Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series Courier Hacker is publishing to inform potential drivers of all the brands in the gig economy. We will be featuring brands from different categories (food delivery, travel, rideshare, health services, home services, pet care, etc.)
Munchery is a farm-to-table type food delivery service founded in 2011 by Tri Tran and Conrad Chu. Tran and Chu are no longer with the company, as of February 2017. The company offers a variety of healthy, organic options. These options include hormone-free meat, wheat-free and vegetarian options to ease the burden of weeknight meal prep.
Munchery currently delivers to over 1,000 cities across the United States, with a large concentration of their service areas on the coasts.
History and Funding
Munchery has raised over $125 million in funding to date, and is currently in a venture series of funding. Lead investors have included Menlo Ventures and Sherpa Capital. They began raising funds for recapitalization in March of 2017, which allowed for an additional $15 million in funds.
Back in 2016, the company began offering a membership plan at a rate of $8.95 per month or $85 per year. This membership cuts the price on meals by as much as 20 percent.
The company also took some heat in early 2017 for cutting staff as it tried to keep its doors open, but these cuts have resulted in more consistent work for the remaining drivers. The company’s latest round of funding and staff changes reflect its reorganization as it attempts to compete with other growing food delivery platforms.
How Much Can You Earn with Munchery?
Munchery drivers work in shifts, so there is a bit less flexibility as compared to other gig economy platforms. Shift times vary based on location, but you can find the open driver positions (with shift times for each) on the Munchery careers page. Each job posting has its own required number of shifts for a given week as well. Applicants should be sure to read the job posting carefully. Most of these shifts will occur during dinner, a facet of the platform that may present a problem for Munchery drivers who may wish to work on multiple platforms that also see a rush during the dinnertime hours.
In addition, each area has its own salary, but drivers generally make between $10 and $20 per hour. The median is around $12–$13 per hour. This is one of the few gig economy platforms where you are considered an employee, not an independent contractor. Although most driver positions are part time, full time employees receive full benefits (health, dental, etc.).
Munchery also offers several benefits to employees beyond driver payment. Aside from Munchery t-shirts, drivers also receive an employee discount on Munchery meals, data reimbursement and mileage reimbursement ($0.54 per mile).
Some employees have reported a lack of available hours on this platform, although the company has taken steps to rectify this situation as well.
Job Requirements
Munchery drivers will need a vehicle (motorized or bicycle), a valid driver’s license, insurance and a smartphone. Drivers must be at least age 21, and are expected to be friendly and directionally savvy. Drivers will also need to be able to lift at least 40 pounds.
