Getting more Uber Eats orders isn't just about luck. 

Whether you're delivering food or running a restaurant, there are proven strategies to boost your orders and earnings. 

I've put together this comprehensive guide to help both drivers and restaurant owners increase their order volume on the platform.

Why Optimizing Your Uber Eats Strategy Matters

Uber Eats has transformed food delivery, but drivers often struggle to get constant pings while restaurants fight for visibility. 

As the second most downloaded food app in the US, Uber Eats offers tremendous opportunity - if you know how to work the system.

For drivers, more orders mean more earnings. For restaurants, despite the steep 30% commission fees, the platform can drive significant new customer acquisition and sales growth.

Let's dive into actionable strategies for both sides of the Uber Eats equation.

Tips for Uber Eats Delivery Drivers to Get More Orders

Optimize Your Timing and Location

Working the right hours in the right places makes a massive difference in how many orders you receive:

• Peak Hours Pay Off: Most drivers see the highest order volume during lunch (11am-2pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm). Weekdays and weekends both work well, but Wednesday through Sunday tends to be busier. 

• Position Near Restaurant Clusters: Don't just park anywhere. Sitting near busy restaurants or dense restaurant areas increases your ping frequency. Many drivers report success waiting near Uber's highlighted "hot spots" (purple-colored areas on the map).

• Cash In On Special Conditions: Rainy days, big sporting events, and concerts create demand spikes when fewer drivers want to work. I've seen my own order volume triple during heavy rainfall. One driver told me, "If it's pouring rain or a major game night, I stay online - the orders and tips often increase.

Increase Your Availability (Smartly)

Being available more often increases your chances of catching orders:

• Extended Active Hours: The math is simple - the more time you're online, the more requests you can receive. Just remember Uber's 12-hour daily driving limit and prioritize quality over burnout. Focus on peak hours rather than random times. 

• Move When It's Slow: If you've been sitting in one spot for 15+ minutes with no pings, try driving to another busy area. Many experienced drivers swear this "shakes loose" some orders, even if there's no scientific proof behind it.

• Multi-App to Fill Gaps: When Uber Eats is slow, veteran drivers run DoorDash, Grubhub or other delivery apps concurrently. This doesn't directly increase your Uber orders, but it maximizes your overall earnings by eliminating dead time. No reason to choose between Uber Eats, Doordash and Grubhub, if you can do them all. 

Leverage Uber's System & Features

Understanding how Uber's algorithm works can give you a competitive edge:

• Acceptance Rate & Uber Pro: In certain US cities, Uber Eats Pro offers "Preferred Deliveries" which gives priority on high-paying orders to couriers with higher acceptance rates and ratings. Maintaining at least 50% acceptance can elevate your status to Gold/Platinum tier and possibly get you more (and better) orders. 

• Auto-Accept Option: Enabling the app's auto-accept feature means you won't miss incoming requests due to slow response. This reduces downtime, though it might result in some less desirable orders. Use this when idle time is a bigger concern than occasionally low payouts. 

• Take Advantage of Stacked Orders: When Uber offers "batch" orders (multiple pickups in one trip), they're usually worth taking. Completing two deliveries in the time of one substantially boosts your hourly earnings. Just ensure the combined route is efficient to avoid wasted time and gas.

• Check Your App Settings: Not getting any requests at all? Make sure you're logged into delivery mode (not ride mode), within your allowed service area, and have good connectivity. Sometimes simply toggling offline then back online can resolve silent periods.

Maximize Customer Ratings & Tips

Happy customers lead to better ratings, which improves your standing with Uber:

• Fast, Friendly Service: While Uber may not explicitly prioritize 4.9 vs 4.7 rated drivers, consistently high ratings contribute to your overall profile quality. Higher satisfaction directly impacts your tip income and possibly gives you priority in new programs.

• Communicate Proactively: Send a quick message if the restaurant is running behind or you're navigating a complex apartment building. This small effort can turn a potentially bad rating into a good one, as customers appreciate being kept in the loop.

• Complete Every Delivery: Avoid canceling orders after acceptance unless absolutely necessary. Canceled deliveries hurt your metrics, while a low cancellation rate paired with decent acceptance makes you a "reliable" courier in Uber's system. Uber Pro requires ≤5-8% cancellation rate in higher tiers.

• Use Incentives Wisely: Take advantage of Quests (like "complete X deliveries for bonus") and surge pricing, but don't blindly chase "busy" notifications. Sometimes Uber may show an area as busy, but you'll still wait if too many drivers flock there.

Common Driver Challenges & Solutions

Here's how to tackle the most frequent issues drivers face:

• Slow Periods: If you're not getting enough orders, try repositioning to a different part of town (downtown for lunch rush, suburbs for dinner), broaden your active hours, or use multiple apps to fill the gaps. New drivers should be patient while learning their market's patterns.

• Low-Paying Orders: The eternal dilemma - take every order and risk $3 payouts that waste time, or skip too many and sit idle. Many successful drivers set a personal threshold (like $1 per mile minimum) and are more selective during peak times when better offers are likely.

• Driver Oversaturation: More drivers means fewer orders per person. To stand out, focus on times and areas others neglect (early breakfast, late night, or bad weather). Gold/Diamond Uber Pro status (where available) can put you ahead of nearby drivers for premium orders. Professional behavior with restaurant staff helps too - they may prioritize handing orders to courteous, familiar drivers first.

Tips for Restaurants to Get More Uber Eats Orders

Let's shift focus to how restaurant owners can boost their Uber Eats performance.

Optimize Your Menu for Uber Eats

Your menu presentation significantly impacts order volume:

• Clear, Descriptive Item Names: Include keywords customers might search for in your dish names. Instead of just "Dragon's Delight," list it as "Dragon's Delight (Spicy Beef Stir-Fry)" so people searching "spicy beef" can find it. This improves discoverability in the app's search function. 

• Appetizing Descriptions: Use brief, mouthwatering descriptions (around 150-200 characters per item) that highlight key ingredients or flavors. Avoid long paragraphs that overwhelm or get cut off in the interface. 

• Strategic Menu Layout: Put bestsellers and high-profit items in prominent categories at the top of your menu. If you serve different cuisines (e.g., sushi and tacos), consider creating separate virtual brands for each rather than a confusing mixed menu. 

• Exclusive Offers: Create a few items or combos available "Only on Uber Eats" and mark them as such. This gives app users a unique reason to order from you and can generate buzz around your restaurant.

Make Your Food Look Irresistible

Visual appeal drives orders - restaurants with photos see dramatically higher conversion rates:

• High-Quality Photos: Add images for every signature dish - listings with photos significantly outperform those without. Use bright, well-lit shots that accurately represent the food. Even smartphone photos in natural lighting can work if professional photography isn't in your budget.

• Follow Platform Guidelines: Ensure images are clear and focused on the dish - Uber recommends centering the food and avoiding cluttered backgrounds. Show realistic portion sizes to manage expectations and prevent disappointment.

• Encourage Customer Photos: Uber Eats now allows customers to submit photos of your food. Encourage happy customers to share pictures in reviews, as these authentic images enhance your menu's appeal and credibility.

• Delivery-Friendly Presentation: Use secure, attractive packaging (branded if possible). A great unboxing experience with neat wrapping, included condiments/utensils, and perhaps a thank-you note can lead to better reviews, which attract more orders.

Use Promotions and Discounts Strategically

Promotions can quickly boost visibility and orders:

• First-Order Discounts: Use Uber Eats' promotion tools to offer deals like "$5 off first order" to hook new customers who haven't tried your restaurant yet. 

• Time-Limited Specials: Run promotions during specific times, like a "Happy Hour" discount on weekdays from 3-5pm or weekend-only special items. Creating urgency ("order in the next 2 hours for 20% off") can spur spontaneous orders. Seasonal promotions around holidays also keep your listing fresh and newsworthy.

• Build Loyalty: While Uber Eats doesn't have a built-in loyalty program, you can create your own by including a coupon in delivery bags for a discount on the next order, or a note inviting customers to tag you on social media for a surprise on their next purchase.

• Participate in Platform Campaigns: Keep an eye out for Uber's own promotions and opt in when appropriate. Being part of an Uber One member perk or a "$0 Delivery Fee" weekend can put your restaurant in front of many new potential customers.

Boost Visibility & Ratings

Your reputation directly affects your placement in search results:

• Actively Seek Reviews: High ratings improve your ranking in the app and build trust with potential customers. Include a polite note in delivery packages: "Enjoying your meal? Please consider rating us on Uber Eats – it helps our small business a lot!" 

• Respond to All Feedback: Thank customers for positive reviews, and professionally address negative ones. If someone mentions cold food, respond with: "We're sorry – we've improved our packaging. Please message us – we'd love to offer a free side on your next order." This shows prospective customers you care about service quality.

• Prioritize Fast Preparation: Quick preparation times allow you to handle more orders and keep customers happy, which leads to better ratings. Uber's algorithm favors restaurants that efficiently accept and complete orders. Keep your menu updated when items run out to avoid cancellations that hurt your metrics.
  Highlight What Makes You Unique: Use your restaurant description to emphasize what sets you apart: "Family-owned BBQ joint," "100% organic ingredients," or "Vegan-friendly options." Make sure your Google My Business profile is polished and linked, as many customers cross-check there before ordering.

Promotion Beyond the Platform

Extend your reach beyond the Uber Eats app:

• Cross-Promote on Social Media: Don't just announce "we're on Uber Eats" - share enticing content like a video of a dish being prepared with the caption "Too comfy to go out? Get this delivered via Uber Eats tonight!" Promote any special deals or discounts to drive your existing followers to order online.

• Partner with Local Influencers: Invite local food bloggers or TikTok foodies to try your popular menu items for free in exchange for honest reviews mentioning you're on Uber Eats. A quick social media post featuring your food with an "Order now on Uber Eats" sticker can expose your restaurant to thousands of potential local customers.
  Cross-Promote with Complementary Businesses: Partner with nearby businesses offering complementary items. For example, "Order an entrée from us and get 10% off dessert from Bakery X on Uber Eats." This encourages customers to order from both places and taps into each other's customer base.

• Build Direct Relationships: While focusing on Uber Eats growth, gradually work on converting repeat customers to order directly (saving on commissions). Use your delivery packaging to include your own branding, website, and social media handles to establish direct connections with customers. 

Create Smooth Pickup Experiences

When drivers have a good experience at your restaurant, they're more likely to accept your future orders:

• Dedicated Pickup Areas: Set up a clear spot where drivers can quickly grab orders. Fast, friendly pickups lead to faster deliveries and happier customers. Drivers talk to each other about which restaurants are easy to work with, and they'll prioritize your orders if they know they won't waste time waiting.

• Build Rapport with Couriers: Treat delivery drivers with respect - offer a waiting area with water or simply acknowledge them by name. Some restaurants even provide small incentives like a $1 cash bonus on large orders or an occasional free cookie. These gestures make drivers more likely to choose your restaurant's orders over competitors.

• Encourage Tipping: This indirectly helps you get more drivers willing to deliver your food. If drivers know "orders from your restaurant usually tip well," they'll accept them faster, ensuring your orders don't sit waiting. Consider adding a friendly note on receipts like "Tipping your driver is appreciated!"

Solving Common Restaurant Challenges

Let's tackle the biggest hurdles restaurants face on Uber Eats:

• High Commission Costs: The 30% fee is every restaurant's biggest complaint. Mitigate this by treating Uber Eats primarily as a customer acquisition channel - accept thinner margins on first orders to gain volume and reach. Increase efficiency by batch cooking popular items, and consider slightly higher menu prices on the platform to offset fees.

• Poor App Visibility: If you're buried below dozens of competitors, focus on two things: maintaining high ratings and avoiding cancellations so the algorithm favors you. Consider using Uber Eats Ads (sponsored listings) during key periods like big local events. Also, use specific menu tags (vegan, halal, etc.) to appear in niche filters where competition is lower.

• Order Accuracy Issues: Customer complaints about wrong items or slow delivery will tank your ratings. Streamline your kitchen's workflow by dedicating staff to online orders during rush periods and double-checking every item before handoff. Use the Order Manager app alerts to never miss incoming orders. The faster and more accurate you are, the more "recommended" you'll become in Uber's system.

• Promotion Fatigue: Some owners worry that constant discounts will devalue their brand or attract only bargain hunters. Strike a balance - use introductory promos for visibility, then focus on quality to retain customers without perpetual discounts. Consider raising menu prices slightly to fund occasional promotions without sacrificing margins.

Overlooked Strategies That Make a Difference

Here are some clever tactics most restaurants and drivers miss:

• Launch Virtual Brands: Restaurants can create multiple "virtual restaurant" concepts from the same kitchen. For example, if you're a diner, spin up a virtual "Wing Shack" brand selling just wings. This gives you multiple listings and captures niche searches without additional overhead. This strategy can "double or triple your online presence" by appearing as separate restaurants.

• Use Menu Emojis: A quirky but effective hack is adding emojis to item names (🔥 for spicy dishes, 🥗 for healthy options). This draws attention and helps users navigate your menu. Just don't overdo it - a few strategic emojis can improve the user experience, especially with younger customers.

• Analyze Local Order Patterns: For drivers, most advice is generic, but success comes from understanding your specific market. Keep a journal tracking which areas are busy at unusual times - maybe a particular office park orders late afternoon snacks, or a cluster of late-night restaurants stays busy after midnight. Drivers who identify these micro-trends get more orders while others chase the obvious hotspots.

• Leverage Uber Eats Stories: Many restaurants don't know Uber Eats offers a "stories" feature similar to social media. Use it to post updates about new menu items or chef specials. This free in-app marketing tool helps you stand out to customers browsing your page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I not getting any Uber Eats orders as a driver?

This could be due to high driver supply or low customer demand in your area. 

Make sure you're in a busy location during peak hours (lunch/dinner, near restaurant clusters). 

Check your app settings too - confirm you're online, in delivery mode, and within your service area. 

If everything looks right, try expanding your hours or using other apps during slow periods. Even top drivers have slow days when the market is oversaturated. 

Does Uber Eats give priority to certain drivers?

Orders are generally dispatched based on proximity and other factors, not personal favoritism. 

However, the Uber Eats Pro system does reward high-performing couriers with "Preferred Deliveries" - meaning Gold/Platinum drivers with 30%+ acceptance rates might get first pick on big orders in some cities. 

Outside of that program, maintaining good ratings and low cancellation rates ensures you're in good standing. 

What are the best times to deliver for Uber Eats?

The lunch rush (11am-2pm) and dinner hours (5pm-9pm) on weekdays are typically busiest, plus weekends when more people order in. 

Some drivers find late nights (especially weekends) lucrative for alcohol or snack orders with higher tips. 

Your city matters too - college towns might spike at 1am, while suburban areas might quiet down by 9pm. Track your earnings to find your personal "best times."

How can a restaurant improve its Uber Eats rating?

Focus on food quality, accuracy, and delivery experience. Make sure items are properly packaged and match their descriptions. 

Double-check every order before handing it to couriers. Include a thank-you note or small free treat to delight customers into leaving five-star reviews. 

When mistakes happen, respond to negative reviews promptly and make amends (refund, replacement, etc.). 

Avoid canceling orders or running out of menu items, as these hurt your reliability score. 

Can I advertise my restaurant on Uber Eats?

Yes, Uber Eats offers advertising options. 

You can run sponsored listings that appear prominently when users search or browse categories. This increases visibility to new customers. 

Many smaller restaurants start with promotions (discounts) first, but as you grow, experimenting with paid ads during key times (like promoting your pizza shop heavily during Super Bowl weekend) can drive significant order volume. 

Is joining Uber Eats worth the commission for restaurants?

It can be if managed strategically. 

Uber Eats connects your business to a huge customer base that might never discover you otherwise. While the ~30% commission is steep, consider it a marketing cost. 

Many restaurants slightly raise menu prices on delivery apps to offset fees. 

Use Uber Eats primarily to gain new customers, then encourage those locals to order directly from you next time for special deals. 

The platform can drive significant incremental revenue when approached with the right expectations and strategy.

Taking Action: Next Steps

Success on Uber Eats comes down to working smart and using all available tools. For drivers, focus on location, timing, and consistency. 

For restaurants, prioritize menu optimization, strategic promotions, and customer satisfaction.

Start today by implementing just one or two strategies from this guide. 

Drivers can test a new location this weekend or extend their shifts during peak hours. 

Restaurant owners can add photos to their top five menu items or launch a weekend promotion.

The food delivery market continues to grow, and those who master these platforms will reap the rewards. 

Whether you're delivering meals or creating them, these proven tactics will help you get more Uber Eats orders and boost your bottom line.

Looking to compare platforms? Check out our complete guide on maximizing earnings across delivery apps for more insights on which service might be best for your situation.