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The Markup for Chick-fil-A on Food Delivery Apps is Unbelievable

If you absolutely need to get delivery, do your wallet a favor and skip Chick-fil-A.

chick-fil-a drive thru busy with cars wrapping around the store
By Lauren Gordon
Calista Headrick
Edited by Calista Headrick
Updated Aug. 14, 2024
Fact checked

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The world has never been more convenient, but it comes at a price. Just as convenience stores mark up prices on general items, apps that provide convenience services will cost you more.

When it comes to food delivery apps, the fees make your purchase hardly worth it.  

A recent study uncovered just how much food delivery apps mark up the food and delivery costs from beloved chain restaurants, and there was a clear top offender.

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Drumroll please...

James/Adobe chick-fil-a chicken biscuit sandwich

In the study, the team looked at complete data from 10 food orders to determine the average amount the most popular food apps charged for food, taxes, fees, and suggested tips. 

Out of the 10 popular chains, Chick-fil-A was the most egregious. Delivery apps charge consumers anywhere from a 71% to 134% markup over the regular menu price, causing a $9.85 valued meal to cost nearly $20 just to be delivered. 

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The breakdown

Oksana/Adobe chick-fil-a food

Out of the four major delivery apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, and Postmates), Chik-fil-A cost the most on GrubHub, with a 134% markup. The typically under $10 meal ended up costing GrubHub users $23.01, and this does not include a tip for the delivery person. 

The cheapest food delivery option for the basic meal (a chicken sandwich, fries, and a drink) was undoubtedly Uber Eats, the order costing a whopping $16.87 (a 71% markup).  We can hardly call that a "deal."

Food delivery costs as a whole

total cost on popular food delivery apps

Overall, Uber Eats was the most affordable app to order from any of the chain restaurants. The worst by far was Postmates, which boasted the largest markups (but was one of the bottom two for suggested tip rates. 

Both DoorDash and GrubHub were similar in average markup fees, resulting in DoorDash being just 3% higher than GrubHub. 

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Bottom line

Jaimie Mcgowan/Wirestock Creators/Adobe chick-fil-a milkshakes

The truth is, if you're going to treat yourself to a fast food meal, pick-up or drive-thru is more than worth the time. For the price of one average Chick-fil-A meal on a food delivery app, you could purchase an entire second meal. 

Making slightly inconvenient choices like this could benefit your overall savings in the long run. It's the best way to have your cake and eat it too!

 

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