In today’s fast-paced world, ordering food delivery has become a convenient solution, but those delivery fees can really add up. Preparing food at home takes time, and let’s face it, time is money. Even a quick trip to the grocery store can be both expensive and time-consuming. If you’re looking to save money, understanding how to access Cheap Food Delivery options can be a game-changer. Luckily, scoring affordable or even free food delivery is more attainable than you might think. From leveraging restaurant apps to taking advantage of subscription perks and community programs, there are numerous ways to enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank. This guide will walk you through the best strategies to make cheap food delivery a reality.
Leverage Restaurant Apps for Exclusive Deals
Remember clipping coupons from newspapers? Well, restaurants have gone digital! To save on marketing costs, many restaurants now offer exclusive deals, discounts, and, importantly, delivery promotions directly through their own apps. By ordering directly through a restaurant’s app, you can often access deals that aren’t available to walk-in or drive-thru customers. This means you could be missing out on significant savings if you aren’t using these apps. Let’s explore some popular chains and how their apps can help you secure cheap food delivery.
McDonald’s
McDelivery becomes much more appealing when it’s practically free! By ordering through the My McDonald’s App, you can often find free McDelivery offers. It’s worth noting that menu prices within the app are generally consistent with in-restaurant pricing. Keep an eye on their delivery page or the app itself for promo codes that can further reduce your purchase or even eliminate delivery charges altogether. McDonald’s also frequently uses its app to distribute coupons and promotions like “Free Fries Fridays” or “buy-one-get-one-free” deals on items like the double cheeseburger. While McDonald’s is also available through third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub, ordering directly through the McDonald’s app is often the key to cheap food delivery from this fast-food giant.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell often points customers towards ordering through their partner, Grubhub, for delivery. Checking the Taco Bell website can reveal current promo codes for Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates, potentially leading to discounted or cheap food delivery. Their app also offers the convenience of ordering ahead for in-store pickup and other features. While you might find free delivery through Grubhub, it’s usually tied to a minimum order amount, often around $12.
KFC
Craving that crispy fried chicken fix but prefer to skip the cooking and cleanup? KFC makes it easy to order directly from their website or app. They frequently run promotions that offer free or discounted food items, drinks, or even delivery charges. Of course, you can also find KFC on your favorite food delivery apps. If you are a Grubhub+ member, you’ll often unlock free delivery on KFC orders exceeding $12, making that fried chicken craving more budget-friendly with cheap food delivery.
Subway
Subway provides its own delivery service through their website and app. Keep an eye out for occasional free delivery promotions, which are sometimes active for a month at a time. Promo codes and coupons for reduced-price items or delivery are also common. For regular Subway customers, exploring a DashPass 30-day trial could be beneficial, potentially granting you free delivery on Subway orders over $10, contributing to cheap food delivery for your sandwich cravings.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s often directs customers to order through their own app or via partners like DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, or Uber Eats. Checking the Wendy’s website or app for delivery promotions is a smart move. You might find discounts on delivery fees or specific menu items. Delivery availability can vary by location. Similar to other services, DashPass members can often enjoy free delivery from Wendy’s when spending at least $10, making it easier to snag cheap food delivery. DashPass also commonly offers a 30-day free trial period for new users.
Domino’s
Domino’s streamlines online ordering for both delivery and pickup through their website and app. Always check their site and app for current discounts and coupons to potentially reduce your overall cost. While Domino’s doesn’t typically offer free delivery directly, GrubHub+ members in certain areas may be eligible for free Domino’s delivery, offering a path to cheap food delivery for pizza night.
Pizza Hut
You can easily download the Pizza Hut app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Ordering through the app is quick and convenient for both pickup and delivery, and you’ll frequently find discounts on food or delivery fees within the apps and on the Pizza Hut website. For frequent users of Uber Eats, Eats Pass members may unlock free Pizza Hut delivery. However, it’s often wise to compare – sometimes, paying a small delivery fee and utilizing a coupon directly through the Pizza Hut app could result in greater overall savings and cheap food delivery.
Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A provides delivery through nationwide partners including DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, and Postmates. You also have the option to order directly from the Chick-Fil-A website or app. Keep in mind that menu prices for delivered items are often slightly higher compared to in-store. Delivery through the Chick-Fil-A app isn’t typically free, but DashPass memberships can often unlock free delivery, making cheap food delivery from Chick-Fil-A possible.
