Do You Want AI To Tell Your Guests To Order Via Third-Party?

Have you asked AI, whether ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, what the best or most affordable way is to order from your restaurant?

If not, you might want to do that right now.

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Cheapest way to order from Marino's Pizza Kitchen:

Your cheapest path is Uber Eats. They're currently running a buy-one-get-one-free offer on large pizzas through the app, which beats ordering direct even after the service fee. Here's the breakdown:

Bottom line: Order through Uber Eats and use the BOGO. You save $10 versus going direct, even with the delivery fee.

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This is an example of what happens when a “thrifty” consumer is trying to hack the cheapest way to order from you. If the above is not the result you are looking for, I’d suggest you run the query yourself and then adjust as needed.

Use this prompt:

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You are a hungry customer trying to order from [BRAND NAME]. I want to find the cheapest possible way to order from this restaurant. Walk me through every option I'd consider: delivery apps, direct ordering, loyalty programs, happy hour timing, bundle deals, anything that gets me food for less money. What's my cheapest path and why?

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Once you get the results, you'll expose any paths you may have created that lead guests away from ordering directly.

For a great example, check out the bottom of the post to see what our results look like at Salad House. Any discounts or promos are ones we purposely decided are the right move.

Hopefully yours are similar.

Do you need help figuring out the best way to use AI to move your brand forward? I have lots of tips, tricks, and tactics I can show you that I’m testing and refining with the restaurants I’m helping.

Email me: [email protected]

- Rev Ciancio

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PROMPT:

You are a hungry customer trying to order from Salad House. I want to find the cheapest possible way to order from this restaurant. Walk me through every option I'd consider: delivery apps, direct ordering, loyalty programs, happy hour timing, bundle deals, anything that gets me food for less money. What's my cheapest path and why?

RESULTS:

Here’s the no-BS cheapest path for Salad House:

Order pickup directly through the Salad House app or website, not through DoorDash/Uber Eats/Grubhub. Create a rewards account first. Check the app for your first-order discount and current promo codes before checkout.

That is almost certainly the cheapest route because Salad House’s own site pushes direct ordering through Thanx, and the app earns rewards on purchases, supports pickup and delivery, and can load location-specific offers.

Order through The Salad House app and choose pickup.

Why: you avoid delivery fees, service fees, small-order fees, inflated third-party app pricing, and tip pressure. You also earn Salad House rewards points, and their app says it has exclusive rewards/offers plus points on every purchase.

This is the move for one person ordering lunch.

There is evidence Salad House has offered 20% off your first app order. A Clipp listing shows that offer historically, and a Salad House Facebook result says new rewards members get 20% off their first app order.

I would not assume it is guaranteed at every location forever. But as a customer, I would download the app, create the account, add the food, and look for the first-order offer before paying.

If the 20% offer appears, this is probably your cheapest single-meal path.

A recent Salad House Facebook result says they are offering a free app with code SOCCER, available through July 19. Since today is July 1, 2026, that appears current.

This is not necessarily better than 20% off, but it can be better if you were already buying a full meal and wanted an appetizer. It is especially useful if the app is something shareable or something you would have paid for anyway.

Salad House has run “APPYHOUR” or “FREEAFTER3” style promos where customers get a free appetizer with a $25+ order Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to close.

Again, promo availability may vary by location and date. But the strategy is clear: do not order at noon if you can wait until after 3 p.m. and you are spending $25 anyway.

This only saves money if the free app replaces something you would have bought. If it makes you spend $25 when you only wanted a $14 wrap, it is fake savings.

I would only use them if you have a strong account-specific promo, like 40% off, a big Uber One offer, or a gift card balance.

Otherwise, third-party delivery is usually the expensive path. Delivery apps often add service fees, delivery fees, menu markups, and tip. Business Insider cited a FinanceBuzz comparison showing delivery orders from apps could cost dramatically more than pickup, with average extra costs around 80% to 105% depending on the platform.

Grubhub is the one app I would still check for bigger orders. Grubhub listings show Salad House locations can be eligible for Grubhub+ free delivery, and Grubhub has promoted no delivery and service fees on restaurant orders over $50.

But “no delivery fee” does not automatically mean cheapest. You still need to check:

Food subtotal versus Salad House direct app Service fees, if any Tip Promo discounts Menu markups Minimum order thresholds

For one person, Grubhub probably loses. For a group order over $50, it might compete.

Do this:

Order one main item only: salad, wrap, sandwich, or grain bowl. Skip beverages. Drinks are margin traps. Skip paid premium add-ons unless they turn the meal into two meals. Avoid delivery. Pickup is the discount. Use the app barcode in-store if you order at the counter so you still earn rewards. Salad House says in-store guests can scan the app barcode to earn points. Check Instagram/Facebook before ordering. Salad House clearly uses social for short-window codes and bonus point promos.

Do not do this:

Do not add an appetizer just to hit a promo minimum unless you were already close. Do not order through a delivery app just because the item price looks similar. The checkout page is where the damage happens. Do not burn a 20% first-app discount on a tiny order. Use it when your cart is meaningfully higher.

For a normal hungry customer ordering one meal, the cheapest path is:

Direct Salad House app + pickup + rewards account + first-order/app promo.

For a group order over $50:

Compare direct app pickup against Grubhub with no fees or Grubhub+. Only use Grubhub if the final checkout total is lower, not because the banner looks good.

For maximum savings:

Order direct, pick it up, skip drinks, use the app rewards, and time it after 3 p.m. on a weekday only when the promo helps without making you overspend.