What are food delivery promotions?
Food delivery promotions are special offers designed to increase delivery orders, increase order size, or encourage repeat delivery customers (examples - bundles, free delivery, $ off minimum spend, or "next order" deals).
Food Delivery Promotions That Drive More Orders
Overview
A good food delivery promotion isn't just "take 20% off." It's a planned offer that makes it easier for someone to order from you today - and more likely to order again. If your promotion only lowers the price, you may get a quick spike in orders, but you also risk attracting customers who disappear as soon as the deal ends. The goal is to create a promotion that grows delivery demand without turning your delivery business into a discount machine.
At a high level, strong delivery promotions do three jobs -
1) They reduce decision friction. Delivery customers are usually choosing between multiple places in minutes. A good promotion makes the choice feel simple - This is a solid deal, "This bundle feeds everyone," or "Free delivery makes this easy." The best offers are easy to understand in one sentence and don't require extra math.
2) They increase the value of the order, not just lower the price. Promotions work best when they nudge behavior that helps your business - like adding a side, upgrading to a combo, or ordering for two instead of one. That's why bundles, "spend X get Y," and add-on deals often beat blanket discounts. You're guiding the customer toward a better order, not just a cheaper one.
3) They build repeat ordering habits. The real win in delivery is repeat customers. A good promotion has a "next step," such as a bounce-back offer for the next order, a weekly special customers remember, or a loyalty reward that makes returning feel worthwhile. If your promotion only targets the first order, you'll constantly pay to re-acquire customers.
A quick way to judge any promotion is to ask - Does this help me get more orders, bigger orders, or more repeat orders? If the answer is "none of the above" and it only cuts price, it's probably not a good promotion. The best delivery promotions are simple, controlled, and designed to create profitable habits - not just short-term volume.
Set Your Promotion Goals
Before you choose any food delivery promotion ideas, set your goals and rules. This is the difference between a promotion that reliably drives more orders and one that creates confusion, margin loss, or promo abuse. Most delivery promotions fail because the offer is picked first ("Let's do 20% off!") and the guardrails are added later - if at all.
Start by picking one primary goal for the promotion. If you try to accomplish everything at once, you usually accomplish nothing well. Choose the main outcome you want -
1. Get more orders - You need an offer that reduces hesitation (first-order deals, free delivery, simple bundles).
2. Increase average order value - You need an offer that encourages add-ons or larger baskets (family meals, spend-and-get offers, tiered deals).
3. Increase repeat orders - You need an offer that gives customers a reason to come back soon (next-order promos, short-expiration bounce-backs, loyalty perks).
Next, set simple rules that protect your business and keep the promotion easy to understand. Strong delivery promotions often include -
1. Minimum order amount - Prevents small, unprofitable orders (example. "$5 off $25+").
2. Eligible items - Keep discounts off low-margin items if needed, or create a promo menu section.
3. Delivery zone rules - If you have far zones that cost more, limit the promo to your core radius.
4. Limits per customer - One use per customer helps control repeat abuse.
5. Time window - Running promos during off-peak times can increase orders without cannibalizing peak demand.
Finally, decide how long it runs and what "success" means before you start. A good baseline is a limited-time run (like 7-14 days) with clear targets such as - order count increase, average ticket increase, or a repeat-order lift. When your goal, rules, and success metrics are clear, choosing the right promotion becomes much easier - and you avoid discounts that create lots of activity but little profit.
First-Order Promotions
If your goal is to get more delivery orders, start with first-order promotions. New customers have the most hesitation- they don't know if your food travels well, how fast delivery will be, or if the portions are worth the price. A good first-order promotion reduces that risk and gives them a clear reason to try you today. The key is to keep it simple, set guardrails, and avoid discounts that are so large you lose money on every new customer.
Here are practical first-order food delivery promotion ideas you can run -
1) "$ off" with a minimum order - This is one of the easiest offers for customers to understand and for you to control. Example. $5 off $25+ or $10 off $40+. The minimum helps protect profitability and encourages a larger basket.
2) First-order free item - Instead of discounting the whole order, offer a free add-on with a first delivery order - something inexpensive for you but appealing to customers, like a side, drink, sauce flight, or dessert bite. Example - "Free fries with your first delivery order (min $20)."
3) First-order free delivery - Free delivery is a strong "try us" message because it removes a fee customers dislike. Use rules like a minimum order amount and a limited delivery radius so the offer doesn't become expensive.
4) Intro bundle for new customers - Bundles reduce decision fatigue and highlight your best items. Create a simple "starter" combo that's easy to order and priced to feel like a deal (without heavy discounting). Example - "Dinner for 2 Bundle" or "Game Night Pack."
