The minimum purchase amount required to place an order on a food delivery service. It is set to ensure that delivery costs remain economically viable, and orders below this threshold may incur a small-order surcharge.
Why Minimum Order Amounts Exist and Typical Thresholds
Minimum order amounts are set to recoup the costs associated with each delivery, including delivery partner compensation, insurance, and system usage fees. For low-value orders, delivery costs can exceed the item price, making the transaction unprofitable for both the platform and the restaurant.
On Uber Eats, minimum order amounts vary by restaurant and typically range from 700 to 1,500 yen. Orders below the minimum are still possible but incur an additional "small-order fee" of around 150-300 yen. On Demaecan, restaurants may set minimums between 800 and 2,000 yen, and in some cases, orders below the threshold cannot be placed at all.
Tips for Meeting the Minimum Order Amount
For solo diners who want to order small portions, the minimum order amount can be a hurdle. Strategies include "advance ordering" by adding meals for the next day, "group ordering" with colleagues or friends, and adding side dishes or drinks to reach the threshold.
Some platforms also feature restaurants with lower minimums or run campaigns that waive the small-order fee. Comparing multiple apps to find the most favorable minimum order conditions for the same restaurant is another smart approach. If you frequently place small orders, convenience store delivery services are also worth considering as an alternative.
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