praise for bringing different political factions together around transformative economic development initiatives, and previously serving as Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
“Austin’s local restaurants are the heart of our city – they’re gathering places that bring people together and are the backbone of the economy. Flavor Fest gives Austinites an opportunity to discover a new favorite spot and support the small businesses and hardworking people who make our food scene one of the best in the country, and we’re grateful to DoorDash for choosing Austin," said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.
“Austin’s local restaurants are at the heart of what makes this city such a special place, and Flavor Fest is about helping more people discover and support the businesses that make our neighborhoods thrive. As a Texas native, I’m especially proud to bring this program home and invest in the restaurants and entrepreneurs who have helped build Austin’s world-class food scene,” said John Horton, Head of North America Public Policy at DoorDash.
“Texas restaurants are an important part of our state’s economy and the communities they serve, from family-owned establishments on Main Street to some of our most recognized institutions. DoorDash’s Flavor Fest is a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of Texas’ restaurant industry and the entrepreneurs and small businesses behind it. The Texas Association of Business is proud to have DoorDash as a member and to support their work to help local businesses grow, reach new customers and share the best of Texas with a broader audience,” said Gabriela von zur Muehlen, Senior Vice President & Chief Policy Officer at the Texas Association of Business.
Summer can be one of the hardest seasons for local restaurants, with heat waves, vacation travel, and seasonal slowdowns all pulling some customers away from the neighborhood spots they love. Flavor Fest helps by showcasing the best of each city’s neighborhood restaurants, encouraging consumers to shop local and support local businesses.
The Unlocking Main Street policy blueprint includes specific, proven policies like “First Year Free” that waive fees for new businesses and shot-clock permitting that pushes governments to act in days instead of months. We estimate these reforms could unlock as much as $10 billion in savings through fee and fine reductions for small businesses and increased sales for restaurants by reducing permit delays.
DoorDash piloted Flavor Fest earlier this year in the Washington, D.C. area, where Flavor Fest featured more than 300 local storefronts backed by a $700,000 DoorDash investment. The result: 196,000 residents enjoyed new and favorite dishes, and participating store locations saw more than 20% week-over-week growth in orders during launch week.
How Flavor Fest Works
Participating restaurants will be featured in a dedicated Flavor Fest section of the DoorDash app, making it easy for consumers to discover local spots they may have never tried.
Consumers will receive 30% off orders of $15 or more from any participating restaurant (up to $8 off) through August 23.
DoorDash is also bringing back the Order Local Challenge, which rewards consumers for supporting multiple local spots; ordering from local restaurants can unlock 40% off or more on your next order.
To find participating restaurants near you, open the DoorDash app and look for the Flavor Fest section.
