首席商业评论·2025-11-14 04:33Core Viewpoint - The article compares the business models and market dynamics of DoorDash and Meituan, highlighting how different market environments lead to distinct operational strategies and financial outcomes for each company [5][23]. Group 1: Market Positioning - DoorDash has a market share of 17% in the U.S. food delivery sector, while Meituan dominated with a 60% share in China during 2018 [5]. - As of Q1 2024, Meituan's total order volume was approximately seven times that of DoorDash, and its monthly active users were about eleven times higher [5]. - Despite these figures, DoorDash's market capitalization once reached 1.5 times that of Meituan, indicating a significant valuation difference influenced by market conditions [5][23]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The U.S. food delivery market is characterized by "dislocated monopoly," where players like DoorDash focus on specific niches, such as suburban markets, while Meituan faces intense competition in urban areas [6][9]. - DoorDash has successfully targeted suburban households, where the average order value is 30% higher than in urban areas, leading to a 65% repurchase rate [15][16]. - The delivery model of DoorDash, which employs a large number of part-time workers, has allowed it to maintain lower delivery costs compared to Meituan, which relies on full-time riders [35][36]. Group 3: Business Strategies - DoorDash's strategy includes offering a membership service (DashPass) that contributes 12% to its revenue and providing targeted advertising for merchants, making its business model more profitable [18]. - In contrast, Meituan's delivery costs exceed its revenue from delivery services, leading to losses on each order delivered [35]. - The operational flexibility of DoorDash's gig economy model allows it to adapt quickly to market demands, while Meituan's model is constrained by the need for reliable delivery times in a competitive urban environment [39]. Group 4: Regulatory and Social Factors - The differences in labor regulations between the U.S. and China significantly impact the operational strategies of DoorDash and Meituan, with DoorDash benefiting from a more flexible gig economy [24][30]. - In the U.S., independent contractors can work across multiple platforms, enhancing their income potential, while Meituan's model requires more stringent control over its workforce [30][39]. - The cultural attitudes towards tipping and delivery fees also differ, with U.S. consumers more accustomed to paying delivery fees and tipping, which supports DoorDash's business model [36].