11 Key Results from Our Food Delivery Apps Comparison

3. Chain-by-Chain Winners: Some restaurants favor specific platforms

Not all restaurants behave the same across platforms. The research compared seven nationwide chains and found that app-specific pricing or promotions often make one platform cheaper for a particular chain in a local market. For example, the DoorDash-McDonald’s partnership can change the math in markets where McDonald’s routes orders through DoorDash systems. This means your habitual chain matters: if you order Taco Bell or Subway multiple times a month, one app could consistently list lower menu prices or run better deals. The practical approach is simple: note which app lists the lowest price for each chain you use most. Over time, that small discipline cuts costs without forcing you to switch apps for every single order.