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Home › Pay › Nickel-and-dime tactics › App price markups
Prices that hide or grow

Why the same item costs more in the app than in the store

Delivery and ordering apps are convenient, but the prices inside them are often higher than what you would pay at the counter or on the shelf. That markup comes before delivery fees, service fees and tips, so it is easy to miss. Knowing it is there helps you decide when the convenience is worth it.

Where you’ll see it

Menu prices higher on delivery appsMany restaurants charge more for the same dish on delivery apps than in the dining room, partly to cover the commission the app takes. The app may not point this out.
Grocery items marked up for deliverySome grocery delivery services list items at prices above the store shelf price. A small note may say prices can differ from in-store, but the gap is easy to overlook.
Fees stacked on top of markupsDelivery fees, service fees, small-order fees and busy-time fees are often added at checkout, on top of menu prices that were already higher than in the restaurant.
Free delivery that is not freeA free delivery offer may still come with a service fee and higher item prices, so the total can be well above what you would pay picking up yourself.
Pickup orders through third-party appsEven when you pick up the food yourself, ordering through a third-party app instead of the restaurant's own site can mean higher item prices or added fees.
Different prices in the store's own appSome chains set different prices in their own app than at the counter, sometimes lower with app deals and sometimes higher, so the cheapest way to order varies.

What it really costs them

Delivery is real work. Drivers, the app and card processing all cost money, and apps often take a sizable commission from restaurants. Raising menu prices inside the app is one way restaurants cover that cost, so a higher price is not always unfair.

The issue is that the markup is hidden in plain sight. You see the delivery and service fees, but not that the burger itself costs more than at the counter. When the extra cost is spread across item prices and several fees, it is hard to know what convenience is really costing you.

How to spot it

  • A note says prices may be higher than in-store.
  • Item prices end in odd amounts compared with the posted menu.
  • Checkout adds a service fee on top of a delivery fee.
  • Free delivery comes with a service fee or a minimum order.
  • The restaurant's own website shows lower prices for the same items.
  • Your total is much higher than the menu prices you remember.

What you can do

  1. Compare one or two item prices in the app with the restaurant's own menu or website.
  2. Order directly from the restaurant or store when it offers pickup or its own delivery.
  3. Pick up the order yourself when you can, to skip markups and fees.
  4. Look at the final total, including fees and tip, before you tap order.
  5. Check whether a paid delivery membership actually saves you money on your typical orders.
  6. Report fees that were hidden until the last screen to the FTC or your state attorney general.
Things you can say:
  • “Are your prices the same in the app as at the counter?”
  • “Is it cheaper if I order from you directly?”

Rules and your rights

No federal law requires app prices to match store prices, so charging more in an app is generally legal if prices are shown. The FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, in effect since May 2025, covers only live-event tickets and short-term lodging, not food delivery. Some states go further: California's hidden fee law requires advertised prices, including a delivery platform's price for its own service, to include mandatory fees. Hidden or misleading charges can be reported to the FTC or your state attorney general.

Related common problems

Related guides

Common questions

Why are prices higher on delivery apps than in the restaurant?

Many restaurants raise prices on delivery apps to help cover the commission the apps charge them. The apps then add their own delivery and service fees. The result is that the same meal can cost noticeably more through an app than at the counter, even before tip.

Is it legal for apps to charge more than the store?

Generally yes, as long as the prices are shown to you. Businesses can set different prices for different sales channels. What can cross the line is hiding mandatory fees until the end or misleading you about costs, which some state laws specifically address.

What is the cheapest way to order takeout?

Usually it is ordering directly from the restaurant and picking it up yourself. That avoids app markups and delivery fees. If you want delivery, compare the restaurant's own delivery option with the apps, and check the final total, not just the menu price.

Had this happen? Sharing what you were charged helps others spot it.

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Sources: FTC: Rule banning junk ticket and hotel fees (Dec. 2024) ↗ · California Attorney General: SB 478 hidden fees FAQ ↗

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Practices and prices change; check the business’s current terms. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.