Starbucks
Starbucks partners with Uber Eats for delivery, and sometimes offers periods of free delivery, though other service fees may still apply. Ordering can be done directly through the Starbucks website or app. You can even use voice commands like “Hey Siri, order Starbucks.” Joining the Starbucks Rewards program is a smart move for regular customers, unlocking rewards, promotions, and potential discounts that can contribute to cheap food delivery and beverage orders.
Popeye’s
Ordering directly from the Popeye’s website or app can often unlock free delivery, especially for orders exceeding $20. Popeye’s also partners with Grubhub, DoorDash, and Postmates for delivery. Premium memberships with these third-party apps often include free Popeye’s delivery. If ordering through these apps without a membership, expect a delivery fee – around $3.99 if the nearest Popeye’s is within six miles, and $5.99 for longer distances. Always be on the lookout for special offers and discounts to maximize your savings and achieve cheap food delivery from Popeye’s.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread frequently offers a promotional $1 delivery fee on orders over $5 placed through their website and app. Keep in mind that menu pricing through delivery might be slightly elevated, and additional fees may apply. Panera Bread has a dedicated page for promo codes, discounts, and coupons, so check there before ordering. For Uber Eats users, the Eats Pass often includes free Panera Bread delivery, providing another avenue for cheap food delivery.
Panda Express
For fans of Chinese takeout, Panda Express delivers their popular Orange Chicken and other favorites right to your door. Order through the Panda Express website or their app. Watch for free delivery promotions, discounts, and coupons offered through these channels. Uber Eats Eats Pass members often enjoy free Panda Express delivery. If ordering through the Panda Express app, a delivery fee of around $5 might apply, but the menu prices are often lower than on third-party apps, making it potentially cheaper overall, depending on your order, for cheap food delivery.
Chipotle
Chipotle provides delivery through both their website and their app. They often run a promotional $1 delivery fee, although it’s worth noting the fine print which mentions potentially higher menu prices and service fees. As with other chains, keep an eye on the Chipotle website and app for special offers. Uber Eats Eats Pass holders can often get free Chipotle delivery, but the potentially inflated menu prices might negate the savings unless you have a specific Uber Eats promotion, making ordering directly through the Chipotle app potentially more cost-effective for cheap food delivery.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Some Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations participate in offering free delivery on orders exceeding $10. To check if your local Dickey’s is participating, look for a “free delivery” button when ordering online and enter your address to confirm eligibility. Additionally, joining the Big Yellow Cup Rewards program earns you 10 points for every dollar spent, redeemable for free food, and members also receive occasional discount offers, enhancing the potential for cheap food delivery from Dickey’s. Download their app to easily access deals and ordering.
Other Chain Restaurants Offering App-Based Delivery Deals
Beyond these major chains, numerous other restaurants offer free delivery specifically for orders placed through their apps:
- Boston Market: Order through the Boston Market app or website for free delivery.
- Bob Evans: Enjoy free Friday delivery from Bob Evans when ordering through their website or app, with no minimum purchase required.
- Del Taco: Use the code DELTACONOW when ordering Del Taco through Postmates for free delivery.
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop: Get free delivery on orders placed directly through the Capriotti’s website.
- Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Orders of $20 or more through the Rubio’s app or website qualify for free delivery.
- Torchy’s Tacos: No delivery fee is applied to DoorDash orders from Torchy’s Tacos.
- Blaze Pizza: Postmates orders of $15 or more from Blaze Pizza come with free delivery.
- Five Guys: Free delivery from Five Guys is available on orders of $15 or more placed through their website or app.
Remember that minimum order amounts may apply to secure free delivery through restaurant apps. Don’t forget to check your local restaurants too! Many local eateries have their own apps and may also offer enticing free delivery promotions, expanding your options for cheap food delivery beyond just the big chains.
Pro Tip: Chain restaurants aren’t the only places offering delivery deals. Local restaurants often partner with delivery apps, and some may even handle delivery themselves. If you have a favorite local spot, give them a call and inquire about their delivery options and any potential promotions for cheap food delivery.
Explore Free Meal Kit Delivery Offers
If you’re comfortable with a bit of cooking, meal kit delivery services can be a fantastic way to get essentially free meals delivered. Groceries are a significant expense, but meal kit companies frequently offer promotions to attract new customers. For example, Hello Fresh often provides a free box containing three full meals for two people to new subscribers. You can often get a free trial box simply by signing up. It’s typically easy to cancel your subscription at any time, even immediately after ordering your free box. Even if a full subscription isn’t within your budget, taking advantage of these free trial offers can provide several free, delivered meals, which is incredibly helpful when you’re looking for cheap food delivery alternatives and are short on grocery funds.
