Legal & Terms

1. Terms of Service

By creating an account or using DineDash, you agree to these terms. DineDash (“we”, “us”) operates an online marketplace that connects independent home cooks (“Cooks”) with customers (“Customers”) who wish to purchase home-prepared food. DineDash is a platform only. We do not prepare, cook, package, handle, deliver, inspect, or sell any food, and we are not a party to the transaction between a Cook and a Customer.

You must be 18 or older to use DineDash. You agree to provide accurate information, to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws (including cottage-food, food-handler, tax, and licensing laws), and to use the platform respectfully. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or community standards.

Cooks are independent operators, not employees, partners, agents, or representatives of DineDash. Cooks set their own menus, prices, ingredients, preparation methods, locations, and availability. Customers are responsible for reviewing each listing — including allergens, ingredients, and pickup details — before placing an order.

Payments are processed through third-party providers (e.g., Stripe). Refunds for declined or canceled orders are issued in full. Disputes between Cooks and Customers should first be resolved directly; DineDash may, at its sole discretion, mediate or issue refunds as a courtesy.

2. Privacy Policy

We collect the information you provide when you create an account, list a plate, place an order, or message another user — including your name, email, phone number, address, profile photo, and order history. We use this information to operate the platform, process payments, send order updates, prevent fraud, and improve the service.

We share information only as needed to provide the service: with the other party in a transaction (e.g., sharing pickup addresses after a Cook accepts an order), with service providers (payments, SMS, email, mapping, hosting), and where required by law. We do not sell your personal information.

You may request access, correction, or deletion of your account data at any time by emailing privacy@dinedash.io. Some records (such as completed transactions) may be retained as required for tax, accounting, or legal purposes.

3. Food Safety Disclaimer

All food sold through DineDash is prepared by independent Cooks in their own home kitchens. DineDash does not prepare, inspect, test, certify, or guarantee any food sold through the platform. We do not verify ingredient sourcing, kitchen cleanliness, storage temperatures, cross-contamination controls, or compliance with cottage-food laws beyond information voluntarily provided by Cooks.

Allergens: Cooks are asked to disclose common allergens, but home kitchens routinely handle peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame. Cross-contact is possible even when an allergen is not listed. If you have a food allergy, intolerance, or medical dietary restriction, do not rely on the platform — contact the Cook directly and use your own judgment, or do not order.

Higher-risk groups: Pregnant people, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems should be especially cautious when consuming food prepared in uninspected kitchens.

By placing an order, you acknowledge these risks and agree that DineDash is not responsible for food quality, freshness, safety, allergic reactions, foodborne illness, or any other harm resulting from food prepared by Cooks on the platform.

4. Limitation of Liability

The platform is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, DineDash, its officers, employees, and affiliates are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages — including personal injury, illness, allergic reaction, death, property damage, lost profits, or emotional distress — arising out of or related to: (a) food purchased, prepared, or consumed through the platform; (b) the acts or omissions of any Cook or Customer; (c) your use of, or inability to use, the platform; or (d) any content posted by users.

In no event will DineDash's total liability to you for all claims exceed the greater of the amount you paid to DineDash in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim, or USD $100.

You agree to indemnify and hold DineDash harmless from any claims, losses, or damages — including reasonable attorneys' fees — arising from your use of the platform, your violation of these terms, or, if you are a Cook, from food you prepare and sell through the platform.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability, so portions of this section may not apply to you. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.