Ordering food delivery through apps like Grubhub offers convenience, but some customers may prefer to pay with cash rather than entering their credit card information online. Fortunately, paying with cash is an option with some Grubhub orders, although availability is limited. Here’s what you need to know about paying with cash on Grubhub and getting change back.
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Which Grubhub Restaurants Accept Cash Payments?
The ability to pay with cash on Grubhub depends entirely on whether the individual restaurant accepts cash payments. Grubhub provides the option for restaurants to accept cash, but it is up to each restaurant to decide if they want to take on the extra work and risks involved with handling cash.
Only an estimated 20% of restaurants on Grubhub accept cash payments. Local small businesses are more likely to accept cash, while large chains usually do not.
How to Check if a Restaurant Accepts Cash
Because availability is limited, you have to check each restaurant individually to see if cash payment is an option. Here are two ways to check:
1. Select “Cash” at Checkout
Add items to your cart from a restaurant, then proceed to checkout. In the payment section, see if “Cash” is available in the dropdown menu. If not, that restaurant does not accept cash.
2. Look for the Cash Icon
Some restaurants that accept cash will show a “$” cash icon on their listing page. However, not all restaurants that accept cash display this icon, so you still need to try selecting “Cash” at checkout to confirm.
Placing a Cash Order on Grubhub
If you find a restaurant that does accept cash payments, the process is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Add Items to Your Cart: Browse the restaurant’s menu and add items to build your order.
- Select Delivery Method: Choose delivery or pickup. Delivery fees apply to cash orders.
- Go to Checkout: Proceed to checkout when ready. Enter your address and contact information.
- Select “Cash” as Payment Method: In the payment section, select “Cash” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm Order: Double check order details, then place the order.
- Have Exact Cash Amount Ready: Drivers do not carry change, so have the exact cash amount ready. Add a cash tip if desired.
And that’s it! The restaurant will prepare your order, then the driver will deliver it to your door and collect payment in cash.
Getting Change Back When Paying Cash
Since Grubhub drivers do not carry change, you need to pay with the exact cash amount for your order. Tips can be added in cash on top of the order total. Drivers cannot provide change back if you overpay in cash.
If you need change back, you have two options:
- Pay the Exact Amount Only: Don’t overpay. Count out bills and coins to match the order total exactly. Add any cash tip on top.
- Order Pickup Instead of Delivery: With pickup orders, you can pay in cash directly at the restaurant and get change back there if needed.
Why Most Restaurants Don’t Take Cash
While the option exists to pay with cash, most Grubhub restaurants do not accept cash payments. There are a few reasons why:
Increased Risk of Non-Payment
Taking cash payments makes restaurants more vulnerable to non-payment if a customer does not have enough cash on hand for the driver to collect. This results in lost product and revenue for the restaurant.
Inconvenience for Drivers
Drivers have to handle and transport cash securely. They also have to return to the restaurant to drop off cash payments instead of moving onto their next delivery. This slows down their delivery route.
Higher Chance of Errors
Counting out exact cash payments leads to a higher likelihood of errors being made with change or order amounts. If drivers have to return to correct errors, it further delays the delivery process.
Difficult to Support Digitally
Online ordering platforms like Grubhub are designed to support digital payment processing. Accepting cash adds difficult logistics that the platforms are not optimized to handle smoothly.
So in summary – yes, paying with cash on Grubhub is possible, but limited. Make sure to check each restaurant to see if they accept cash payments before placing your order. And when you pay with cash, have the exact amount ready for smooth, convenient delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tip Grubhub drivers in cash?
Yes, you can tip Grubhub drivers in cash in addition to tipping through the app. Drivers appreciate cash tips. Make sure to have small bills on hand to tip.
Why can’t the Grubhub driver pay the restaurant and get reimbursed?
Grubhub drivers do not carry enough cash on hand to pay for customer orders upfront. They also cannot get reimbursed for these types of cash transactions. Customers must pay drivers directly in cash.
What if I don’t have enough cash when the driver arrives?
If you selected to pay by cash but don’t have enough cash when the driver arrives, unfortunately they cannot accept a partial cash payment. Your only option is to cancel the order entirely through Grubhub support.
Can I start an order as delivery then switch to pickup?
No, Grubhub does not allow you to change an existing delivery order to pickup after it is placed. You would need to cancel the delivery order and place a new pickup order instead.
The Bottom Line
Paying with cash on Grubhub orders is convenient when you want to avoid using credit cards or don’t have access to digital payments. Just make sure to have exact change ready for the driver. Limitations apply since cash acceptance depends entirely on each restaurant’s policies, but with some extra effort you can find Grubhub restaurants that take cash.
