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Food Delivery Drivers: Uber Eats Driver vs Grubhub vs DoorDash?
Most people have ordered food to go from their favorite restaurants at some point, but were aware that they would have to go to the restaurant themselves to pick it up because most restaurants and eateries do not offer food delivery. Some customers can only have their food delivered by the restaurant in major metropolitan areas where delivery is conducted within walking distance of the restaurant. It was no longer a luxury but a necessity to have food delivered when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and in-person dining drastically decreased during the years of the pandemic. In these tough economic times, the demand for food delivery from both grocery stores and restaurants is still quite high, creating an opportunity for an independent driver looking to make extra money. But should you go with a service like Uber Eats driver vs Grubhub? To learn more about driving for the services, continue reading.
Food Delivery Drivers
Most of these services require their contract employees’ drivers to provide their own vehicles and cold or hot bags for transporting the food.
Uber Eats
Uber originally started as a ride-sharing program, in which those in need of a ride were matched with a driver with their own vehicle through the mobile application. However, it did not take long for the company and its drivers to realize that food delivery was indeed a lucrative service that Uber could offer. Uber Eats drivers tend to make a little less than passenger drivers, but find that not having to interact with strangers on a regular basis is preferable and worth the slightly lower pay. Uber Eats drivers can deliver orders in either vehicles, on bicycles and scooters, or by foot. Uber Eats drivers find that the steady amount of work and the more distant nature of dealing with clients are preferable and worth the slightly lower pay. Those making use of a car must follow all the same rules that Uber passenger drivers must follow with their own vehicles. Those delivering for Uber Eats on bicycles, scooters, or on foot are not required to carry insurance. All drivers must pass a criminal background check before they are allowed to work for Uber Eats.
DoorDash
Unlike Uber Eats, DoorDash started its life entirely as a food delivery service. Once the system was understood for food and grocery delivery, DoorDash was able to take advantage of the market and form a business model based solely on food delivery. Depending on the area, DoorDash offers meal delivery from restaurants as well as grocery delivery. Like Uber Eats, DoorDash delivery drivers can operate either in a vehicle or scooter, on a bike or on foot. However, all drivers must have a United States mailing address if working in the United States, a Social Security number, and if driving a vehicle, they must provide a driver’s license number, be over 18 years old, and consent to a criminal background check. Most DoorDash drivers make around $12 an hour, a little less than Uber Eats’ estimated $14-$15 an hour. DoorDash drivers must not have any driving offenses such as a DUI on record or any other major traffic violations.
GrubHub
GrubHub began as a food and grocery delivery service, much like DoorDash. GrubHub has the lowest delivery fees of any food delivery service, but the real profit comes from the tip. Other gig services, like DoorDash, pay their drivers on a commission-only basis, but GrubHub’s drivers are guaranteed a minimum hourly wage regardless of business conditions. GrubHub drivers typically earn more than the minimum wage, but most drivers are able to find enough work each hour to justify a guaranteed hourly wage from the company. Drivers for GrubHub, like those for other food delivery services, must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and Social Security number, and provide proof of address in addition to passing a background check.
Summary
There are both advantages and disadvantages to working for a food delivery service as a gig driver. However, on the other hand, for those not particularly social, not having to interact with strangers on a regular basis is a benefit. Drivers can set their own hours, be their own boss, and work as much or as little as they want. On the other hand, gig drivers face a number of challenges, including the high cost of gasoline, the depreciation on their vehicles, the possibility of orders being canceled or changed, the inconvenience of waiting in restaurants for orders that have not yet arrived, and the difficulty of filing self-employment taxes. It’s a matter of personal preference and the availability of the service in an area that determines which one is best for the new driver. Many drivers enjoy working for multiple services because it ensures that they have a steady flow of income, even if one service is slow and another is booming at the same time. The new driver may not have to choose between Uber Eats driver vs Grubhub or DoorDash, if able to juggle working for all three services carefully.
FAQ
Are employees of these three services considered employees or contract workers?
This has been a matter of debate in recent years, especially in California, as the laws that define an employee versus a contract worker seem to indicate that many who drive for gig services actually function more as employees. However, presently, all three services consider their drivers to be contract employees.
If not driving a vehicle, can a delivery worker be under the age of 18?
No, all three services require the minimum age for their workers to be 18 or older.
Can a foreign or non-citizen work for any of these services?
Yes, all three services allow for immigrants or non-residents to work as drivers, although they must provide proof of residency in the United States if operating in America, a green card or other employment verification, a valid driver’s license for driving a vehicle, and must still pass a criminal background check.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Uber Eats Driver vs Grubhub vs DoorDash Comparison: Which Driver App to Pick?
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