5) First-order percentage off - Percent-off can work, but it's the easiest way to over-discount. If you use it, add protections- a minimum order and a maximum discount cap (example. "15% off up to $8").
One rule matters most - make the promotion easy to claim and easy to explain in one sentence. If customers need to read fine print or do math, conversions drop. When first-order promos are clear and controlled, they can reliably bring in new delivery customers without damaging your margins.
Promotions That Increase Average Order Value
Once you're getting delivery orders, the next fastest way to grow sales is to increase average order value (AOV). The best delivery promotions don't just make the order cheaper - they guide customers toward a bigger, better basket in a way that still feels like a deal. This is especially important in delivery because fees and packaging costs can make small orders unprofitable. AOV-focused promotions help you protect margins while improving the customer experience.
Here are simple food delivery promotion ideas that increase order size -
1) Bundle deals - Bundles work because they reduce decision fatigue and set a default larger order. Create combos that match real ordering behavior. entree + side + drink, or a family pack with multiple mains. Make the bundle price feel clean and obvious (e.g., $29.99 Dinner for Two), and include items that travel well.
2) "Spend X, get Y" offers - This is one of the most controllable promotions for restaurants. Examples - "Spend $30, get a free side" or "Spend $45, get a free dessert." You choose the minimum and the reward, so you can protect profitability. Customers also understand it quickly, which increases conversion.
3) Add-on incentives - Use small, targeted discounts that encourage extras without discounting the whole ticket. Examples - "Add a drink for $1", "50% off dessert with any entree", or "$2 off appetizers when you spend $25+. This works well because customers already have a main item in mind - your promotion simply nudges them to complete the meal.
4) Tiered deals - Tiered promos guide customers upward -
Spend $25+ - get $3 off
Spend $40+ - get $7 off
Spend $60+ - get $12 off
This approach increases AOV while letting you control discount cost as orders get larger.
5) Family meal / group order promotions - If you serve items that work for sharing, create a "group night" offer that's easy to understand and priced around common household ordering patterns. Position it as convenience, not discount, "Feeds 4" or "Feeds 6."
A simple rule - AOV promotions should push customers toward a complete meal - not a cheaper version of what they already planned to buy. When your offers encourage add-ons, bundles, and higher minimums, you get more revenue per delivery run and a healthier delivery business overall.
Promotions That Increase Repeat Delivery Orders
Getting a first delivery order is good. Getting that customer to order again is where delivery becomes predictable and profitable. Repeat customers usually cost less to acquire, order faster, and are more likely to add items they already trust. That's why some of the best food delivery promotions focus less on the first purchase and more on what happens after it.
Here are practical promotion ideas that increase repeat delivery orders without relying on constant deep discounts -
1) "Next order" offers - Include a bounce-back offer that only becomes available after the customer completes their first delivery order. Example. "$5 off your next delivery order (valid for 7 days, $25 minimum)." This creates a clear reason to come back soon, and the minimum protects your margin.
2) Short-expiration promo codes - Expiration drives action. A delivery customer might like your food but forget about you next week. A short window keeps you top of mind. Examples. 3-10 day expiration, with a minimum order and "one per customer" rule.
3) Weekly recurring deals - Pick one consistent day and run the same simple offer every week. Customers remember routines. Examples -
- "Tuesday Delivery Bundle Night"
- "Thursday Free Dessert with $30+"
Keep it predictable, not complicated. The goal is to create a weekly ordering habit.
4) Delivery loyalty perks - If you offer loyalty, make it meaningful for delivery customers. Ideas include -
- Earn a reward after X delivery orders (not just dollars spent)
- Free delivery after a certain number of orders
- VIP perk for frequent customers (early access to limited-time bundles)
5) Re-order promotions - Sometimes the best promotion is convenience plus a small incentive. For example- "Reorder your last meal and get a free drink" or "Add a side to any reorder for $1." This works because repeat customers already know what they want - your offer nudges them to complete the meal and hit a better ticket.
6) Win-back offers for customers who stopped ordering - Set a rule, if someone hasn't ordered in 30-45 days, send a targeted offer that's strong but controlled (minimum + cap). Example. "Come back this week. $8 off $35+ (one-time)."
The main strategy is simple - use promotions to create a second order quickly, then reinforce a routine. If you can reliably convert a first-time delivery customer into a second-time customer, your promotions start building long-term delivery growth instead of short-term spikes.
