The convenience of ordering food, groceries, and retail products has transformed how people shop and dine. With the rise of delivery services, customers have come to expect not just fast service but also flexible payment options that fit their financial situations. Recognizing this, DoorDash has entered into a new partnership with Klarna, a company known for its buy-now-pay-later services.
This partnership will allow customers in the United States to pay for their purchases through Klarna’s payment plans, giving them more control over how and when they complete their transactions. While this move adds flexibility for many consumers, some financial experts warn that buy-now-pay-later services can encourage overspending and debt accumulation.
DoorDash is one of the largest food delivery and local commerce platforms in the country, offering delivery from restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers. Klarna, a Swedish company that has expanded worldwide, specializes in payment solutions that let customers split their purchases into smaller installments or defer payments. By teaming up, these two companies aim to make it easier for customers to shop on DoorDash without worrying about immediate full payments. This option may appeal to those who want to budget their spending or need a little more time before making payments.
John, the name of the company is DoorDash. Through a partnership with Klarna, they’ve just unlocked interest-free structured liquidity for high-frequency sustenance transactions. You can finance a carne asada burrito over 4 easy payments, or even defer the charge until payday. https://t.co/VUFounWDTq pic.twitter.com/fzS2iV0RzX
— Adam Singer (@AdamSinger) March 20, 2025
Through this partnership, customers will see Klarna as an available payment method at checkout when they order from DoorDash’s platform. They will have three options: paying the full amount immediately, splitting the cost into four equal payments without interest, or delaying the payment until a later date that aligns with their financial schedule. This approach is designed to cater to different spending habits and financial situations, allowing more people to use DoorDash’s services without worrying about immediate financial constraints.
Me tipping the DoorDash driver $150 cuz it’s on Klarna’s tab pic.twitter.com/oo05X2sHWM
— Phella (@iamphella) March 20, 2025
However, while flexible payment options can be helpful, they can also contribute to financial challenges if not used carefully. Buy-now-pay-later services have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among younger consumers who prefer not to use credit cards.
People would rather klarna their DoorDash than make themselves a bowl of rice and chicken omg https://t.co/3clDywJz7F
— Olaromola🇳🇬 (@abike1999) March 20, 2025
According to recent reports, the use of these services surged during the holiday shopping season, with more consumers choosing to delay payments for purchases ranging from electronics to household goods. While these services do not charge interest when payments are made on time, they can lead to unexpected financial burdens if consumers fail to meet their installment deadlines.
people judging and getting mad at the klarna and doordash partnership are just showing their elitism and classism pic.twitter.com/YAvwN203gR
— luna ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ (@ce1esbian) March 20, 2025
Experts in consumer finance and behavioral economics have expressed concerns about the long-term effects of buy-now-pay-later services on spending habits. These services can make it easier for people to buy items they might not otherwise afford, leading to impulse spending.
Sorry girl, I can’t go out tonight. Klarna just took out the rest of my 4 for 4 from doordash pic.twitter.com/VEhsejXF6V
— Ichigo Niggasake (@SomaKazima) March 21, 2025
Some researchers believe that the psychological effect of separating the act of purchasing from the act of paying can cause consumers to spend more than they intend. This could be particularly concerning in the case of DoorDash, where people may end up financing everyday purchases like food deliveries, something that traditionally wouldn’t be considered a major expense requiring financing.
Klarna has been expanding its reach into various sectors, including retail, technology, and now food delivery. The company recently filed a prospectus ahead of its planned initial public offering (IPO) and announced that Walmart would be using its services as well. Klarna operates in 26 countries and has millions of active users worldwide, making it a dominant player in the buy-now-pay-later industry. Its partnership with DoorDash signals its ambition to expand into more everyday spending categories beyond traditional retail.
Now hold on a second… you’re telling me you’ve got thirteen thousand dollars… in DoorDash orders… financed on Klarna? pic.twitter.com/RLPHueIKrP
— James K. Monroe (@jameskmonroe) March 20, 2025
Just tipped my doordash driver with klarna. So he’ll be getting paid $1 a week until i pay it off. pic.twitter.com/Ci441VHcoQ
— Stass ✧♥︎ (@4ngelxox) March 21, 2025
Saw that doordash and klarna are enabling installment payments for dinner now.
We’re at the wimpy-from-popeye stage of the debt slavery economy. pic.twitter.com/90h3IG5dmA
— RetailStock (@StockRetail) March 20, 2025
DoorDash has also been broadening its services, moving beyond restaurant delivery to include groceries, household goods, and beauty products. The company’s DashPass subscription service, which offers discounts and perks, will also be available for purchase through Klarna’s payment options. This means that customers can now finance their annual DashPass memberships, spreading the cost over time rather than paying upfront.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been monitoring the rise of buy-now-pay-later services and has recently classified them in the same category as credit cards. This means that companies offering these services must provide consumer protections such as dispute resolution and refunds for returned items. The CFPB’s move indicates growing concerns over how these services impact consumer debt levels and financial stability.
Despite the risks, Klarna and DoorDash argue that their partnership is about providing more choices to consumers. They believe that offering flexible payment options can make DoorDash’s services more accessible to a wider range of customers, including those who may need a little extra time to pay for their purchases.
Klarna’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Sykes, described the partnership as an important step in expanding payment solutions for everyday spending. He emphasized that Klarna’s goal is to make shopping more convenient, whether customers are ordering groceries, takeout, or other essentials.
DoorDash’s Head of Money Products, Anand Subbarayan, also highlighted the importance of flexibility in payment methods. He pointed out that as DoorDash continues to expand its offerings beyond food delivery, it is essential to provide customers with different ways to pay. He noted that Klarna’s payment solutions align with the company’s mission to enhance customer convenience.
While the partnership between DoorDash and Klarna may benefit many customers, financial experts urge consumers to be cautious when using buy-now-pay-later services. These options can be helpful when used responsibly, but they can also lead to financial stress if not managed properly. Consumers should carefully assess their budgets and avoid relying on deferred payments for everyday expenses like food delivery.
The impact of buy-now-pay-later services on consumer behavior is still being studied, but early research suggests that they can encourage higher spending and lead to greater financial commitments than anticipated. As these services continue to expand into new industries, regulators and financial analysts will likely continue to examine their effects on household budgets and debt levels.
