Grubhub Waitlist 2024 [How Long It Is & How To Get Approved]

Finding myself on the Grubhub waitlist was disheartening at first. After all, I'd been super eager to get behind the wheel and start driving for one of America's favorite food delivery services.

I quickly learned that rather than viewing the waitlist as a hindrance, it's an opportunity to prepare myself further for the journey ahead.

This is certainly not just my story - it seems to be a shared experience among many new drivers joining the Grubhub delivery team. The Grubhub waitlist has its function and reasons that might baffle newcomers initially.

But believe me, understanding its purpose can make your wait more manageable and less intimidating.

What Is The Grubhub Waitlist?

The Grubhub waitlist is an interim stage for drivers who have applied to join the Grubhub team but haven't been accepted immediately.

This could be for various reasons, such as an influx of applicants or a lack of immediate demand in your area.

What does it mean? Essentially, your application is on hold until conditions favor your onboarding. However, being on this waitlist doesn’t guarantee acceptance or rejection – it merely means delaying the application process.

Thus, patience and understanding are your best allies during this period.

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What's the Reason for GrubHub's Waitlist?

Understanding why the waitlist exists can make the waiting process less daunting. Here are the key reasons you might be on the Grubhub waitlist:

Lack of Demand In Your Area

One of the main reasons you could find yourself in limbo is a lack of demand within your designated driving area.

Grubhub aims to maintain an equilibrium between supply (i.e., drivers) and demand (i.e., orders) in each location.

Therefore, applicants may find themselves on a waitlist if there aren't enough orders to justify bringing on new drivers.

This approach ensures that existing drivers have ample opportunities to make deliveries and earn fair wages without oversaturation of drivers in one area.

So, despite your eagerness to deliver immediately, understand that Grubhub wants to keep a healthy balance. This is for your benefit, too - more demand means better earnings!

Limited Number of Drivers

Apart from demand-related issues, sometimes it's logistics. A particular area might only accommodate a specific number of active drivers at a given time due to operational constraints or regulatory obligations by city or state legislatures.

Consequently, applicants might end up on the waitlist until there's room for more drivers.

Other Reasons Like Paperwork And Onboarding Process

You might be temporarily placed on the waitlist due to potential issues surrounding your paperwork or during the onboarding process itself.

Grubhub has stringent rules about its driver’s qualifications and this involves going through proper channels for background checks and driving record review. This process can often lead to unexpected delays before approval.

Similarly, if vast numbers of applications are being processed parallelly, this could potentially slow down your application process, causing a temporary hold-up, i.e., landing you in the waiting list.

While these factors may affect how long you’re stuck in line before officially becoming a Grubhub driver, remember that it’s all part of ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at success with food delivery.

Why Am I On A Grubhub Waitlist?

Grubhub truly values the experience of its drivers and customers. To avoid oversaturation of drivers, Grubhub uses a waitlist system.

This is particularly helpful in ensuring existing drivers have plenty of opportunities to earn a decent income without facing too much competition for orders.

You may find yourself on the Grubhub waitlist because the demand for drivers in your area isn't high enough at the moment you apply.

Essentially, the need for new Grubhub drivers is determined by customer demand and driver availability.

So, new applicants could be placed on a waitlist if there's an abundance of active drivers relative to local order requests.

Moreover, as per Grubhub's official support, they also consider other factors, such as pending driver applications and paperwork, in their decision-making process to put you in a pending status.

In short, rest assured that being on a waitlist doesn’t equate to rejection. There’s no immediate need for more drivers in your area, or your application process isn't completed yet. However, Grubhub encourages applicants not to be discouraged by this temporary status.

They promise that as soon as demand increases in your respective area or necessary paperwork has been signed off, they'll get back to you promptly - giving you the green light to start delivering delicious meals.

How Long Is The Grubhub Waitlist? - How long will I have to wait?

The duration one might spend on the Grubhub waitlist isn't definite, as it depends on various factors.

These may include the current demand for drivers in your area and the number of people who applied before you. This detail adds a layer of mystery to the process, making it hard to pinpoint an exact duration.

Imagine you've submitted your application and soon find yourself on this waitlist. The primary question becomes, how long will I have to wait?

While it's really challenging to predict concrete timelines, some nuances about the process might prove beneficial.

Firstly, consider your application, among others. Naturally, if you applied first or there were fewer applications, then your chances of sooner onboarding could be higher.

Next is the demand in your region. If there's an immediate need for drivers in your area due to substantial food delivery orders coming through, you might be able to shred off some waiting time.

But what if your application exceeds 30 days on this list? Grubhub takes it upon itself to clarify things a bit for their eager would-be drivers.

They'll ask whether you’d like to remain on the waitlist or prefer getting your application back. Do note that staying on encourages more time before getting greenlit, while opting out means starting fresh when you reapply later.

The waiting time differs from applicant to applicant and largely varies across territories based on requirement fluctuations and application status. Therefore, brace yourself for an unpredictable period filled with anticipation.

What Are The Requirements For Partnering With Grubhub?

Before you can move from the waitlist into active driving for Grubhub, you must make sure you fully meet all of their application requirements.

These prerequisites are categorized into requirements for all delivery partners and additional ones based on the means of delivery - by car or bicycle.

Must for All Delivery Partners

These are some of the initial necessities all applicants must fulfill, regardless of your chosen method to deliver those delectable meals:

• Be 18+ years of age: You must be at least 18. This is a legal requirement in many states for independent contractors and ensures that all partners are legally adults.
• Have a Compatible Smartphone: The Grubhub Driver app is your go-to tool for managing orders, so it’s integral that you own either an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher or an Android smartphone with 5.0 or higher.
• Active Data Plan: Given that the smartphone app is pivotal in managing deliveries, having an operational data plan is essential. This enables real-time updates about order status, delivery routes, and communication with customers and support staff.
• Checking Account for Direct Deposit: Your earnings need to be deposited somewhere! For this reason, every driver must have a checking account suitable for direct deposits.

