We've all experienced it: you're treating yourself to a night in with your favorite restaurant's food, and the excitement is palpable. No need to dress up when you're staying home. However, just as you finalize your order, the reality of the food delivery fee hits you. Sometimes it's a mere couple of bucks, but in other instances, it can soar to a surprising amount. Suddenly, you find yourself reconsidering your decision, contemplating whether it's worth the extra cost, and perhaps considering picking up the order yourself.

Complimentary Food Delivery from Restaurants

Occasionally, yes. We're about to share some methods to achieve just that. But before we dive in, let's take a brief trip down memory lane to the spring of 2020. During this time, restaurants, eager for business when people were hesitant to interact with anything not thoroughly disinfected, used free delivery as an incentive to encourage orders. Fast forward to today, and restaurants face a new challengeexcessive demand coupled with a shortage of workers. Consequently, some chains are reassessing the sustainability of offering freebies to customers. As a result, free delivery is not as readily available. Many restaurants now provide free delivery exclusively to members of their loyalty programs who pay monthly fees. It's crucial to always tip for food delivery. The delivery fee typically aids the restaurant in covering the expenses associated with delivering food and does not go to the driver. Most food delivery apps, whether from restaurants or services like Grubhub and Uber Eats, allow you to easily add a tip to express your gratitude to the driver.

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory offers free delivery on your first order by participating in DoorDash's program. Simply download the DoorDash app, place your inaugural order from The Cheesecake Factory, and pay nothing for delivery.

Cold Stone

Throughout December, Cold Stone is offering free delivery every weekend to members of the My Cold Stone Club rewards program. Simply use the promo code DEC2023.

Dickeys Barbecue Pit

Certain locations provide complimentary delivery for orders exceeding $10. Input your delivery address and locate the "free delivery" option. Ensure your cart includes a minimum of $10 worth of food. Additionally, for a limited period, enjoy a 20% discount on orders totaling $50 or more, along with free delivery, using the promo code CUE20.

DoorDash

Are you a new DoorDash user? Great news DoorDash extends free delivery for your inaugural order from numerous participating restaurants. Simply keep an eye out for the $0 delivery fee while perusing options. Note that a minimum order may be necessary. Even after your initial free delivery, you can continue to save on DoorDash and receive 1% cash back on all orders through RetailMeNot.

Drizly

Pair your food delivery with some wine or beer. Drizly, the alcohol delivery service, promotes a promo code (DRZLY) on its social media platforms, granting you $0 delivery. Don't miss out on seizing this deal.

Grubhub

Grubhub offers free delivery at specific restaurants for new customers. Check your app or find free delivery promo codes online. For regular Grubhub users, consider enrolling in Grubhub+. This subscription service offers free delivery on orders totaling $12 or more. GH+ is priced at $9.99 per month (with an available free trial). If you're a Bank of America customer, enjoy a year of free Grubhub+ (valid for BofA credit, debit, and small business cardholders).

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies had announced on its Facebook page that it was offering free delivery using a specific promo code until Dec. 1. Alternatively, enjoy free delivery by subscribing to the CookieMagic program at $9.99 per month. Additionally, if you visit a physical location, you'll receive one free cookie daily. Panera Free Delivery For a limited time, enroll in MyPanera (Panera's free rewards program) and receive $0 delivery for the initial 30 days. This reward will be automatically applied to your MyPanera account, with a minimum order requirement of $10. As a bonus, you'll also get a free pastry! Alternatively, join the Unlimited Sip Club (Panera's paid loyalty program) to enjoy $0 delivery fees for the entire year. Sign up for the annual plan (as the monthly plan does not include the $0 delivery fee benefit). Don't miss out, sign up now.

P.F. Changs

Enroll in the Platinum rewards program for a monthly fee of $6.99 and enjoy complimentary delivery without any order minimum when placing orders through the P.F. Changs website or app. P.F. Changs is just one example of restaurants providing free delivery as part of their paid subscription programs.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

For a limited duration, avail yourself of free delivery on orders surpassing $25 at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. To take advantage of this offer, you must place your order through the chains website or app. Please note that not all addresses qualify for delivery, and your minimum order must reach at least $25 before taxes.

Uber Eats

Navigate to the "Deals" tab on your Uber Eats app to discover free food delivery offers in your vicinity, similar to the recent one we found from Cracker Barrel. Many of these offers may have associated spending requirements, but who doesn't appreciate leftovers? The Uber Eats Deals tab also features other valuable finds, such as free menu items that can equate to significant savings, including free delivery. Alternatively, consider signing up for Uber One, a subscription program priced at $9.99 per month or an annual fee of $99.99. With Uber One, you can enjoy unlimited $0 food delivery when placing an order of at least $15.

Conclusion

The culinary landscape is evolving, and many top restaurants are adapting to the times by offering enticing incentives like free delivery. Whether through loyalty programs, limited-time promotions, or subscription services, these establishments are finding creative ways to enhance the dining experience for their customers. From the sizzling flavors of Dickey's Barbecue Pit to the global inspirations at P.F. Chang's, and the refreshing offerings of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, these top-notch restaurants are making it more convenient and affordable for food enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite dishes from the comfort of home.