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How to save money on takeout

By 2030, the food delivery app industry is expected to reach $213 billion. While it’s convenient to order takeout, it can also be costly. Here are tips to save on your next night in.

How to save money on takeout

By 2030, the food delivery app industry is expected to reach $213 billion. While it’s convenient to order takeout, it can also be costly. Here are tips to save on your next night in.

We love the convenience that comes from ordering takeout and delivery. So how do we save money doing that before ordering on third party delivery apps? See if you can place *** pickup or delivery order directly through the restaurant. Besides all the fees, even the menu prices on delivery apps tend to be more expensive because of commission structures. So if you can order directly from the restaurant, you'll usually save money. You can also consider your timing. Lunch deals tend to be cheaper. Order. And save that meal for dinner. If you know you order food often, consider credit cards that offer perks. Chase has *** partnership with DoorDash that provides various benefits to eligible cardholders, including complimentary Dash Pass memberships. Multiple American Express cards offer benefits that can be used for Uber Eats orders. They may require activation, so make sure to check your account or call customer service. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also activate Grubhub Plus for free. And finally, consider timing out group orders with friends and coworkers. It's easier to split fees in *** group versus paying them yourself. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lowe.
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Updated: 2:42 PM CDT Aug 14, 2025
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How to save money on takeout

By 2030, the food delivery app industry is expected to reach $213 billion. While it’s convenient to order takeout, it can also be costly. Here are tips to save on your next night in.

vlog logo
Updated: 2:42 PM CDT Aug 14, 2025
Editorial Standards
The food delivery app industry is gaining popularity as more and more consumers opt for food delivery apps rather than ordering pickup. According to the Business of Apps, Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash are leading the way in the U.S. While ordering out is convenient, delivery fees and additional costs add up quickly. Here are tips to save money on your next takeout order. Avoid third-party delivery appsThird-party delivery apps like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash connect restaurants with potential customers, increasing their reach and visibility. While restaurants can benefit, most third-party delivery apps also run on a commission-based fee structure. This means that for deliveries made through the app, restaurants have to pay a fee, typically anywhere from 15-30% of the total cost of each order. To compensate, owners will often raise prices on the delivery app, which means we pay more. To save money, order directly from the restaurant's website or call their phone number to avoid extra costs.Order during lunch hours Most restaurants serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and you can often find lunch specials on their websites or menus. Mondays and Tuesdays are typically slow days, due to multiple factors such as the start of the work week and limited restaurant service. To attract customers, restaurants tend to offer more lunch deals. For example, Buffalo Wild Wings offers BOGO 50% off traditional wings on Tuesdays, and BOGO free boneless wings on Thursdays. Olive Garden offers select pasta dishes ranging from $10.49 to $11.49, available Monday to Friday before 3 p.m. You can also consider going to happy hour if you’re interested in discounted food and alcoholic beverages.Consider credit card perks If you’re someone who orders food often, consider credit card perks. Chase, for instance, has a partnership with DoorDash that provides various benefits to eligible cardholders, including complimentary DashPass memberships and at least one $10 non-restaurant promotion. The frequency of promotions and duration of your free DashPass depends on the type of Chase card you use.Additionally, multiple American Express cards offer benefits that can be used for Uber Eats orders. Some credit card benefits may require activation, so make sure to check your account or call customer service. Look into your subscriptionsIf you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’re in luck. Amazon Prime members are eligible for a free Grubhub+ membership with no expiration date and no Grubhub+ membership fees. Amazon Prime members who use the Grubhub app get access to $0 delivery fees, lower service fees and exclusive savings on eligible Grubhub orders.Go with a group The easiest way to save money on takeout? Order with a group. It’s easier to split the cost than pay by yourself. Plus, if you order in bulk, oftentimes you’ll receive a discount once you pass a certain price.

The food delivery app industry is gaining popularity as more and more consumers opt for food delivery apps rather than ordering pickup. According to the , Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash are leading the way in the U.S. While ordering out is convenient, delivery fees and additional costs add up quickly.

Here are tips to save money on your next takeout order.

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Avoid third-party delivery apps

Third-party delivery apps like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash connect restaurants with potential customers, increasing their reach and visibility. While restaurants can benefit, most third-party delivery apps also run on a commission-based fee structure. This means that for deliveries made through the app, restaurants have to pay a fee, typically anywhere from 15-30% of the total cost of each order.

To compensate, owners will often raise prices on the delivery app, which means we pay more. To save money, order directly from the restaurant's website or call their phone number to avoid extra costs.

Order during lunch hours

Most restaurants serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and you can often find lunch specials on their websites or menus. Mondays and Tuesdays are typically slow days, due to multiple factors such as the start of the work week and limited restaurant service. To attract customers, restaurants tend to offer more lunch deals. For example, offers BOGO 50% off traditional wings on Tuesdays, and BOGO free boneless wings on Thursdays. offers select pasta dishes ranging from $10.49 to $11.49, available Monday to Friday before 3 p.m.

You can also consider going to happy hour if you’re interested in discounted food and alcoholic beverages.

Consider credit card perks

If you’re someone who orders food often, consider credit card perks. Chase, for instance, has a partnership with that provides various benefits to eligible cardholders, including complimentary DashPass memberships and at least one $10 non-restaurant promotion. The frequency of promotions and duration of your free DashPass depends on the type of Chase card you use.

Additionally, multiple cards offer benefits that can be used for Uber Eats orders. Some credit card benefits may require activation, so make sure to check your account or call customer service.

Look into your subscriptions

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’re in luck. Amazon Prime members are eligible for a with no expiration date and no Grubhub+ membership fees. Amazon Prime members who use the Grubhub app get access to $0 delivery fees, lower service fees and exclusive savings on eligible Grubhub orders.

Go with a group

The easiest way to save money on takeout? Order with a group. It’s easier to split the cost than pay by yourself. Plus, if you order in bulk, oftentimes you’ll receive a discount once you pass a certain price.