11 Key Results from Our Food Delivery Apps Comparison

We compared major food delivery platforms across multiple U.S. cities to pull practical results readers can use the next time they tap “place order.” Our review leans on a multi-city analysis that measured menu prices, delivery fees, and service charges for major chains, including McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, Popeyes, and Subway. The findings show that there’s no single winner across the country; instead, the best choice depends on where you live and which restaurants you use most. We also looked at partnerships that change how restaurants price items, subscription plans that can cut recurring fees, and gaps in public data such as delivery speed and customer-service responsiveness. The goal here is simple: give clear results and quick actions so you can save money and avoid surprises when ordering in. Treat these points like a checklist you can run through before placing an order. Test two apps for your regular chains, note which app lists lower menu prices locally, and factor subscription value into your typical ordering frequency. With a few small habits, you’ll likely keep more money in your pocket without complicating the way you order.

1. Cost and Fee Comparison: Small fee differences add up

The most obvious result from the multi-city study is that price components matter. The total cost of any order is the sum of the menu price, delivery fee, service charge, and tip. Researchers compared these components across DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats to produce a consistent apples-to-apples view across the same menu items at major chains. The headline finding: Grubhub was the cheapest option in 24 states, while other apps led in different regions. That doesn’t mean Grubhub will always be the cheapest where you live, but small differences on repeat orders accumulate quickly over a month. For regular users, the practical move is to compare the total checkout price on two apps before ordering, not just the listed menu price. Also watch for occasional promo codes, which sometimes offset higher base fees and make an otherwise pricier app a better deal for a single order.