Just a few years ago, food delivery services were mostly limited to Chinese food or pizza. But that has changed dramatically since the pandemic. COVID-19 rocketed the food delivery industry as many households began to order food for the first time ever. Platforms like DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats experienced massive growth as the nation went into quarantine. Driving for these services has also become an excellent option for those looking for a part-time job.
Now that people have seen just how easy and convenient it is to order food online, platform-to-consumer apps are still going strong, and they are always looking for qualified workers to fill delivery positions. Are you considering working for a food delivery company? Which one is the best? Can you really make a living delivering food?
This article will discuss six of the best food delivery companies to work for in 2022 and how you can get started.
1. DoorDash
Average Earnings: $20-$25 per hour
DoorDash is by far one of the top delivery services to work for in 2022, primarily because this platform offers excellent earning potential. Currently, wages for couriers are around $20-25 an hour. The platform has a minimum delivery rate, and if you earn less, they will make up the difference. Plus, DoorDash lets you keep all of your tips.
2. Instacart
Average Earnings: $11-$25 per hour
By now, nearly everyone is familiar with Instacart. Founded in 2012 by a former Amazon employee, this company became a household name during lockdown. The platform allows people to create orders with a local supermarket and have them delivered within a specified time frame. Drivers for Instacart need to shop for the orders and deliver them, so it is more time-consuming than DoorDash. However, the additional work can be more lucrative, too. Instacart workers can earn up to $25 per hour, but one of the best things about this service is that you can cash out your earnings instantly, which means it’s a great way to make cash fast.
3. Shipt
Average Earnings: $15-$22 per hour
Similar to Instacart, Shipt pays its drivers to shop and then deliver orders to people’s homes or offices. With Shipt, customers can choose from several retailers, including Target, which owns the platform. That means you could be delivering more than just groceries. Customers can order everything from towels to pet supplies on Shipt, and shoppers can make up to $22 an hour. Some areas even offer sign-up bonuses.
4. Postmates
Average Earnings: $18-$25 per hour
Postmates is a shopping and delivery app owned by Uber, and according to many sources, the pay can be up to $20 or more per hour. Customers can order groceries, restaurant meals, and alcohol through the app. One of the best parts about being a courier for Postmates is that it is not location-specific. If you tend to travel a lot, you can work as a driver in any city where Postmates operates, so it’s ideal for digital nomads. Another pro of this platform is that customers are strongly encouraged to tip after delivery, so you’re liable to earn some even more if you do an excellent job.
5. Grubhub
Average Earnings: $12 per hour
Grubhub is a food delivery service similar to DoorDash. Depending on where a customer lives, the app will display several local restaurants and eateries to choose from. Once a customer places an order, drivers can see the incoming request along with the pickup and drop-off location. In addition, Grubhub couriers can see their total payout (including tip) upfront and choose whether to take the order or not. Although the pay is lower than some of the other food delivery platforms, the consistency makes this one of the best food delivery companies to work for since you will always have a good idea of what you’re going to make.
6. Uber Eats
Average Earnings: $12-$24 per hour
Uber Eats is known as one of the best food delivery services to work for because it integrates perfectly with Uber itself. This means you can do ride-share and food delivery work simultaneously as a way to bring in even more cash. Uber Eats couriers make between $12-$24 an hour, and it is possible to earn a full-time living using this platform. One driver even made headlines by working 12-hour days for a month straight with Uber Eats, earning over $8,000.
How To Get Started Working for a Food Delivery Service
Getting started on any of the platforms above is fairly straightforward. The details will be different with each company, but in most cases, you will be an independent contractor, setting your own hours and paying your own expenses. This means you will have to factor in the cost of fuel, insurance, and vehicle maintenance. You’ll also be in charge of paying your own taxes.
Typically, you must pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. In some cases, you may need to have a newer-model vehicle. But if you don’t have a decent car, no worries. At least one platform (Uber Eats) allows couriers to deliver via bicycle.
If you’re considering working with one or more of the apps on this list, be sure to visit each company’s recruiting pages for more details on getting started.
Honorable Mentions
Our list of the best food delivery services is not all-inclusive. In fact, there are several other courier services you might want to check out as well. Some of our favorites include:
GoPuff: GoPuff couriers deliver snacks, beverages, and other items you would find at a local convenience store.
Saucey: Saucy is an alcohol delivery service that brings booze right to a customer’s home. Naturally, you’ll need to be 21 to work on this platform.
Favor: Favor couriers don’t just deliver groceries. As a runner for Favor, you act as a personal assistant, delivering everything from a client’s dry cleaning to a last-minute birthday gift from a local shop.
Local Options
Some food delivery services are small independent platforms that only operate in specific areas of the country. It’s worth searching in your area to see what’s available in addition to the well-known companies above.
Paid Online Surveys as an Add-on Side Gig
Of course, every delivery driver has times when business is slow, making it the perfect time to pick up an additional side hustle. But in this case, you need something flexible. Paid online surveys are perfect for downtimes like when you’re waiting for a customer’s order. You can take surveys for money any time and anywhere, and because each only takes a few minutes to complete, it’s an ideal gig for busy delivery drivers. You can even take surveys for Amazon gift cards and purchase some cool new accessories for your vehicle. How cool is that?