Consider Free Grocery Delivery Promotions
Many grocery store chains now offer delivery services directly to your home, a particularly helpful option if you live in an area with limited access to fresh food. While grocery delivery itself usually isn’t free, grocery chains frequently run promotions and loyalty programs that include coupons to offset delivery costs. For instance, Kroger has been known to offer promotions like $10 off any delivery order. Considering that next-day delivery often costs around $6.95 and same-day delivery around $9.95, such coupons can completely eliminate the delivery fee, making grocery delivery a much more affordable and convenient option, contributing to cheap food delivery of groceries.
Master Food Delivery Apps for Free Subscriptions
For the quickest and easiest access to potentially free food delivery, consider signing up for a premium subscription with a major delivery service. Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub are the biggest players in the food delivery app space, but many other regional services exist. Premium subscribers to these services typically receive (mostly) free delivery on orders, and if you play your cards right, you can even get those premium subscriptions without paying anything extra. These services often offer free delivery periods for first-time users or distribute promo codes to regular users, creating opportunities for cheap food delivery.
Pro Tip: These free delivery opportunities and promo codes are often temporary and may only be valid for a few days. Regularly checking the apps for promotions is the best way to discover and take advantage of these cheap food delivery options.
Delivery apps are also incredibly useful when traveling, helping you discover popular local restaurants or easily find options that cater to dietary restrictions like gluten-free or halal, or when you’re simply craving a specific type of cuisine like Thai or Indian, all while potentially accessing cheap food delivery.
How to Get Free Premium Subscriptions to Food Delivery Apps
Believe it or not, you might already be eligible for free premium subscriptions to major food delivery services through credit cards or existing subscriptions you already have.
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Chase: Chase offers a complimentary DashPass subscription to customers holding Chase Sapphire credit cards. This DashPass membership unlocks free delivery (with reduced service fees on eligible orders) from a wide range of restaurants including Applebee’s, Baskin-Robbins, California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Cinnabon, El Pollo Loco, Pepe’s Pizza, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Subway, and Wingstop, making cheap food delivery from these chains easily accessible.
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Capital One: Capital One provides statement credits towards Uber One subscriptions (and 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases) for cardholders of Savor, SavorOne, SavorOne Rewards for Students and Quicksilver Rewards for Students cards. Uber One membership includes free delivery from restaurants like Blaze Pizza, Chili’s, Church’s Chicken, IHOP, Krystal, P.F. Chang’s, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Whataburger, and White Castle, expanding your reach for cheap food delivery.
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Amazon Prime Subscribers: Amazon Prime members are eligible for a free GrubHub+ membership. This membership grants you free delivery from restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Firehouse Subs, Jamba Juice, Original Pancake House, Shake Shack, and Sonic, further enhancing your options for cheap food delivery. You typically need to actively sign up for this benefit, so check your Amazon Prime account to ensure you’re not missing out. GrubHub+ also often provides subscribers with a monthly free takeout entree, which alone can justify the subscription cost, even more so if your GrubHub+ service is free through Amazon Prime, significantly contributing to cheap food delivery savings.
Even if you don’t qualify for free premium subscriptions, a paid subscription usually costs around $10 per month but often includes enough monthly discount offers and reduced fees to offset the subscription cost, making it worthwhile for frequent delivery users seeking cheap food delivery options in the long run.
Pro Tip: It’s well-known that food prices can be higher through delivery apps compared to in-restaurant. However, premium subscribers frequently receive exclusive special offers a few times a month. These offers could be for a free pickup entree or significant discounts like 40% off a delivery order. If you’re getting your subscription for free through a credit card or Prime, these discounts are pure bonus savings on top of already cheap food delivery.
Understanding Pricing Differences: Direct vs. App Ordering
It’s important to be aware that “free” food delivery might not always be the cheapest option overall. Delivery apps often implement higher food prices on their menus to compensate for their operational costs. In some cases, ordering delivery directly through the restaurant’s website or app, even if it involves a delivery fee, can actually be less expensive than using a third-party app due to these price markups. Always compare prices and factor in any fees and promotions to ensure you are truly getting the best deal for cheap food delivery.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how to get cheap food delivery or even free food delivered can be a true lifesaver, especially when you’re on a tight budget. From utilizing restaurant-specific delivery apps and exploring meal kit offers to taking advantage of grocery delivery promotions and leveraging premium delivery app subscriptions, your options are diverse. The best approach for you will depend on your individual needs and financial situation. By exploring these strategies, you can enjoy the convenience of food delivery without overspending and make cheap food delivery a regular part of your budget-conscious lifestyle.
