Are you looking for a part-time job with flexible hours that fit your schedule? Food delivery app jobs might be right for you. Once the primary domain of restaurant pick-up and pizza delivery, the restaurant delivery industry has been transformed by a number of apps that have made more restaurants’ food available without leaving home.
Deciding on the best food delivery app to work for can be complicated. Doordash, Postmates, GrubHub, EatStreet, Uber Eats, and many more compete to attract drivers. Each company has its own unique benefits and costs. The following guide is designed to help you navigate the complicated food delivery app job market:
Scheduling
Scheduling is an important factor to consider when deciding which food delivery app service to work for. Some food delivery apps, such as EatStreet and Grub Hub, encourage drivers to sign up for scheduled blocks. Drivers are essentially “on call” during that time, and are sometimes guaranteed minimum hourly earnings if they are on schedule. On the other hand, other apps including Uber Eats allow drivers to choose to accept an order as it notifies them on the app. This allows for increased flexibility on the job.
Pay Formula
Each food delivery app service has a unique pay formula. Some apps will guarantee minimum hourly earnings, while others will pay based on difficulty of the order and distance to and from the restaurant. Several food delivery apps will reimburse drivers for mileage. Another important factor to look for is the ability to earn tips, and more specifically, what percentage of tips the driver is allowed to keep for themselves. Drivers can also sometimes be penalized for missed, rejected, or dropped orders.
Keep in mind, pay can be inconsistent. The flexibility of creating your own schedule can come with fluctuating paychecks. Some apps will pay their drivers after each order, other times, drivers are paid weekly or monthly. Another important point is that drivers are responsible for their own taxes: they may have to file a form 1099 at the end of each year. This means that drivers need to set some extra money aside to cover any income taxes that they will be required to pay.
Vehicle
Most food delivery apps will require their drivers to have a vehicle, but some, including Postmates, will allow their drivers to deliver on bikes or motorcycles. Some apps have strict minimum qualifications for vehicles. These can include a maximum age of the vehicle, minimum auto liability insurance, and a two-door requirement. It’s important to understand the specific vehicle stipulations when looking at which food delivery app services to apply for.
Wear and tear on vehicles is an additional part of the food delivery app service to think carefully about. By making deliveries, drivers increase the mileage on their cars, which can lead to added car difficulties and maintenance. If you are considering working in the delivery service industry, it’s important to examine the current state of your vehicle.
Other Requirements
Many apps require their drivers to be at least 18 years old. In addition, minimum qualifications can include that drivers have a valid, government-issued ID and at least one year of driving experience. Some food delivery apps will even complete background checks on their drivers before they can be employed.
Overall, the food delivery app industry offers many employment benefits for the average college student. These jobs allow drivers to set their own schedule, become their own boss, and make extra cash on the side. However, the food delivery isn’t for everyone, and it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each food delivery app when deciding which to apply for.
If you need additional help analyzing part-time opportunities or have any other financial questions, please schedule a free appointment with one of our counselors at.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial.
Emma Hahn
Peer Counselor I
Powercat Financial
www.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial/
Sources:
https://www.doordash.com/dasher/signup/ge/5761dc?utm_source=ge_t_v1
https://eatstreet.com/driver-careers
https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/delivery/
