I never planned to become a food delivery driver. It started out as a side hustle — something to fill in the gaps when other income streams were slow. But to my surprise, it actually turned into a steady, flexible way to earn real money.
I’m talking £480 a week, consistently, just by delivering food locally on my own schedule.
If you’ve got a smartphone, a bike or car, and a bit of hustle, you can do this too. Here’s how I got started, what the work is really like, and which delivery apps I recommend in the UK.
Why I Gave Food Delivery a Go
At first, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed the pay would be poor, or that I’d have to work insane hours. But I was wrong.
I signed up out of curiosity — and within a week, I was delivering on my own schedule, getting paid weekly, and enjoying the fact that I could work solo, outdoors, and on my own terms.
I liked it so much, I stuck with it. On average, I earn between £450 and £500 a week, depending on how many hours I put in.
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My Setup
- I used a second-hand e-bike (which made hills 100x easier)
- A decent phone mount and power bank
- A thermal delivery bag (provided by most apps)
- I stuck to the same area to avoid wasting time or fuel
I usually worked lunch and dinner shifts — about 5–6 hours a day, 5 days a week — and that got me to £480/week.
Which Delivery Apps I Use in the UK
Here are the ones I’ve worked with, and still recommend:
Deliveroo
The most consistent of all. You set your own hours and log in when you want. The app is easy to use, and there’s always demand during peak times.
- I averaged £10–£14 per hour
- Paid weekly directly to my bank
- Support team is helpful if anything goes wrong
Uber Eats
Uber Eats lets you deliver using a bike, e-bike, scooter, or car. It’s flexible and fast-paced — great for urban areas.
- You get delivery requests straight to your phone
- Payment is instant (if you use Uber Instant Pay)
- They offer promotions and bonuses during busy hours
Just Eat
This one works a bit differently. You’re usually on a shift rota and get paid a base hourly rate, plus bonuses. It’s a good option if you want more stable income.
- Guaranteed hourly pay (in some areas)
- Uniform and delivery kit provided
- You apply and get placed in a local zone
How Much Can You Really Earn?
This is based on my own actual earnings:
- Lunch shifts (11am–2pm): £30–£45
- Dinner shifts (5pm–9pm): £45–£65
- Occasional weekend shifts: £80+ in a day
Most weeks I worked around 25–30 hours total, and my average take-home was £480, before expenses.
Expenses to Keep in Mind
It’s not all profit. Here’s what I budget for:
- Bike maintenance or petrol
- Phone data
- Power banks or charging
- Occasional food/snack stops
But even after deducting these, I was still taking home £400+ most weeks, which felt amazing for a job I could literally start and stop whenever I liked.
Tips to Maximise Your Earnings
From trial and error, here’s what worked best for me:
- Work the lunch + dinner rushes (11am–2pm and 5pm–9pm)
- Use multiple apps — if Deliveroo is quiet, switch to Uber Eats
- Know your zone — avoid long-distance orders
- Track your hours and income with a simple spreadsheet
- Get friendly with local restaurants — they often prioritise good riders
- Use promotions and quests (some apps offer bonuses if you complete X deliveries in a timeframe)
Is Food Delivery Right for You?
It’s not glamorous, and it’s not always easy — especially in the rain. But it’s one of the most flexible, low-barrier ways to earn real money fast.
Whether you’re:
- A student
- In between jobs
- Looking for extra weekend cash
- Saving for something big
- Or just want to be your own boss
Food delivery in the UK is still a solid option. No interviews. No CV. Just sign up, turn on the app, and go.
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Final Thoughts
I never thought I’d earn nearly £500 a week delivering food. But here I am, doing just that. It fits around my life, not the other way around — and that freedom is priceless.
So if you’re looking for a flexible way to make real money on your terms, I’d say: give it a shot. Worst case? You burn a few calories and figure out it’s not for you. Best case? You walk away with a full wallet and zero office drama.
Let’s keep growing it cheap — and fast.
