Introduction: The Gig Economy’s Hidden Truths

The gig economy has become one of the defining labour shifts of the 21st century. Platforms like Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and DoorDash promise flexibility, independence, and quick earnings. But beneath the glossy marketing lies a complex financial reality that many influencers—like YouTuber Mr. Betonyou—don’t fully explain.

DoorDash, one of the largest food delivery platforms in the world, reported $10.72 billion in revenue in 2024. At the same time, more than 8 million people worked as couriers (Dashers). On the surface, those numbers look impressive. But when you dig deeper, the math doesn’t add up to a sustainable model for providing full employee-style benefits to millions of workers. That’s the part Mr. Betonyou won’t tell you.

DoorDash’s 2024 Financial Snapshot

To understand the scale of the issue, let’s start with the numbers:

• Revenue: $10.72 billion in 2024, up 24% from the previous year.
• Gross Order Value (GOV): Over $80 billion worth of food and goods delivered.
• Dasher Earnings: More than $18 billion collectively paid out to couriers.
• Profitability: DoorDash reported its first full year of positive net income in 2024.

These figures sound enormous, but remember: revenue is not profit. DoorDash spends heavily on marketing, technology, customer support, and logistics. By the time expenses are deducted, the margin is thin. That’s why the company only recently turned profitable.

The Scale of the Workforce

DoorDash’s 8 million Dashers represent one of the largest gig workforces in the world. But here’s the catch: most of them are not full-time workers.

• Many Dashers deliver only a few hours per week.
• Some use DoorDash as a side hustle, supplementing income from other jobs.
• A smaller percentage rely on it as their primary source of income.

This diversity of participation is exactly why DoorDash classifies Dashers as independent contractors. The company argues that flexibility is incompatible with traditional employment structures. If Dashers were employees, DoorDash would need to provide benefits like health insurance, paid leave, and retirement contributions—costs that could easily overwhelm its revenue.

Why Benefits Would Break the Model

Let’s do some rough math.

📊 The Cost of Benefits: A Numerical Breakdown

Here’s a simplified estimate of what benefits might cost DoorDash if every Dasher were treated like a full-time employee:

Sources: Industry averages for employer-sponsored benefits in the U.S.

🚨 Comparing to DoorDash’s Revenue

• DoorDash’s 2024 revenue: $10.72 billion
• Estimated cost of full benefits: $108 billion

That’s 10 times DoorDash’s total revenue. Even if only half of Dashers worked regularly, the cost would still be around $54 billion, five times higher than revenue.

This illustrates why DoorDash and other gig platforms insist on keeping workers classified as independent contractors. The economics simply don’t support full benefits at this scale.

The Flexibility vs. Security Debate

Supporters of the gig model argue that flexibility is the main attraction. Dashers can log in whenever they want, work for a few hours, and log off. No boss, no fixed schedule. For many, this freedom outweighs the lack of benefits.

Critics, however, point out that flexibility often comes at the expense of security. Dashers bear the costs of their own vehicles, fuel, and insurance. They have no safety net if they get sick or injured. And while DoorDash touts billions in earnings, many Dashers report low hourly pay once expenses are factored in.

This tension—between flexibility and security—is at the heart of the gig economy debate. It’s also the part Mr. Betonyou glosses over when he paints DoorDash as a simple path to financial independence.

California’s Prop 22: A Hybrid Approach

In 2020, California voters passed Proposition 22, a law that carved out a special status for gig workers. Under Prop 22:

• Dashers remain independent contractors.
• They receive limited benefits, such as health stipends and accident insurance.
• Companies avoid the full costs of employee classification.

This compromise highlights the difficulty of balancing flexibility with fairness. It offers some protections without dismantling the gig model entirely. But it also leaves many workers without the comprehensive benefits traditional employees enjoy.

The Illusion of Scale

One of the most misleading aspects of DoorDash’s success story is the illusion created by big numbers.

• $10.72 billion in revenue sounds massive.
• 8 million Dashers sounds like a thriving workforce.

But when you divide revenue by the number of workers, the picture changes. On average, DoorDash generated about $1,340 per Dasher in revenue in 2024. That’s not nearly enough to cover wages, benefits, and operating costs.

This is why DoorDash emphasizes Gross Order Value (GOV) instead of net revenue. GOV makes the business look bigger, but most of that money goes to restaurants and couriers, not DoorDash itself.

What Mr Betonyou Won’t Tell You

Influencers like Mr. Betonyou often focus on the upside: quick cash, flexible hours, and the thrill of being your own boss. But here’s what they don’t tell you:

1. Revenue ≠ Profit: DoorDash’s billions don’t translate into endless resources for benefits.
2. Scale is misleading: 8 million Dashers sounds empowering, but it dilutes the revenue per worker.
3. Benefits are unsustainable: Full employee benefits would require revenue ten times higher than current levels.
4. Flexibility comes at a cost: Dashers trade security for independence, often without realizing the long-term risks.
5. Hybrid models are imperfect: Laws like Prop 22 offer partial solutions but leave many gaps.

By leaving out these realities, influencers create a narrative that doesn’t match the economic truth.

The Future of Gig Work

The debate over gig worker benefits isn’t going away. As the gig economy grows, pressure will mount for companies to provide more protections. Possible futures include:

• Hybrid models: More states may adopt Prop 22-style compromises.
• Tiered benefits: Workers who log more hours could qualify for partial benefits.
• Platform diversification: Companies may expand into new services to boost revenue.
• Automation: Long-term, delivery robots and drones could reduce reliance on human couriers.

Each path comes with trade-offs. But one thing is clear: the current model cannot easily support full benefits for millions of part-time workers.

Conclusion: The Reality Behind the Hype

DoorDash’s $10.72 billion revenue and 8 million Dashers make for impressive headlines. But the economics of gig work reveal a fragile balance between flexibility and sustainability. Providing full benefits to all Dashers would require revenue far beyond current levels.

This is the truth that YouTuber Mr. Beton won’t tell you. The gig economy isn’t a shortcut to wealth—it’s a trade-off between independence and security. Understanding that trade-off is essential for anyone considering gig work as a serious source of income.