Paying for Takeout in Installments? DoorDash & Klarna Team Up
Published: March 26th, 2025.
Eat now, pay later? It’s happening.
DoorDash announced they’re teaming up with Klarna, the popular “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) platform, to let U.S. customers split their payments on everything from groceries to gadgets—even their DashPass subscriptions. Starting soon, when you’re checking out on the DoorDash app or website, you’ll see Klarna as a payment option. You can:
- Pay in full (like always)
- Pay in 4 (split the bill into four equal, interest-free payments)
- Pay later (delay the whole thing until payday)
On the surface, this is a smart partnership. Klarna has been helping people spread costs on everything from electronics to home goods. Now, it’s bringing that flexibility to food, groceries, and retail items through DoorDash. This breathing room can be a lifeline for people managing tight budgets or living paycheck to paycheck.
Klarna says this partnership is all about “making convenience more accessible,” DoorDash says it aligns with how their platform expands beyond restaurants into everyday shopping.
It’s easy to see the appeal. But also… is this a little too much convenience?
If you’ve ever hesitated to place an order because of a tight financial week, Klarna could offer a helpful workaround. Spacing out payments for a grocery run or a DashPass membership might take some pressure off. And unlike credit cards, Klarna doesn’t charge interest if you make timely payments.
For some people, this is another smart tool in the budgeting toolkit—especially when used on essential purchases.
Still, experts are raising a few eyebrows. What happens when a tool for big purchases gets used for burgers?
That’s the concern: turning everyday takeout into a short-term loan might sound harmless, but over time, it can lead to overspending. If you start splitting $40 purchases into four payments repeatedly, losing track of how much you owe is surprisingly easy.
And if you miss a payment? Klarna charges late fees. If that fee hits your account with a low balance, your bank may charge overdraft fees. Suddenly, your budget-friendly burger just costs you $20 more than expected.
Additionally, the growing trend of "buy now, pay later" for small, frequent purchases implies that more individuals may grapple with daily expenses. While flexible payment options can provide short-term relief, they might also indicate that people are leaning on credit just to get through the week.
Still, it’s important to note that BNPL is not inherently harmful. Used responsibly, it can be a useful budgeting tool. For someone splitting a $200 grocery order across paychecks, this could be a strategic choice that avoids credit card interest or late bill payments.
Klarna has also emphasized that this feature will only be available for purchases above $35, adding a layer of friction that may discourage impulse use.
Ultimately, it all depends on how it is used. For planned purchases, this could be helpful and strategic. However, if you’re using it on non-essentials, like late-night cravings or extra treats, consider whether it’s worth turning into a multi-week commitment.
This partnership isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s just a new tool. But, like any financial tool, it depends on how and why you use it. The key is knowing the trade-offs, staying aware of your budget, and making choices that help your future self because sometimes, the real convenience is having control, not just options.