City life and takeout go hand-in-hand—whether it’s a late-night bite, a quick office lunch, or your favorite dinner delivered after a long day. But convenience can come with a cost. Between service fees, delivery markups, and missed rewards, takeout often costs more than it should. Fortunately, you don’t have to compromise your order to cut costs. With the right tools and strategies, you can save money while enjoying exactly what you want.

Use Cashback Apps Without Changing a Single Bite

If you already know your go-to order at places like Chipotle, Shake Shack, or Panera Bread, use apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta to earn cashback while ordering exactly what you want.

• Fluz lets you buy digital gift cards with instant cashback. For example, grab a $20 Chipotle gift card, then apply it at checkout online or in-app. You get the same order, just with cashback.
• Rakuten provides cashback when you order through apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, or DoorDash—but only when clicking through their portal or browser extension.
• Ibotta sometimes offers cashback on restaurant gift cards or activates rebates on food delivery platforms.
  

Order Direct to Avoid Markups and Fees

Delivery apps often add 10–30% in hidden fees and increased menu pricing. To keep your total cost down:

• Order directly through the restaurant’s website or app when possible. Many offer exclusive pricing for direct orders.
• Use platforms like ChowNow or Toast that connect you directly to local restaurants with lower fees than third-party delivery services.
• Always check if the restaurant has its own rewards program (e.g., MyPanera, Chipotle Rewards)—these stack with gift card and cashback savings.
  

Stack Savings for Bigger Returns

A typical takeout strategy might look like this:

1. Use Fluz to buy a $25 Panera Bread gift card with 10% cashback
2. Order through the Panera app to access loyalty benefits
3. Pay with the Fluz card and redeem loyalty rewards
4. Earn cashback instantly and work toward a free item through MyPanera
   

You’ve just saved without altering your order, switching dishes, or applying a single coupon code.

Bonus Tip: Use Reward Credit Cards

If your credit card offers cashback on dining or purchases, use it to buy your gift cards through Fluz or Raise. You’ll double up on cashback with no extra effort.

Final Thoughts

Takeout doesn’t need to drain your wallet. By using cashback apps like Fluz, ordering directly through platforms like ChowNow or Toast, and avoiding excessive delivery markups, you can keep your order and cut your costs.