The food industry has gone through significant growth over the past years. One classic example nowadays is how customers can easily order food online and have it delivered to their homes within the shortest time possible.

What was once the domain of fast-food, pizza, and our favorite cuisines from across the world, now you can also order snacks, coffees, and even groceries delivered fresh to your doorsteps, sparing you of the convenience and saves time. The modern-day delivery option includes good old delivery by a person or these crazy alternatives — delivery by robots, pizza drones, and parachutes. Yes, you read it right — a parachute! How crazy is that?

You see, all these digital transformations not only benefit the consumer itself. It also provides jobs where you can make money on your time and own terms. Today, you will learn how.

Even before the pandemic hit, the online delivery rate has been over 20% for the last five years. It shows that the future of online food delivery will continue to boom, providing more side-hustle opportunities for those seeking one and making restaurant owners and entrepreneurs add value and up their sales.

In this post, let's talk about how much do Grubhub drivers make, how to make the most money delivering food at Grubhub, and provide answers to some of questions you have in mind.

So buckle up, and let's get for a ride!

Related reads: How To Make The Most Money As An Instacart Shopper

What is Grubhub?

Grubhub is one of the most popular online food delivery apps in the U.S. It features over 300,000 restaurants and is a partner with 265,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

In 2013, it merged with competing brand, Seamless and since then continued to run both services in cities around the country, with Grubhub becoming the parent brand.

Today, it processes more than 658,000 daily orders and has sent more than $4 billion in total tips to drivers to date. You can check out their website or download the app on Google Play or Apple Store.

How much do Grubhub Drivers Make?

Now, I know why you're here. Of course, you want an answer to the million-dollar question of how much you can earn as a Grubhub driver. Here are all the answers you need.

First of all, you have to know that Grubhub lets you decide which orders to take or not. With this, it can help you strategized on how to maximize your earning potential. They are also transparent with how much you can earn. Earnings vary per order, so you could have an afternoon driving for Grubhub and not make a lot per order, but then take one huge order at the end of your shift that boosts your total pay for that day.

In addition to that, the average pay for a Grubhub driver is $12-$13 per hour. Plus, you get to keep customer's tips 100%. You don't earn a fixed or flat rate pay per hour since your income is based on mileage per order (to pick up and drop off) + time spent on the road + tips + special offers.

How much does Grubhub pay its drivers?

Grubhub pays its drivers through direct deposit. Drivers usually received their payments every Thursday. However, if you want to access your earnings immediately, there is an Instant Cash Out Option with a $0.50 fee. The fee is waived for drivers who set up direct deposit using a Chase bank account. Take note that Grubhub doesn't deduct taxes from your pay as an independent employee, so you have to file for this yourself at the end of the year.

As mentioned, pay varies per delivery, but Grubhub will give you an estimate pay per delivery so you can decide whether to take that order or not. Moreover, consider the distance from your place as the cost of gas and vehicle maintenance is at your end.

Familiarize yourself with your local restaurant spots and bring an insulator for food to keep the food deliveries warm so customers will be satisfied.

In case you have to pay at the restaurant, Grubhub will provide a prepaid card with money for you to use at checkout.

How much can Grubhub Drivers Make with Tips?

Speaking of the tips, you get this all to yourself. That is why many driver hustlers love Grubhub due to its straightforward and transparent payment.

How does Driving for Grubhub Work?

Let me walk you through simple steps on getting started to drive at Grubhub.

Schedule block

Grubhub allows its drivers to accept or decline any order. Although you are not penalized for refusing too many orders, this can affect performance and pay. So, you have to schedule blocks of time in the app before you can drive. The idea is that if drivers schedule hours, they can make sure there is a high enough volume of orders to make it worthwhile to go. In the app, you’ll see which time blocks are available and select the ones you want.

Accept orders

Before you can start accepting orders, you must drive to a predefined delivery area. There is a 90-second window that gives you a chance to see the customer, restaurant location, and estimated earnings before you accept an order or not.

From here, you can start to gear up and ready your warming bags if you accept an order.

Pick-up or Place and Pay

After accepting an order, you must now head over to the restaurant, wait for the food to get served, or pick it up once ready. However, there will be a time when you must be the one to pay beforehand; this is for restaurants that are not partnered with Grubhub yet.

For that, you must use a prepaid Grubhub card that has money on it, pick the order, and go. Do not use your personal card because Grubhub won't reimburse it for you, but better contact them and see their terms and conditions.

