Do you love food delivery services but want to learn more about ASAP?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this post, we’ll take a look at what ASAP is, how it works for both customers and drivers, and some of the pros and cons of using the service.
We’ll also share some tips on how to get the most out of using ASAP.
So, whether you’re a current user or just thinking about giving it a try, read on for all you need to know.
What Is ASAP?
ASAP (formerly Waitr) is a restaurant delivery service founded by Christopher Meaux at McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
ASAP started out with a staff of fully-employed drivers but switched to a contractor model in 2019 after laying off its existing fleet.
ASAP makes ordering food from your favorite local restaurants a simple task.
Its interface was designed with the customer in mind, so you won’t have any trouble navigating your way through ASAP’s app or desktop site.
ASAP also offers limited grocery services in some cities.
Although its grocery operation isn’t as broad as Uber Eats or DoorDash, it still has quite a reach.
How Does ASAP Work?
ASAP is incredibly easy to use.
If you’ve used any other food delivery service, you won’t have any trouble with ASAP.
To place an order, all you have to do is download the ASAP app or log on to the website and create an account.
Then, within minutes, you’ll be on your way to having a hot meal delivered right to your doorstep.
Never placed an order through a delivery service before?
Not to worry.
ASAP will walk you through the process.
Where Is ASAP Available?
ASAP started out in Louisiana but quickly expanded to more areas.
Now, customers and drivers have the option to use or work for ASAP in more than 500 US cities.
Most of the regions are located in the southern United States and include the following states:
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Florida
- Kentucky
- South Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Missouri
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
Customers who live within most of the southern US have pretty wide access to ASAP.
However, some states, including Kentucky, Virginia, and South Carolina, only have a small number of participating cities.
In 2018, ASAP acquired Minneapolis-based food delivery service Bite Squad, which primarily serves the southern United States, with operations in a few northern states, too.
The acquisition allowed ASAP footprint to expand from 235 cities in the south to 500 across the country.
It also added the following states to ASAP list:
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
ASAP didn’t require Bite Squad to adopt ASAP’s name, so you might still see Bite Squad cars zipping around town dropping off orders.
You can also still order through Bite Squad using their app or the desktop site.
If you’re wondering whether ASAP delivers in your city, you can enter your address on their website to find out.
How Much Does ASAP Cost?
When you order from a delivery service such as ASAP, you’ll usually have a delivery fee tacked onto your total.
It might only be a few dollars, or if you pay for a monthly subscription, it could be nothing.
Your delivery fee for ASAP will always be a flat rate.
However, the rate might vary from one city or region to the next.
So, while your delivery charge won’t go up if your order is larger, it won’t be the same everywhere you go.
If you’re traveling between cities, be prepared for fees to fluctuate.
ASAP Comparisons
ASAP operates on the same basic model as other on-demand food delivery services.
It provides delivery from local restaurants and certain stores.
One of the main ways it differs from its competitors is that it allows restaurants to provide high-quality photos of their food that customers can view before ordering.
Aside from the availability of item images and working on the same basic model, ASAP shares some similarities with some of its biggest competitors, including UberEats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.
However, there are also some differences.
ASAP vs. Uber Eats
One of the most significant differences between ASAP and Uber Eats is that Uber Eats has a much larger footprint.
Uber Eats is available in more than 6,000 cities across the globe, compared to ASAP’s 500 cities across the United States.
In addition, ASAP has a fairly limited grocery operation.
ASAP dipped into grocery delivery in 2020 as a way to offer customers a no-contact delivery option, which had become a real money-maker for a lot of companies.
Unfortunately, ASAP still doesn’t have the same offerings as larger food delivery apps.
Uber Eats’ grocery operation is still relatively new, but it provides delivery service from a lot more stores than ASAP.
Uber Eats also has a monthly subscription called Eat Pass, which allows customers to pay a set fee each month to avoid delivery fees.
Suggested: How does Uber Eats work?
ASAP vs. Grubhub
Grubhub is more similar to ASAP than UberEats and DoorDash.
