How Does Grubhub Work?

Get your favorite restaurant food delivered to your front door

You may have heard of Grubhub, seen the commercials, or know someone who uses it, but maybe you still aren't quite sure exactly what it is or how it works. Not to worry. Here's everything you need to know about Grubhub, including how to work for the company.

What Is Grubhub?

Grubhub partners with restaurants in your area to offer delivery for ones that don't normally deliver, while also offering a convenient online ordering system for the ones that do. Everything is handled through Grubhub, which gives customers the flexibility to sign into one place and order nearly anything.

How Does Grubhub Work?

Even though Grubhub works with so many different restaurants, it's easy to use and work with. Order from restaurants and diners, or major chains offering online ordering. It's simple, streamlined, and won't overburden you with options.

Access the service through its website or by using the mobile app, which is available for both iOS and Android smartphones.

How to Use Grubhub

  1. To get started with Grubhub, go to the Grubhub website, and then select Sign in in the upper-right corner of the screen.

    The Sign In link on Grubhub
  2. A new box pops up with fields to enter your email and password. Below them, you'll see the options to use your Facebook or Google account to sign in. However, if you'd prefer to create a new Grubhub account, select Create your account.

    The Create Your Account button
  3. The box shifts to a sign-up form. Enter your name, email, and a new password for your account. When everything looks right, select Create your account.

    The Create Your Account button
  4. Head back to the home page and enter your ZIP code into the search bar and then press Find Food.

    The Location section of the Grubhub search bar
  5. After the next page loads, Grubhub displays a list of participating restaurants in your area that are open and deliver. Each one includes a picture of food, pricing information, and a customer rating. The listing indicates an approximate delivery time and the distance the restaurant is from you.

    Filter the search results by the type of food across the top of the listing. Use a series of additional filters down the left side of the window that let you sort by feature, rating, and delivery time.

    Grubhub Search Results
  6. When you find a restaurant you like, select it, and you'll be taken to that restaurant's page where you can view its menu and contextual information.

  7. Look through the menu. When you find something you want, select it to add it to your order. Everything you've added appears on the right side of the screen.

    Some restaurants allow you to customize the menu items before adding them—for example, for pizza, where you can add toppings. Add as many items as you like. Watch out for minimum orders, though. Some restaurants require a certain purchase amount to deliver.

    Grubhub Menu Options
  8. When you have everything you want, select Proceed to Checkout at the bottom of your order.

    The Proceed to Checkout button
  9. The next screen contains a form to fill out your address information. Most of that will already be populated from before. To the right, you'll see the breakdown of your order with the total. When you're ready, click Continue to payment method.

    Grubhub Checkout Address
  10. Enter your payment information. Grubhub offers several options for payment, including PayPal. At the bottom of the page, there's the option to include a tip in your payment or to pay with cash. After entering everything, complete your order.

    Grubhub Checkout Payment
  11. If you entered a phone number, Grubhub will text you when your order is received with an estimated delivery time.

How to Work for Grubhub

Grubhub delivery drivers are independent contractors working for, and paid by, Grubhub.

To work for Grubhub, you only need to fill out a Grubhub application. They'll look over your application, conduct a background check, and see if you're a good fit. If you're approved, you'll be granted access to their app to pick up orders in real-time as they arrive.

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