This guide explains how Checkmate connects your DoorDash account with your POS system, what to expect during setup, how orders flow, common issues you might encounter, and how to resolve them.

How Checkmate + DoorDash Integration Works

Checkmate acts as a middleware platform that connects your DoorDash online ordering account directly to your POS system. Once integrated:

• Orders from DoorDash are automatically injected into your POS.
• Menu data can sync between your POS and DoorDash.
• Manual order confirmation on DoorDash tablets is no longer required.
• Scheduled orders are injected into the POS at the appropriate time.
• Checkmate standardizes menu and order flow across multiple delivery platforms.

This integration reduces tablet dependency, manual data entry, and operational errors, allowing staff to focus more on in-store service.

Onboarding and Activation

The DoorDash integration process typically includes:

• Authorization: In the Checkmate Portal, authorize Checkmate to access your DoorDash account via a secure link. Learn how to go live with your DoorDash integration here.
• Menu Pull and Mapping: Checkmate retrieves your DoorDash menu and maps it accurately to your POS menu.
• Activation: After successful setup, orders will flow directly into your POS.
• Typical activation timeline: Immediately after self-authorization.

Managing Orders Post-Integration

• Orders automatically appear in your POS.
• Manual confirmation on the DoorDash tablet is no longer needed.
• The tablet may still show orders for reference, but will not require action.

Menu and Pricing Updates

Checkmate simplifies menu management in two possible ways: Direct Sync POS:

• Menu updates made in your POS automatically sync to DoorDash via Checkmate.
• Supported elements include items, modifiers, availability, and hours.
• Instant item price sync or price elevation if applicable.
• Mark items sold out directly from the POS, and your ordering platforms will be updated within 5 minutes.

Legacy POS: If your POS is not Direct-Sync, you will need to make changes manually in the Checkmate Portal and then push those changes to the ordering platforms. You do NOT need to update menus in the DoorDash Merchant Portal. Learn how to manage menu updates here.

Handling Special Instructions

• Special instructions entered by DoorDash customers are transmitted with orders.
• Checkmate passes these notes into your POS if they are supported.
• Editing or disabling special instructions must be handled through DoorDash directly.

Live Order Management

• View and manage DoorDash orders in real time through the Checkmate Portal.
• Contact customers or Dashers directly via the interface.
• Accessible for one hour after order placement.

Learn more about Live Order Management here.

Self-Delivery Option

• If you use your own delivery drivers, you can enable DoorDash Self-Delivery to manage customer orders while handling fulfillment in-house.

Setup Requirements:

• Notify Checkmate during onboarding so the integration is configured correctly.
• Activate Self-Delivery in the DoorDash Merchant Portal.
• Set your delivery radius and fees according to your operations.

Learn more about DoorDash Self-Delivery here.

Scheduled Orders Handling

• DoorDash sends scheduled orders to Checkmate closer to the pickup time based on your configured prep time.
• For example, if your prep time is set to 30 minutes, DoorDash will release the order to Checkmate 30 minutes before the scheduled delivery.
• Checkmate does not hold or delay these orders — they are immediately passed into your POS once received.

Learn more about how scheduled orders are handled here. You can configure prep time using one of the following methods:

• Set a Fixed Kitchen Prep Time
• Use Dynamic Prep Time

Alcohol Orders

Eligibility and Setup

Alcohol delivery through DoorDash is available only in approved jurisdictions. Merchants must comply with all local, state, and federal laws related to alcohol sales and delivery. View DoorDash's Alcohol Delivery Eligibility and Requirements here.

To enable alcohol delivery via DoorDash, merchants must:

1. Reside in an eligible state or market: DoorDash only supports alcohol delivery in certain states and municipalities. Check availability in your area using the link above.
2. Agree to the DoorDash Alcohol Addendum: This legal agreement outlines responsibilities for ID checks, age verification, and local compliance.
3. Complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification via Stripe: This is part of DoorDash’s payment processing setup and includes verifying your identity, business entity, and bank details.
4. Tag alcoholic items correctly in the DoorDash Menu Editor: Each alcohol item must be clearly labeled to ensure proper handling by Dashers and compliance with ID verification rules. Learn how to Tag Alcohol Items in Doordash here.

Checkmate Configuration

• Alcohol items must also be tagged or flagged within your POS system so Checkmate can correctly identify and sync them with DoorDash.
• This ensures those items are included in your menu mapping and transmitted correctly via Checkmate’s integration.

Taxes and Fees

• DoorDash collects and remits taxes in states that follow Marketplace Facilitator laws.
• Merchants are responsible for setting up and remitting sales tax in other locations.
• Checkmate does not alter or manage your tax configuration.

Additionally, you can set up various service and delivery fees during the integration process. If you'd like to adjust your payment or dining options later, feel free to contact our team — we're happy to assist.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Additional Tips for a Smooth Integration

• Use the Checkmate Portal to take your location Online or Offline — this will prevent new orders from being received during downtime or unexpected closures.
• Tag sold-out items in your POS (if supported). Checkmate will update your online menus across integrated platforms within 5–10 minutes.
• Ensure your POS remains online. If the system is offline, orders from your delivery platform may not be injected correctly.
• Use Checkmate for menu updates — whether synced directly or managed manually, always submit changes through Checkmate to ensure accurate mapping.
• Scheduled orders are released based on prep time settings in the Checkmate Portal. Orders will appear in your POS just in time for preparation.
• Flag alcohol items in both your POS and delivery platform’s menu editor to ensure compliance and proper injection (if alcohol delivery is enabled).
• Apply price elevation or rounding strategies in Checkmate to maintain profitability on third-party platforms.
• Use Live Order Management in Checkmate to track and act on orders in real-time after injection, where supported.

Additional Resources

• DoorDash Merchant Help Center
• Checkmate Help Center
• Submit a Checkmate Support Request