By Aliza, founder and editor of Menu Info. Updated October 2026.
Delivery apps make it easy to get almost any restaurant meal brought to your door, but convenience has a price. Between marked up menus, delivery fees, service fees and tips, the same meal can cost far more through an app than it does at the counter. This guide explains where the extra money goes, when delivery is worth it, and how to get your favorite food for less.
Quick answer
For a typical fast food order, using a third party delivery app usually costs 30 to 50 percent more than ordering the same food yourself for pickup, and sometimes more on small orders. Ordering through the restaurant's own app and picking it up is almost always the cheapest option, because that is where the best deals and rewards are.
Where the extra cost comes from
| Cost | What it is | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| Menu markup | Many restaurants charge higher item prices inside delivery apps than in store | Often 10 to 30 percent per item |
| Delivery fee | A charge for the trip, which can change with distance and demand | From $0 with a membership to several dollars |
| Service fee | A percentage charged by the app itself | Often a percentage of the order |
| Small order fee | Added when your order is below a minimum | A few dollars on small orders |
| Busy time pricing | Higher fees during peak hours or bad weather | Varies |
| Tip | Paid to the driver and well deserved | Commonly 15 to 20 percent or a few dollars |
None of these is huge on its own, but together they add up quickly. And deals you see in the restaurant's own app, such as buy one get one offers or rewards, often do not apply in third party apps.
A real world example
Here is how a simple burger meal can change in price depending on how you order it. These are illustrative estimates using typical prices.
| How you order | Food | Fees and tip | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant app, pickup, with a deal | About $8 | $0 | About $8 |
| At the counter, full price | About $11 | $0 | About $11 |
| Restaurant's own delivery | About $11 | About $4 to $7 | About $15 to $18 |
| Third party app, marked up menu | About $13 | About $6 to $9 | About $19 to $22 |
The same meal can cost more than twice as much depending on the method. On a family order the gap is smaller in percentage terms, because fees are spread across more food, but it is still significant.
Restaurant apps vs third party apps
Many chains now offer delivery through their own apps, often using a delivery partner behind the scenes. Ordering delivery directly from the restaurant usually has two advantages: menu prices are often the same as in store, and you can still use the chain's own deals and earn rewards points. Pizza chains like Domino's, Papa John's and Pizza Hut have run their own delivery for decades, and their deals are built around ordering directly.
When delivery is worth it
- You cannot leave home, for example because you are unwell, caring for children or do not have transport.
- You are ordering for a group, so fees are spread across more people.
- You have a delivery membership and order often enough for it to pay for itself.
- Bad weather or a long trip would cost you more in time or fuel than the fees.
How to pay less for delivery
- Order from the restaurant's own app first. Compare its delivery price with third party apps before you choose.
- Check for in app deals. Chains often run free delivery or discount codes in their own apps.
- Combine orders. One larger order with friends or family spreads the fees.
- Avoid small orders. Small order fees can make a single item very expensive.
- Order outside peak times. Fees can be higher during dinner rush and bad weather.
- Consider pickup. If the restaurant is close, a short drive or walk saves the most.
Frequently asked questions
Why is food more expensive on delivery apps?
Many restaurants raise item prices on delivery apps to cover the commission they pay, and the apps add delivery, service and other fees on top.
Is it cheaper to order delivery directly from the restaurant?
Often, yes. Restaurant apps usually use in store prices and let you use their own deals and rewards.
Do delivery memberships save money?
They can if you order often, because they remove delivery fees on eligible orders. If you only order occasionally, the monthly fee may cost more than it saves.
What is the cheapest way to get fast food?
Ordering ahead in the restaurant's own app with a deal and picking it up yourself.
Do app deals work on delivery orders?
Some do, but many of the best fast food deals are pickup only. Check the terms in the app.
Compare typical in store prices on our restaurant menu pages before you order, and see more ways to save in our guide on how to save money on fast food. Prices and fees vary by location and app. Menu Info is not affiliated with any restaurant or delivery service.