DoorDash has expanded its drone delivery service in the United States through a partnership with Wing, introducing the service to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the first time. The initiative enables eligible customers within approximately four miles of The Arboretum Shopping Center in southern Charlotte to receive orders by drone from select local and national restaurants.
This expansion is part of an ongoing collaboration between DoorDash and Wing, which began in Australia in 2022 and has since extended to parts of Southwest Virginia and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Charlotte launch includes offerings from local establishments such as Curry Junction, Matcha Cafe Maiko, Joa Korean Food, and national chain Panera Bread. For a limited time, customers can order Panera Bread’s mac & cheese via drone delivery for $1 through the DoorDash app.
Drone delivery services in Charlotte are supported by DoorDash Labs, the company’s robotics and automation division, which also oversees partnerships with other autonomous delivery companies including Coco Robotics. DoorDash Labs aims to enhance customer experience, increase demand for merchants, and explore additional earning opportunities for delivery personnel through automation.
According to Wing, North Carolina’s regulatory environment and support from city and state officials have made the state conducive to commercial drone delivery operations. Wing previously launched the first U.S. commercial drone delivery in Virginia in 2019 and expanded to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in 2022.
In addition to food, Charlotte-area customers can now access DashMart by Drone, a service offering drinks, snacks, and over-the-counter medicine. A promotional partnership with local brands such as Life Raft Treats, Appalachia Cookie Co, and Cheerwine offers curated product bundles delivered by drone through DashMart.
Customers eligible for drone delivery will see a drone icon in the DoorDash app and can opt for drone service during checkout if their items meet the required size and weight limits. Real-time tracking is available as the drone approaches the delivery location. Residents can check their eligibility and sign up for updates at wing.com/charlotte.
DoorDash and Wing report having completed tens of thousands of drone deliveries since the start of their partnership and plan to expand drone delivery services to additional neighborhoods later this year.
