The Simple Hack That Can Help You Save On Food Delivery

To say that food delivery apps like DoorDash and UberEats have become popular would be an understatement. Reuters reports that the gross order value of DoorDash for 2022 is estimated to be between $49 to $51 billion, while Google Play places UberEats as the third most popular app in its food and drink category, right under DoorDash and McDonald's. The pandemic also did quite a bit to help boost the popularity of delivery apps, allowing people to get their favorite foods even as most dining rooms closed down.

But despite their convenience, there's one drawback that can turn some people away from delivery: the fees. You can order from your local McDonald's, for example, and find yourself paying far more for your order than you usually would. This is not only because of commissioning fees and delivery fees but also because of recent rising food prices (via The Motley Fool). While you may be enjoying your meal in the comfort of your own home, you're also paying a small fortune to do so.

What if there was a way that you could avoid, or at the very least, lessen the blow of those skyrocketing fees? According to some sources, you don't need to think big to try and outrun those heavy fees; you just need to think locally.

You've no doubt heard the term "support small businesses" in recent times. Not only is it not a bad idea to provide some service to your local mom-and-pop restaurant, but it may also help you in the long run, too.

As Nasdaq explains, when you order through a delivery app, both the customer and the restaurant get charged fees. To avoid losing profit from these fees, these restaurants may increase the price of your meal, leaving you with not only the fees but an increased bill to boot. On the contrary, local restaurants that offer delivery directly do not have such fees. You'd not only be avoiding pesky fees and increased prices, but you'd also be supporting your local neighborhood businesses. There is, however, a small drawback of which you should be aware.

"Now in some cases, going directly through a restaurant instead of using a food delivery app could mean having to wait a bit longer for your meal to arrive," explains Nasdaq. "But if you try to order at off-peak times or place an order well ahead of when you usually eat, that may not be an issue."

While ordering local may help you keep your delivery bills down, it may not hurt to brush up on other mistakes you can try and avoid when you order delivery. Plus, you may be able to get healthier options from delivery, too (via Fridge)!