Other Requirements For Car Delivery Partners

If you're like me, planning to use a car as your delivery vehicle, here are some extra requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License: You must have an original and valid driver's license because safe driving is critical in this job! If you're 19 or older, you should have had your license good for at least two years. If you're 18 years old, then one-year validity is acceptable.
• Auto Insurance: As a driver on roads full of unpredictable situations, ensuring your vehicle is insured is critical as per Grubhub guidelines.

Bicycle Requirments

For those environmentally-friendly folks preferring pedal power over horsepower, these additional prerequisites apply:

• Valid Identification: You must have a valid State ID proving you’re entitled to work.
• Driver's License: It might sound odd to need a driver's license while delivering by bike! Yet Grubhub requires bike couriers also possess this.
• Passport (US or Global): An original and valid passport is another identification document required by Grubhub.

So there you go! Before bemoaning being stuck on the waitlist, make sure these essentials are fulfilled ahead of the game. It'll surely make your transition from applying to actively delivering smooth once your time comes.

What Is The Status Of My Grubhub Application?

You are not alone if you have submitted your application and wonder about the status. Many applicants share this concern, and it’s only natural to be curious about what’s happening behind the scenes.

Fortunately, Grubhub allows applicants to have an easy and convenient way to check the status of their applications.

The first important thing is that Grubhub provides a user-friendly applicant portal where you can track your application status from the comfort of your digital devices.

With just a few clicks, you can get real-time updates on where your application sits, which can be reassuring in your waiting phase.

Each applicant will receive a unique link for tracking purposes after submission of their application. This link is included in every email from Grubhub and via SMS when you first apply.

Here's How to Use Your Unique Link:

• Open Your Email or SMS: Look for any email or text message sent by Grubhub immediately after applying.
• Find And Click On Your Unique Link: You'll find your unique applicant link within this communication. Please click on it.
• Check The Application Status Directly: Once you get redirected to the applicant portal via this link, look around for any recent updates regarding your application status.

Routinely checking your status isn't just recommended; it's equally beneficial. It keeps you informed directly from the horse's mouth without relying on hearsay or speculations about where things stand with GrubHub.

This way, rather than being anxious, you can put that energy into more productive use while waiting for GrubHub to decide.

Grubhub Alternatives

While waiting for your spot on the Grubhub driver's roster, exploring other food delivery services can be an excellent way to keep your wheels spinning.

Here are some popular alternatives you may want to consider:

DoorDash

DoorDash is a significant player across the US and Canada, boasting top restaurants and an accessible app for customers, delivering a smooth and straightforward experience.

Driver perks include being able to drive any vehicle or even use motorcycles or bicycles in some cities. Just like GrubHub, you get to earn tips plus base pay.

Postmates

One of the attractive features of Postmates is the vast array of items you can deliver. From food to groceries to retail, your roles are diversified. You get paid for waiting time at restaurants and stores, which makes it a more rewarding experience.

ChowNow

ChowNow links customers to local restaurants and promotes unique cuisines in your area. The advantage here is that drivers tend to have shorter, more localized runs due to the platform's emphasis on hyper-local deliveries.

Caviar

Caviar is known for partnering with higher-end restaurants giving its drivers access to potentially more significant tips.

However, it has a slightly more rigorous application process than Grubhub, requiring an in-person orientation and an inspection of your vehicle.

Uber Eats

Uber's food delivery branch, Uber Eats, offers flexibility where you can also make private ride requests between deliveries if you want some variety in your workflow. Plus, Uber’s app technology is top-notch.

Deliveroo

Primarily active in Europe but rapidly expanding worldwide, Deliveroo allows you three different work models: hourly employment contracts or per-delivery payment as a freelancer or as an employee with fixed working hours.

Swiggy

For those based out of India, Swiggy provides excellent opportunities with flexible working hours and plenty of incentives during peak times and holidays.

GoPuff

What makes GoPuff stand out is its warehousing system. By directly stocking goods within local GoPuff facilities, drivers have set pickup destinations, making the process much quicker than traditional restaurant orders.

Just Eat

A UK favorite that's expanded internationally – including the US – Just Eat specializes mainly in restaurant fare covering a wide breadth of cuisines.

Partnering with them means potentially high-value orders from customers looking for more than fast food.

EatStreet

While smaller than big names like Uber Eats or DoorDash, EatStreet appeals greatly to students being available across many US campus towns.

Munchery

Aside from standard restaurant orders, Munchery also gives you the option of delivering meal kits and even cooking ingredients which can be seen as advantageous, particularly among cooking enthusiasts.

Favor Delivery

Operating mainly within Texas but slowly expanding elsewhere – including outside USA – Favor Delivery providers promise 'Anything Delivered' meaning there's potential variety every shift such as delivering groceries one moment and office supplies another.

No two delivery services are identical - each platform has strengths worth exploring based on your preferences, whether flexibility, pay structure, or range of items delivered.

FAQs About Grubhub waitlist

Conclusion

Being on the Grubhub waitlist may not be your initial preference, yet, it's a vital part of their robust hiring process.

It perfectly balances supply and demand, ensuring a smoother operation. To survive this stage, equip yourself with understanding and a good load of patience.

Keep an eye on your application status regularly, meeting all requirements and rest assured that your opportunity to shine as a Grubhub driver is just around the corner. Indeed, patience bears sweet fruits… or should I say, delicious deliveries?