A Meal Delivery Service Can Be a Weeknight Dinner Game-Chaser

Convenient and practical, meal delivery services can be a weeknight dinner game-changer. They offer culinary inspiration, introduce new foods to your recipe repertoire and are often more cost-effective and healthier than takeout.

Most meal kit delivery services operate on a subscription model, where subscribers choose dishes from an online menu according to their dietary preferences. Some also provide fully prepared ready-to-eat meals.

What is a meal delivery service?

A meal delivery service delivers refrigerated or frozen semi-prepared or fully prepared meals to homes and offices. They often operate on a subscription model where customers sign up for a set number of weekly deliveries. Many services offer a range of menu options and can cater to specific diets such as vegan or vegetarian.

Other types of food delivery services include grocery delivery companies that work with brick and mortar stores or their own line of products to deliver groceries, pre-prepped meals, and more directly to customers’ homes. They usually use common mailing services for non-perishable items and may use dry ice to keep perishables cold. In most cases, customers are required to pay a delivery fee that covers gas or transportation costs, and an optional tip for the delivery person is customary although opinions on appropriate amounts vary widely.

Finally, there are restaurant aggregators that accept orders for delivery via phone, online portal or mobile apps and pass them on to restaurants for fulfillment. Services like Grubhub, Doordash and UberEats are examples of this type of food delivery service. Most of these services take a 20-30% cut of the total order value. Many meal delivery services allow subscribers to cancel, change their subscription or skip deliveries with no penalties and have easy-to-use customer support teams that can help with any questions or concerns.

How does a meal delivery service work?

Meal delivery services provide a way to add culinary inspiration and convenience to weeknight meals by providing pre-portioned ingredients and detailed recipes. They may also offer guidance on cooking techniques and help avoid food waste. Many meal kit delivery services cater to dietary preferences such as gluten-free, vegan, or ketogenic.

Grocery delivery companies deliver frozen or fresh groceries, grocery store staples, and prepared foods to customers. These deliveries are typically made by truck, van, or bicycle, and they can be delivered directly to the customer’s door or dropped off at a convenient pickup location. Some grocery delivery services even offer same-day deliveries.

On-demand food delivery is a growing industry that has disrupted the traditional market. These services accept orders through a website or mobile app and pass them on to partner restaurants for processing and delivery. Many large fast-food chains like Pizza Hut or Dominos do this on their own, while others rely on third-party services such as Zomato or DoorDash. Customers can pay for food by using their credit cards, digital wallets, or cash on delivery. Many food-delivery services require a minimum order value, while some charge a flat fee for deliveries.

Is it easy to cancel a meal delivery service?

Whether you’ve decided meal delivery services aren’t for you, need to switch your plan, or want to take a break, most companies make it easy to cancel. You can usually cancel, update your account information, or skip deliveries at any time, with no penalty fees. This flexibility is one of the main draws of most meal subscription services, and it’s important to be aware of how the process works before you sign up.

For example, with Factor Meals, you can easily change your meals, skip a week, or even cancel your delivery service by logging into your online account and selecting “Your Upcoming Orders.” You will be charged for the current week’s shipment no matter when you cancel, but you can also skip a week of deliveries to temporarily stop receiving a box without charging you for that week’s menu.

Similarly, HelloFresh lets subscribers adjust their plans, skip deliveries, or cancel their subscriptions with ease. If you decide you don’t want to use the service any longer, though, it’s important to cancel by five days before your next scheduled delivery. If you don’t, you’ll be charged for the upcoming delivery. For more tips on how to cancel your meal delivery service, read our guide here. Also, keep in mind that many meal delivery services offer free trials to new customers. Be sure to use these trial periods before you decide if the service is right for you.

What are the benefits of a meal delivery service?

A meal delivery service provides a convenient way to get healthy meals on the table. By eliminating the need to plan and shop for ingredients, spend time cooking, and clean up, you can save hours of time that could be spent on other important things — like working, spending time with family, exercising, or simply relaxing.

Additionally, using a meal delivery service can help you avoid food waste and reduce the cost of groceries. By providing portioned meals that meet your needs, you’ll only receive what you need and nothing extra. This can be especially helpful for those who have food allergies or restrictions, as most meal delivery services offer diet-specific options.

Meal delivery services are also great for those who want to try a new diet. By following a diet that is already prepared, you can be consistent with your goals and support your progress. Plus, you can avoid the stress of finding a recipe that works for your dietary restrictions and preferences.

Meal kit delivery services provide ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door for a fee. They’re often arranged at set intervals, such as weekly, and payments are typically made via a recurring subscription. Some services also offer add-ons, such as kitchen tools, pantry items, wine and snacks. Most companies allow customers to select what they would like to order and can pause or skip deliveries.