Why are food delivery fees so high?

Delivery apps stack several fees on top of your food, and the menu prices in the app are often higher than at the counter. As of October 2026, DoorDash and Uber Eats both charge a delivery fee and a service fee on most orders, with extra charges for small orders and some long trips.

Here's what each app's own fee page lists:

• Delivery fee. DoorDash calls it a fixed fee per order that varies by merchant. Uber Eats says it varies by store based on your location and the availability of nearby delivery people.
• Service fee. DoorDash's varies with distance and order size. Uber's is a percentage of your subtotal with a minimum and maximum.
• Small order fee. Both apps add one when your subtotal falls below a set amount. Uber says adding items removes it.
• Long distance fee. DoorDash charges this when you order from farther away than usual.
• Other fees. DoorDash also lists a regulatory response fee, a weather impact fee during major storms and optional Express delivery.

The food itself can cost more too. Restaurants set their own app prices, and DoorDash tells merchants that marked-up prices are one of the top customer complaints it receives.

Are fees higher late at night

Neither app's fee page describes a late night surcharge. Uber ties its delivery fee partly to how many delivery people are nearby, and DoorDash says its fees depend on the merchant, your DashPass status and local rules. The total at checkout is the number to go by.

If the place is close, DoorDash suggests choosing Pickup to save on delivery and service fees. If you order often, see how DashPass and Uber One compare.