Bottom Line
Becoming a Grubhub driver is a solid part-time hustle that can get you a decent amount of extra cash.
It has a transparent payment model and grants you the comfort of setting specific hours you want to work.
The Pros:
- Set and work with your own schedule
- Make extra money comfortably
- Choose which orders to accept and decline
- Efficient payment model
The Cons:
- Schedule block time in advance
- Priority is given to Premier level drivers
- Usual wear and tear on your vehicle
With a working smartphone and a car with up-to-date insurance, you can earn some extra money by working as a Grubhub driver.
This app provides opportunities for freelancers to complete deliveries for pay per delivery and customer tips.
It is available in all 50 states and over 4000 cities in the US, with the work availability differing from location and time.
The following is an in-depth review of Grubhub Driver, requirements to start earning, how much you can make with the app, and how to maximize your income.
What Is Grubhub Driver?
Founded in 2004, Grubhub is a food delivery service that allows customers to make orders from local restaurants and major chains near them and hire freelancers to deliver.
Once an order is made, a Grubhub driver in that region is notified to pick up and deliver.
Grubhub has two different apps: the food delivery app for customers and the driver app for freelancers.
Both apps are available for both iOS and Android users.
How Much Can You Make As A Grubhub Driver?
When you decide to work as a Grubhub Driver, you get to choose when and how often you work.
For this reason, earnings from the app vary significantly from one driver to another. It also depends on where you deliver and the times of the day you choose to work.
A recent change was made to the app’s pay model creating more transparency to provide for the entire time it takes to complete orders and accounts for miles traveled accurately.
The previous model had some problems, but after driver complaints, the new model introduced is based on mileage per order, time spent on the road, tips, and special offers.
Best of all:
Drivers get to keep 100% of customer tips. With the new model, you can now earn an average of $12-$13 per hour.
However, Grubhub drivers are not paid at a flat hourly rate. Every order you respond to and accept on the app will have slightly different pay.
When you work as a Grubhub driver, you can accept and decline whichever order you want.
The app gives you an estimate of what is in the order, and you can determine whether it is worth your time or not.
You can deliver a few small orders during the day and earn a small amount for each but get one big delivery towards the evening to boost your total earnings.
Requirements To Become A Grubhub Driver
If you are in a state where Grubhub is popular among the residents, you can make some extra money through deliveries.
However, you have to meet the following requirements:
- You should be at least 19 years old. If you are from Chicago or Las Vegas, you should be at least 21 years old.
- You should have a car, but a bike can also work in specific markets.
- If driving, you should have a valid driver’s license.
- Bike riders should have a state I.D.
- You should have a checking account for direct deposit.
- A working smartphone with Android 5.0 or higher or iOS 11 or higher.
How To Apply To Be A Grubhub Driver
If you meet the requirements above, you can apply and wait for the process that takes 3-5 days.
Once you apply, the Grubhub app will ask for your authorization to conduct a background check which involves looking at your criminal and driving record for the last seven years.
The background checks are conducted by a third-party organization known as Chekr.
If you don’t have any violent crimes, felonies, or major violations to your name, you will pass the background check.
But if you have too many minor driving violations, you can still be disqualified.
You will also need to complete a Grubhub onboarding process which is generally a slideshow that explains how you operate.
You learn how to use all the app functions, including responding to orders, scheduling time to work, and others.
Grubhub then ensures to get to you an insulated bag that you use to keep the food hot or cold while on the job.
How Does Grubhub Driving App Work?
The app is simple to navigate and use. After your application is accepted, you can start delivering for Grubhub in the following Steps:
Step 1: Schedule Your Time
To work on Grubhub, you need to schedule a specific block of time and work then. The blocks last between 2 to 4 hours.
What does this mean for you?
Drivers working within that scheduled block are the only ones who receive orders hence a high volume of work.
Step 2: Accept Orders
Before accepting orders, you need to be in a particular delivery area. You can find this on your app under “View Region Boundaries.”
When in the correct position, switch your status to “Taking Offers,” and anytime you get an order, you hear a cowbell ding.
From then, you have up to 90 seconds to accept or reject the order. It gives you enough time to view the restaurant location, customer, and estimated earnings.
When you accept the order, it gives you directions to the pickup location where your click “Arrive” when you get there and later “Got Order” and “Leaving.”
Step 3: Paying For Orders
Most of the orders made through Grubhub are paid for by the customer through the app.
However, those who have not partnered with Grubhub can use Place and Pay Orders.
It means that you pay for an order at the pickup point using your Grubhub Driver Card, a prepaid card with money on it.
Step 4: Delivering The Orders
After you click “Leaving,” the Grubhub Driver app gives you directions to your destination. When you get there, you click the “Arrive” button.
How To Maximize Your Earnings As A Grubhub Driver
As mentioned earlier, the amount you earn on Grubhub Drivers’ app depends on several factors: times of the day you work, types of orders you accept, and others.
Now:
How can you work with your daily schedule and still maximize your income on Grubhub Driver?
1. Make Clever Decisions When Accepting Orders
It is okay to decline some orders. Since the app displays how much you are likely to earn, including customer tips, you should choose orders that get you the most money.
2. Schedule Your Shifts
On a free day, you can mark yourself on the app as “available” to take any order that comes by.
The app also allows you to sign up for future blocks, ranging from 2-4 hours, by clicking on the “Scheduling” tab.
Grubhub notifies you about your schedule blocks before time, allowing you to stick to your plan and make some deliveries.
3. Maximize Bonus Opportunities
Sometimes, you may find bonuses to get an additional $10 for every three or more deliveries in the evening hours.
You have to accept 70% to 90% of all offers to qualify for bonus pay during scheduled blocks.
Grubhub Recognition Program
Grubhub allows you to accept and decline any orders you wish to deliver without necessarily penalizing you.
It turns out:
This habit will affect your future opportunities with the Grubhub Recognition Program.
This program rewards drivers who complete as many deliveries as possible with one of its three levels: Partner, Pro, and Premier.
Every driver begins with Partner level and moves on to Pro and later Premier with adequate consistency and effort.
Premier drivers get priority access to scheduling hours, and they are qualified to deliver catering jobs that pay much better.
A driver moves on to a new level after meeting specific requirements and successful rates such as attendance to scheduled blocks and order acceptance rate.
Grubhub Driver Vs. DoorDash
Conclusion
If you find yourself with some extra hours on your hands every day with no solid part-time business you can get into, the Grubhub Driver app can be your way out.
Simply put:
This app allows you to schedule what time you want to work, accept and decline any order, and pays you a 100% customer tip.
It is a great way to get some extra bucks in your pocket at your convenience, provided you make successful deliveries.
