How Food Delivery Killed Competition (And Took Your Budget With It) | