Brutal rise in food delivery costs in Hungary

There can be a big difference in prices between food delivery and eating on the spot. Like everything, ordering food has become more expensive. Regardless of where we order from and what the current promotions are, we can get an average picture about the price change when choosing to be comfortable and order.

Food delivery prices increased

When browsing through a restaurant’s menu on Wolt or Foodpanda, in most cases, the prices of food and drinks are already higher than in the restaurant. On top of that, there is a delivery charge and a system or service charge.

According to telex.hu, in general, you have to pay more for the food you order, sometimes, the difference is surprisingly large. In some cases, there was no significant difference between the price of the food ordered and the food eaten on the spot.

The delivery charge depends a lot on where you order from and where the restaurant is. For example, if you want to order from a restaurant in Pest to Buda, the delivery charge will be over HUF 1000 (EUR 2.59). The prices also depend on the delivery location and current promotions. In the cases investigated by Telex, the ordering websites usually have very low delivery charges due to the closeness of the location.

• Read also: Here are the localities where the air quality is deteriorating

The exact figures of food delivery vs eating on the spot

Burger for two is roughly a quarter to a third more expensive to order than to eat on the spot. Two hamburger menus that included sauce, fries and burgers were 27 percent more expensive to deliver than if they had been eaten at McDonald’s. At McDonald’s, this means HUF 8,500 (EUR 21.99) instead of HUF 6,600 (EUR 17.08). Bamba Marha has a delivery fee of extra 30 percent, meaning a difference of almost HUF 3,000 (EUR 7.76) between the food delivered and the food eaten on the spot.

At Szeráj Turkish Restaurant, a large gyros bowl with side dish and toppings, fried rice pudding, and 0.5 l Coke was 28 percent more than if it had been eaten on the spot. At Eker Turkish Restaurant, however, the order was even more expensive. It cost HUF 4,000 (EUR 10.35) on the spot, but with delivery, it is HUF 6,000 (EUR 15.52).

Meat soup/goulash soup, beef stew/breaded meat, and somlói were bought from Karcsi Vendéglő in the 6th district and from Ildikó Konyhája in Buda. There is a service charge at Karcsi Vendéglő, and delivery was free when ordering, so the cost of eating on the spot and delivery was about equal.

At Bellozzo’s, pizza for four is 20 percent more – HUF 15,500 (EUR 40.10) – when ordered, eating out is HUF 12,900. At Pizza Manufaktúra, it’s even more expensive, HUF 12,500 (EUR 32.34) instead of HUF 9,000 (EUR 23.29) on the spot, which is 39 percent more.

At Vega City, the same layered cauliflower with rice is 80 percent more expensive when delivered: instead of HUF 2000 (EUR 5.17), it cost HUF 3700 (EUR 9.57). While at Salad Box, you “only” pay one and a half times as much for the same salad when you have it delivered.

Read alsoThe reality of Hungarian expats abroad: pasta in Italy costs half the price

The recent significant rise in fuel prices has also pushed up the cost of couriers, unless they are working by bicycle. This is one of the reasons why home-delivered food can be more expensive. However, there is a 27 percent VAT tax on deliveries, but only a 5 percent VAT tax on food eaten on the spot. On the other hand, food delivery companies charge businesses a commission on orders, which can be on average 15 percent of the food price.

Source: telex.hu