About GrubHub

GrubHub is a leading online and mobile food ordering and delivery marketplace in the United States. Founded in 2004, the company connects diners with local takeout and delivery restaurants. The platform allows users to browse menus, place orders, and track delivery from a wide network of over 300,000 restaurants across more than 4,000 U.S. cities. GrubHub’s core service simplifies the process of ordering food from diverse culinary options right to the customer’s doorstep, appealing strongly to a convenience-focused, often urban, audience.

GrubHub Affiliate Program Overview

The GrubHub Affiliate Program allows publishers to earn commissions by referring new customers to the platform who place their first qualifying order. It is a straightforward program ideal for those creating content around food, lifestyle, and local city guides. The program is generally hosted on a major global affiliate network, such as Impact Radius or FlexOffers, which handles the tracking, reporting, and payment processes.

Factor Detail
Industry Food Delivery, Online Marketplace, E-commerce
Product Type Service (Online Food Ordering and Delivery)
Affiliate Program Type Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) / Revenue Share (Converts of First Order)

GrubHub Affiliate Program Offers

The program provides affiliates with the necessary resources to promote the service and offers a standard cookie duration. Key program details are often determined by the affiliate network they utilize.

Factor Detail
Promotional Materials Text links, banner ads, and occasionally exclusive promotions/discounts for your audience.
Affiliate Cookie Duration Typically 30 days. This means you earn a commission if the referred user places their first order within 30 days of clicking your link.
Accepted Traffic Source Generally accepts a wide range, including websites, blogs, social media (like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc.), email marketing (non-spam), and content creators.
Accepted Countries Primarily the United States (US), as GrubHub’s service area is mainly within the US.
Explicit Content Not accepted. Programs generally prohibit explicit or adult content.
Religious or political content Not accepted. Programs typically avoid partnerships with sites featuring religious or political content due to brand safety guidelines.

GrubHub Affiliate Commissions & Payments

The commission structure for GrubHub is usually a flat rate per new customer’s first order, reflecting a focus on customer acquisition.

Factor Detail
MLM No. This is a standard affiliate marketing program, not a Multi-Level Marketing structure.
Commission Rate Typically a flat rate per new customer’s first order (e.g., $5.00 per qualified first order, though this can vary).
Commission Structure CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) – Affiliates earn a fixed payout for each new customer who completes a qualifying action (usually their first order).
Payout Frequency Monthly, managed by the affiliate network (e.g., Impact Radius).
Payout Methods Handled by the affiliate network (e.g., Direct Deposit, PayPal, Check, or Wire Transfer).
Minimum Payout Typically the standard minimum threshold of the hosting network, often around $50.00 or $100.00.

Suitable Affiliates for GrubHub Affiliate

The GrubHub program is best suited for content creators who can naturally integrate food, dining, and convenience into their content and who cater to a US-based audience.

  • Bloggers: Excellent for food bloggers, lifestyle blogs, and local city guides (e.g., “Best late-night food delivery in [City]”).
  • TikTokers/YouTubers/Video editors/Livestreamers (KOL/Influencers): Highly suitable, especially those focusing on food reviews, What I Eat in a Day content, local restaurant spotlights, cooking-show tie-ins, or “delivery challenge” videos.
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Suitable, as authentic, user-generated content showcasing a positive ordering experience is highly persuasive.

This program is less suitable for affiliates focused on highly technical niches, B2B services, or audiences located outside of GrubHub’s operational US cities.

GrubHub Affiliate Software

GrubHub typically uses an external, third-party Affiliate Management Software or Affiliate Network to run its program, as opposed to an in-house solution.

  • Software/Network Used: Commonly uses major networks like Impact Radius or FlexOffers. This provides affiliates with reliable tracking, transparent reporting, and timely payments through a globally trusted platform.

3 Alternatives for GrubHub Affiliate Program

Here are three common alternatives in the food and on-demand delivery industry for comparison: DoorDash, Uber Eats, and HelloFresh (a meal kit service, often a complementary niche).

Comparison Factor GrubHub Affiliate Program DoorDash Affiliate Program Uber Eats Affiliate Program HelloFresh Affiliate Program
Average Bill Varies by restaurant and city, typically $20 – $40. Varies by restaurant and city, typically $20 – $40. Varies by restaurant and city, typically $20 – $40. Higher, as it’s a weekly subscription. (e.g., $60 – $90 per box).
Entry Fees $0 (Free to join). $0 (Free to join). $0 (Free to join). $0 (Free to join).
Withdrawal Threshold Typically $50.00 or $100.00 (depends on the network). Typically $50.00 or $100.00 (depends on the network). Varies, typically $50.00 (depends on the network). Varies, typically $50.00 (depends on the network).
Payment Frequency Monthly. Monthly. Monthly. Monthly.
Commission Fixed flat rate per new customer’s first order (e.g., $5.00). Fixed flat rate per new customer’s first order (Varies, often higher than GrubHub). Fixed flat rate per new customer’s first order (Varies, competitive with DoorDash). High fixed CPA/Flat rate per new subscription (e.g., $15 – $30+).
Conversion Focuses on converting new users to place their first order. Focuses on converting new users to place their first order. Focuses on converting new users to place their first order. Focuses on converting users to a paid subscription (higher effort, but higher payout).
Marketing Materials Text links, banners, some promotional discounts. Text links, banners, frequently offers exclusive discounts/free delivery offers. Text links, banners, regular new customer incentives. High-quality branded banners, custom landing pages, and appealing discounts/free boxes.