For one, it’s only available in the US.
Its reach is much broader than ASAP’s, though, having drivers in more than 4,000 cities.
However, unlike ASAP, DoorDash doesn’t do grocery delivery.
So although DoorDash drivers will deliver orders from convenience stores, if you have a large grocery order, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Another difference between the two is that Grubhub offers Grubhub+, a subscription service similar to Uber Eats.
If you sign up for Grubhub+, you won’t get charged delivery fees on orders over $12.
Suggested: How does Grubhub work?
ASAP vs. DoorDash
Like Uber Eats, DoorDash has a bit of a leg up on ASAP because it’s available in far more cities.
As of this writing, DoorDash operates in more than 7,000 cities in the US, Canada, China, Australia, and Japan.
Also, DoorDash has a more extensive grocery delivery service than ASAP.
Initially, it only delivered from convenience stores and a few grocery retailers, but in 2020 it also expanded into full-service grocery delivery.
Another check in DoorDash’s column is that they offer a DashPass, which is a subscription that eliminates most delivery fees from all food orders.
Unfortunately, the subscription model is one area where ASAP falls short.
Suggested: How does DoorDash work?
How to Order from ASAP
Are you curious about how to place an order through ASAP?
Fortunately, it’s pretty simple.
If you’ve used another food delivery app or desktop site in the past, you won’t have any trouble using ASAP.
Simply follow the steps listed below, and you’ll be on your way.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Download the ASAP app through your favorite app store or go to their desktop site.
2. Create an account.
3. Search for restaurants in your area.
4. Start adding items to your order.
5. When you’ve completed your order, you can either tap “Review Order” at the bottom of your screen or choose to add friends to create a group order.
6. If you want to create a group order, tap the “People” icon to get started.
7. Choose how and when you want to receive your order.
8. Adjust your tip, and finish your order.
You can track the status of your order in the ASAP app.
Driving for ASAP
So, what’s it like to drive for ASAP?
If you’re considering diving into the food delivery business, you’re likely curious whether ASAP might be for you.
If that’s the case, here’s a bit more information on the pros and cons of driving for ASAP, along with information on pay.
Pros and Cons of Driving for ASAP
Most food delivery services have their own sets of pros and cons, and ASAP is no exception.
Pros of Driving for ASAP
- Discounts at local retailers
- Flexible scheduling
- Easy signup process
Cons of Driving for ASAP
- Base pay is relatively low
- Limited locations
- You’re competing for orders with drivers from big companies
Drivers who want to drive with ASAP can get started through a simple signup process.
All you have to do is head to the website and submit your information to get started.
How Much Do ASAP Drivers Make?
ASAP drivers earn base pay, tips, and surge pay during peak hours. However, the average wage varies.
Base pay for ASAP drivers ranges can be as low as $5 or as high as $20.
The base pay varies, so a driver in Lynchburg, Virginia, might make less than a driver in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
If a driver wants to cash out their pay, they can do so at any time through the ASAP app.
However, if a driver doesn’t cash out their entire income, anything that’s left in their account gets direct-deposited into their bank account every two weeks.
Read More: How much does ASAP pay?
Do ASAP Drivers Get Tips?
ASAP drivers earn and keep 100% of their tips.
Tips are where drivers will usually make the bulk of their pay.
Tips are also wholly dependent on the whims of your customers.
For example, if you drive in a busy area, you’ll be able to pick up more jobs, which could lead to more tips.
So even if those tips are smaller, they’ll add up.
However, if you’re in an area where you’re competing with a lot of drivers concentrated within a sparsely populated area, you might have trouble making much money.
Are ASAP Drivers Employees?
In 2019, ASAP switched from a regular employer to a gig worker model.
Similar to other food delivery services like Uber Eats and GrubHub, all ASAP employees are private contractors.
Final Thoughts
Working for a food delivery service such as ASAP can be a great side hustle if you’re looking for an extra way to make some money.
If you think driving for ASAP is right for you, head over to the website and get signed up today.
