When you see someone delivering for GrubHub in the pouring rain, cold, or blazing heat, there’s a good chance they’re just a person trying to make ends meet. Apps like Grubhub advertise flexibility and freedom. However, the truth for many drivers of color is far from it. In reality, they’re being exploited by a system designed to benefit tech companies at the expense of those doing the labor.

Low Pay, High Costs

Drivers often earn less than the minimum wage, especially when considering the time, gas, and car maintenance costs. Some deliveries pay only $3 to $5, and tips can be highly unpredictable. Many gig workers turn to this type of work after being denied opportunities for higher-paying or more stable jobs. As a result, this work feels less like a side hustle and more like a necessity for survival.

Long Wait Times, Unpaid Hours

There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at a restaurant and waiting 20–30 minutes for food that’s not ready. Especially when that wait time is unpaid. Drivers are only paid per delivery, not for the time they spend waiting in line. They’re not paid for driving to the pickup location or dealing with parking and traffic.

The Hidden Cost: Your Car

Every day, drivers put miles on their cars, consume fuel, and incur maintenance costs. Oil changes, tire replacements, and brake repairs happen more frequently than expected. When their car finally breaks down, many drivers find themselves stranded without the necessary funds for repairs. For some, a repair bill of $1,000 can be enough to put them out of work entirely.

More Money on Ads Than on Drivers

Grubhub spends millions of dollars on flashy ads, promotional codes, and referral bonuses to attract new drivers. However, the ones already on the road are underpaid. It’s a revolving door. They’d rather continue recruiting new workers than take care of the loyal and dependable drivers they already have.

Grubhub Doesn’t Care

Grubhub doesn’t cover your gas. They don’t help with repairs. There’s no health insurance, no time off, no guarantee of work. You’re just another number in their app. And while executives rake in millions, Black and Brown drivers struggle to scrape by. The gig economy paints a pretty picture of “be your own boss”—but for too many drivers, it’s a trap. A system that uses them up, burns out their vehicles, and spits them out when they’re no longer profitable.

Call to Action:
If you’re a driver, share your story. If you’re a customer, tip generously. And if you care about justice, demand better from companies like Grubhub.