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Time-Based Promotions
Time-based promotions are one of the smartest ways to use food delivery promotions because they can increase orders when you actually need them - without discounting during your busiest periods. Instead of running the same deal all day, you use promotions to shift demand into slower windows, keep your kitchen productive, and build a steady delivery rhythm across the week.
Start by identifying your slow periods. For many restaurants, delivery demand drops during mid-afternoon, early week (Monday-Tuesday), or late night (depending on concept and location). Your goal is to create a reason to order during those specific windows, not just "sometime."
Here are time-based delivery promotion ideas that work well -
1) Off-peak delivery deals - Offer a simple incentive during a short window, like 2-4 hours. Examples -
- "2-5 PM. Free side with $25+ delivery orders"
- "3-6 PM. $5 off $30+"
Off-peak offers keep your team moving and can reduce idle labor.
2) Slow-day specials - Pick one slow day and make it consistent. Customers learn patterns quickly. Examples -
- "Monday Bundle Night"
- "Tuesday. Free delivery with $20+"
Keep it the same each week so it becomes a habit.
3) Early-week "plan ahead" promotions - Some customers want a reason to decide dinner earlier. Try messaging like -
- "Order before 4 PM for $X off dinner delivery"
This can smooth out order flow and help you plan prep.
4) Weather-based messaging - You don't need complex automation to benefit from weather. When it's cold, rainy, or windy, remind customers that delivery is the easy option and pair it with a small incentive. Example- "Stay in tonight - free dessert with $30+ delivery."
5) Event-based promotions - Create delivery bundles tied to common events customers already care about - game nights, local events, or holiday weekends. The key is to make the offer match the occasion - group bundles, party packs, or "feeds 4" deals.
One important rule - time-based promotions should be narrow and controlled. If you run discounts all day, you'll cannibalize peak sales and train customers to wait. But if you target slow windows with a clear offer and a minimum order amount, you can add orders that wouldn't have happened otherwise - making delivery more consistent and more profitable.
Where to Promote Delivery Offers
A strong delivery promotion won't do much if customers never see it. Restaurants often post a deal once on social media and expect orders to roll in. In reality, you need to place your offer where customers are already making decisions - especially when they're hungry and ready to order. The best approach is to focus on a few high-impact channels and repeat the message consistently.
Here are the most practical places to promote food delivery promotions -
1) Your online ordering page - If someone is already on your ordering site, they're close to buying. Put the promotion where it's impossible to miss - a banner at the top, a pop-up (used carefully), or a dedicated "Deals" section. Keep the offer short and clear, and make sure the promo applies automatically or uses a simple code.
2) Your website homepage and delivery page - Many customers check your website before ordering. Add your delivery promo near your "Order Online" button and on any delivery-specific page. If your promotion changes weekly, update it on a set schedule so it stays current.
3) Google Business Profile - Customers searching for food nearby often find you through Google. Use your Google Business Profile to highlight delivery availability and current offers. Post updates, confirm your ordering link is correct, and make your delivery messaging consistent with what customers see elsewhere.
4) Social media - Social is helpful, but consistency beats creativity. Pin your delivery promotion to the top of your profile, and post it multiple times per week using different formats - short videos, photos of bundles, menu close-ups, and simple text overlays. Always include a direct "Order for delivery" call-to-action.
5) Email and SMS - Email and text work well because you're speaking to people who already know you. Use short messages with one offer and one link. Timing matters- send before common ordering times (late morning for lunch, mid-afternoon for dinner). Don't overload messages - simple wins.
6) In-store promotions - Use bag inserts, receipts, table tents, and signage to promote delivery deals. This turns existing customers into delivery customers. Example - "Get $5 off your first delivery order - scan here."
The main idea - don't spread yourself thin. Put your best delivery promotion in the places customers already look - ordering page, Google, and direct channels - and repeat it enough times that it becomes familiar. Familiar offers get used.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I promote my delivery offers?
Start with your online ordering page, website, and Google Business Profile. Then use social media, email/SMS, and in-store signage/bag inserts to reach both new and existing customers.
What is the best food delivery promotion to get more orders fast?
A simple first-order offer usually works best, like "$5 off $25+$ or "free delivery on your first order," because it reduces risk for new customers and is easy to understand.
What delivery promotions increase average order value?
Bundles, family meals, "spend X get Y," add-on deals (discounted sides/drinks), and tiered offers (bigger savings at higher totals) are strong options for increasing ticket size.
What delivery promotions help increase repeat orders?
Next order" offers, short-expiration bounce-back codes, weekly recurring deals, and loyalty perks designed for delivery are the most reliable repeat-order strategies.
