A new WIRED guide to Uber Eats promotions reads like a consumer coupon roundup, but it also sketches the business model behind the delivery service. Uber Eats, which launched in 2014, is using steep first-order discounts to bring in new users and a paid subscription tier to keep them ordering.
The discounts are automatic for first-time customers: 30–50% off a first order, with up to $20 off rides or $15 off Uber Eats. The bigger play is Uber One, a $10 monthly membership that includes $0 delivery fees on eligible orders, up to 10% off Uber Eats purchases, and 5% back in credits on rides. The guide claims members save $29 per month on average, and students can get the membership for $5 a month after a four-week free trial.
Beyond restaurants, the guide highlights grocery and retail delivery, with same-day delivery in as little as 25 minutes, plus Starbucks delivery. It also promotes the courier side, noting that drivers can use a car, bike, or foot, see earnings before accepting a job, and cash out up to six times a day with Instant Pay. For a business section, the takeaway is that Uber Eats is not just a food-ordering app; it is a platform for local delivery and gig work, funded by a mix of one-time discounts and recurring subscription fees.