Court Narrowed the Case, Pushed Parties Toward Resolution
In September 2024, U.S. District Judge Jeremy Daniel trimmed the case, ruling that alleged municipal-code violations older than two years were time-barred. He then paused proceedings to give the parties time to negotiate. By Sept. 17, both sides told the court they had reached an agreement in principle.
DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats have faced similar legal actions around the country. Chicago previously settled with Uber Eats and Postmates for $10 million in December 2022 over related emergency fee-cap violations and advertising issues.
City Hails Victory; DoorDash Says Allegations Are Outdated
Mayor Johnson called the settlement a win for restaurants, workers and consumers.
“This settlement shows Chicago’s commitment to a fair marketplace,” Johnson said. “Our hospitality industry thrives only when workers are respected, companies follow the rules, and consumers get honest pricing.”
DoorDash, in a statement, said the agreement reflects a desire to move forward, not wrongdoing.
“We’re pleased to have settled a years-old lawsuit with the city of Chicago,” a spokesperson said. “This is not an admission of wrongdoing, and the practices examined in the lawsuit no longer exist. We’re ready to move on and stay focused on improving the experience for merchants, customers and Dashers.”