Deliver Orders

Now drive and deliver the orders. Don't forget to update the order status on the app so that customers are notified. Also, make sure to read any delivery instructions and follow them accordingly. (tips come not just from generous customers but also from those who got their orders right!)

How to Get the Most Pay Possible as a Grubhub Driver

As an extra treat for you, here are some ways you can maximize your pay as a Grubhub driver.

Only accept deliveries that are worth it.

It makes sense to accept orders that are near your local area, or you know the place. Make sure to remember any entry or exit points, and of course, the parking! Remember, you are not timed in delivering, but the faster you are to move, the better, and more orders to come.

Better if you will be at one place or nearby surrounding areas, but if the estimated payment is not to your liking, you are free to decline and explore or wait for any orders to come up.

For example, an $8 order from Taco Bell will probably going to pay less than a $25 order from a Chinese restaurant.

Choose the most profitable delivery times.

Depending on which area you are in, you may choose to schedule your block during times when there are many orders, like afternoons or late afternoons for people just going for lunch or late snack time. The point is, you are in control of your schedule, whenever you are free, and experiment which blocks are more people are ordering and grab that schedule.

Holidays or bad weather can be a bit busier time, but make sure your fuel is in good condition.

Make Deliveries Fast.

Again, you want to make the most $$$ from the shortest possible time. If you are prompt and follow orders right, you can earn some and get higher tips from customers! Use maps and keep track of your mileage.

Use Reddit for the latest tips & tricks.

You may not know it, but Reddit forums offer tips and tricks to help you get better pay through Grubhub. Usually, people posting and sharing their experiences here are actual drivers, so you can pick up a thing or two, modify and apply it in yourself.

How to become a Grubhub Driver

Grubhub Driver Requirements

If you want to start your Grubhub driving journey, you must:

• Be at least 19 years of age (No previous delivery experience is required)
• Have a valid driver's license and auto insurance
• Have a valid state I.D. or driver's license for bike riders
• Have a smartphone
• Have a car (or bike in select areas)

What to love about delivering for Grubhub

Can't get enough of Grubhub? Here are some things to love with it.

• You can work on your own with no supervision.
• As an independent contractor, you have a flexible shift.
• Weekly pay every Thursday.

What Grubhub Drivers Complain the Most about

Grubhub, like many other delivery platforms, is not perfect. There are other not-so-good stuff too, and here's what most drivers are ranting out.

• No benefits, advancements, and you have to pay your own taxes.
• Competition- other drivers may grab the shifts before you.
• Paycheck is different every week based on Deliveries, Tips, Hourly guarantees.

FAQs

Who pays more, Grubhub or Doordash?

Doordash is another delivery app platform that pays you money for food deliveries. Both Doordash and Grubhub pay an average closer to $15. It always varies in terms of general tips plus how many deliveries you made in a day. Overall, you can sign up for both and earn more!

Is it worth driving for Grubhub?

Yes, Grubhub is worth it. It's free to sign up, and it's a legit side-hustle. Depending on your current life situation, you can make it either your full-time or part-time job.

Does Grubhub Pay for Gas?

Unfortunately, no. Grubhub does not compensate you for your fuel costs and any vehicle maintenance or expenses you encounter.

Can you work with Grubhub without a block?

According to the Grubhub website, you can toggle on to deliver at any time that your market is open, even without a scheduled block. Talk about all the flexibility!

How often do Grubhub Drivers Get paid?

Another plus point for Grubhub is that it pays every week on Thursdays via direct deposit. Usually, it took 3-5 business days for the amount to reflect in your account. Some drivers reported that they received payment on Tuesdays. However, if you want to access your cash immediately, you can opt for instant cash out and pay $0.50 for the transaction fee.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, this gig is not for everyone. Indeed, it is easy money, but it takes a lot of hard work. Sure, you have all the time in the world and work whenever and as much as you can, but you have to factor in those unforeseen costs you might fail to notice.

However, delivering food for Grubhub is undoubtedly an excellent side-hustle even for college students. It is reported that 60% of U.S. consumers order delivery or takeout once a week, which proves that this type of gig is not going away any time soon. So, if you're up for money-making economy gigs, you should try it out!

Have you tried working at Grubhub? How was your experience so far? Mind to tell us your story down below?

We hope you learned in this Grubhub review. If you have any questions, feel free to post them below.