Top 10 Third-Party Online Food Delivery Apps for Restaurants in the United States 2026
- May 6
- 6 min read
The U.S. food delivery market is more competitive and more essential to restaurant growth than ever before. What was once considered an additional sales channel is now a primary driver of revenue for many full-service and quick-service restaurants.
According to Statista, online food delivery revenue in the United States is projected to reach approximately $473.49 billion in 2026, with continued growth expected at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 6.83% through 2031. This sustained expansion reflects not only increased consumer demand but also deeper integration of delivery platforms into everyday dining behavior.
If you’re trying to understand which food delivery apps truly matter to your restaurant and deciding where to invest your marketing budget and operational resources, this guide is built for you. We break down the top 10 online food delivery platforms in the United States, focusing on their background, latest statistics, and strengths for restaurants, making it critical for restaurant owners to understand how they align with business goals.
Third-Party Online Food Delivery Apps Comparison
Platform | Market Share | Best For | Fee Model | Key Advantage |
DoorDash | ~67% | Scale & reach | Commission | Largest user base |
Uber Eats | ~24% | Urban growth | Commission | Fast delivery |
Grubhub | ~8–10% | Local loyalty | Commission | Established base |
ChowNow | N/A | Profit margins | Subscription | No commissions |
Slice | Niche | Pizzerias | Lower fees | Focused audience |
Caviar | Niche | Premium dining | Commission | High-value customers |
1. DoorDash
With over 56 million monthly active users in 2025, DoorDash remains a leader in the food delivery marketplace. Founded in 2013 in Palo Alto, California, DoorDash started with a simple mission: help local businesses reach more customers through efficient last-mile delivery.
DoorDash’s user-friendly interface and real-time tracking make ordering straightforward. The app also features DashPass, a subscription service that reduces delivery fees for frequent users.
Wide restaurant selection, including local and national chains
Scheduled deliveries and contactless options
Frequent promotions and discounts
Best for: Maximum reach, volume growth, and scaling delivery revenue.
DoorDash Key Statistics 2025
DoorDash generated $13.72 billion in annual revenue, a 27.9% increase on the previous year.
Controls around 6 67% of the US market share.
Over 22 million subscribers joined the DashPass subscription model (including Wolt+)
Total Orders reached 3.2 billion.
Operates in 900+ cities and suburban markets.
2. Uber Eats
Uber Eats was launched in 2014. It leveraged Uber’s vast driver network to provide fast deliveries in urban and suburban areas. Initially a side project of the ride-hailing giant Uber, it quickly became a global food delivery powerhouse.
The app integrates seamlessly with Uber’s ride-sharing service, allowing users to manage both transportation and food orders in one place. Uber Eats also offers curated collections and personalized recommendations based on your order history.
Efficient delivery times with live driver tracking
Integration with Uber ride services
Diverse cuisine options and meal customization
Uber Eats Key Statistics 2025
Uber Eats grew 20% YoY to $14.4 billion in revenue
Holds approximately 24% market share in the US
Second-largest food delivery platform in the US
Strong presence in urban markets
Competes closely with DoorDash in major metros
Achieved profitability alongside other leading platforms
Best for: Urban restaurants, premium positioning, and high-frequency orders.
3. Grubhub
Grubhub was founded in 2004 by Matt Maloney and Mike Evans in Chicago. It is one of the earliest online food ordering platforms in the U.S., originally designed to digitize restaurant menus and simplify ordering.
Following its 2013 merger with Seamless and acquisition by Wonder in 2024, Grubhub continues to focus on local and independent restaurants.
Operate in over 4,000 U.S. cities.
Focus on local eateries and independent restaurants
User reviews and ratings for informed choices
Best for: Independent restaurants targeting loyal, repeat customers.
4. Postmates
Postmates was founded in 2011 in San Francisco by Bastian Lehmann, Sean Plaice, and Sam Street. It started as a “deliver anything” platform, not just food delivery, which differentiated it early on.
Uber acquired Postmates in 2020, integrating it into Uber Eats while maintaining brand recognition in select U.S. markets. It’s ideal for users who want a one-stop app for various delivery needs. Postmates offers flexible delivery times and a “Party” feature that lets multiple people add items to a single order.
Delivery of food, groceries, and convenience items
Group ordering with shared carts
Wide coverage in major metropolitan areas
Best for: Restaurants in urban areas with demand for flexible, multi-item orders.
5. ChowNow
ChowNow was founded in 2011 by Christopher Webb and Eric Jaffe in Los Angeles. It was created to help independent restaurants reduce dependency on high-commission marketplaces.
Unlike traditional delivery apps, ChowNow focuses on commission-free ordering systems. It allows users to order directly from restaurant websites or apps powered by ChowNow, reducing fees for eateries and often lowering costs for customers.
Business Model Comparison
Platform Type | Commission | Customer Ownership |
DoorDash / Uber Eats | 15–30% | Platform-owned |
ChowNow | Flat subscription | Restaurant-owned |
Best for: Restaurants focused on long-term profitability and brand independence.
6. Seamless
Seamless is a favorite in many metropolitan areas, especially New York City. It focuses on quick, reliable delivery from a broad range of restaurants. Seamless offers corporate accounts and catering options, making it popular for office lunches and events.
In August 2013, Grubhub and Seamless merged to create a dominant online food-ordering powerhouse, operating under the name Grubhub Inc.
Strong presence in urban centers
Catering and group order features
Easy reorder options for favorite meals
Best for: Office districts and catering-heavy businesses.
7. Caviar
Caviar targets food lovers who want premium and curated dining experiences. It partners with high-end restaurants and offers exclusive dishes not available on other platforms. The app emphasizes quality over quantity, with a sleek design and attentive customer service.
In October 2019, Caviar was sold from Square to DoorDash.
What Makes Caviar Different
Curated restaurant selection
Higher average order values
Premium customer base
Better brand perception for upscale dining
Best for: Fine dining, boutique restaurants, and premium branding.
8. Slice
Founded in 2010 by Ilir Sela in New York City, Slice is a specialized delivery platform tailored specifically for pizzerias. It has built a strong niche by focusing on independent pizza shops and helping them compete with large chains.
The platform offers tools designed for pizza operations, including menu customization, order tracking, and customer loyalty programs. Slice also emphasizes supporting local businesses, which resonates with customers who prefer independent restaurants.
For pizzeria owners, Slice provides a targeted audience and a cost-effective way to increase online orders without competing directly with broader marketplaces.
Best for: Pizzerias seeking focused growth and loyal customers.
9. Just Eat
Just Eat is a major online food delivery platform under the parent company Just Eat Takeaway. Although it has limited direct presence in the US, it remains an important platform for restaurant brands with international operations.
The platform focuses on connecting restaurants with customers through a marketplace model, often allowing restaurants to handle their own delivery. Just Eat is particularly strong in markets like the UK, where it has a large and loyal customer base.
For restaurant businesses planning cross-border expansion, Just Eat provides access to established markets and a mature online ordering ecosystem.
Best for: Restaurant groups planning global expansion.
10. Delivery.com
Delivery.com was founded in 2004 in New York. It differentiates itself by offering more than just food delivery, including alcohol, groceries, and laundry services in select cities. It’s a versatile app for users who want multiple services in one place. Delivery.com also features loyalty rewards and easy reordering.
Key Features
Loyalty rewards program
Multi-category convenience
Strong in select metro areas
Best for: Restaurants in cities where customers prefer all-in-one delivery apps.
Turn Online Food Delivery Apps Into a Restaurant Growth Engine
The most successful restaurants don’t just list their menus. They actively optimize, test, and refine their presence for each delivery platform. They balance visibility with profitability and use data to guide decisions.
If your restaurant is not seeing strong results from delivery apps, the issue is rarely the platform itself. It’s usually the setup, positioning, and ongoing optimization.
At Prome Digital Growth, we specialize in helping restaurants maximize performance across online food delivery platforms.
Manage and optimize profile
Improve rankings
Optimize menus for higher conversion rates
In-app advertising
If you’re ready to turn delivery apps into a reliable revenue stream, contact us today.
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