Photo: GrubHub
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A recent study shows that ordering food from delivery apps can be 70% more expensive than buying directly from a restaurant.
"My girl and her daughter, they were going to go to McDonald's, which is about a seven-minute round trip — like $25," one Massachusetts resident said.
Research from the credit-building platform, Self Financial, showed the exact order from McDonald's, in 100 different U.S. cities, included up to a 60% markup in charges when using delivery services like DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats. The data showed a price difference of as much as $33.88 between the cities evaluated.
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According to the study, in 2025, an order cost $36.95 when dealing directly with McDonald's versus the average of $57.87 when using third-party apps.
"Yeah, they price-gouge big time," another resident said.
DoorDash was listed as the most expensive app, with Uber Eats coming in second, and GrubHub listed last, with the average costs on the same order ranging from $60.65 to $63.21.
Third-party food delivery apps add a variety of charges on top of the 19% markup on the food, including sales tax, service fee, delivery fee, other costs like gas surcharges or small order fees, and the tip. Even with the additional charges, some don't think the workers are compensated enough.
"And these companies aren't paying their drivers. It's outrageous," another person said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports.