The True Cost of Deliveries: Panda Express
San Jose, CA
Since the introduction of their tangy orange chicken in 1983, Panda Express has paved the way for American Chinese fusion cuisine and has become an international chain. While you have access to a variety of quirky merchandise options on the website, you may be craving what Panda is known for: their delicious food. This is an analysis of the different delivery options for fulfilling your Panda Express cravings.
Web Traffic to PandaExpress.com by Country:
Source: https://www.similarweb.com/website/pandaexpress.com/#overview
Logistics
While Panda Express has locations throughout the United States, I have chosen to analyze the San Jose Panda Express to a delivery address in downtown San Jose. The restaurant is 0.5 miles away and delivery is available on most delivery platforms. I am ordering the 1 item bowl and increasing the order quantity to compare between <$10, $15, and $50 order charges:
Order & Cost from Restaurant:
#1. Direct From Restaurant (Recommended)
When you order directly from Panda, you receive your food with a significantly lower price tag. Ordering directly from the restaurant has a $1.95 delivery fee, a $0.84 service fee, and a $1.05 default tip - Having a total of $3.84 additional costs. However, Panda Express only accepts delivery orders greater than $10.
#2. Postmates
Postmates offers a delicious Panda Express delivery with the least cost from 3rd party source. Postmates has a $1.99 delivery fee, a small cart fee of $1.99, an $1.85 service fee, no default tip, and a markup of $1.45 per bowl. This totals to $7.28 in additional charges.
#3. Uber Eats
Uber Eats comes in as a close second with its delivery pricing model based on distance from the location. This Panda Express location has a delivery fee of $0.49, a 15% service fee of $1.26, a 15% default tip of $2.08, a $3 small order fee, and markup of $1.40 per bowl, creating a total an additional charge of $8.23.
#4. GrubHub
GrubHub presents the most low-cost option and short delivery time of 20-30 minutes. GrubHub prides themselves on 70%+ accurate order rate form Taco Bell, and they offer no markup. The delivery fee is $2.99, the small order fee is $2, the 17% service fee amounts to $0.85, the default tip is $3.12, and a $1.45 markup per bowl - creating a total additional charge of $10.41.
#5. DoorDash
With the highest delivery costs, Doordash is the least recommended option. It has a $5.99 delivery fee, a small order fee of $2.50, a 20% service fee of $0.92, a default tip of $3, and a markup of $1.40 per bowl. This totals to $13.81 in additional charges.
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Summary
While you crave sipping on that delicious Panda Express crunch with your friends, try weighing your delivery options and make sure that you are within the delivery zone
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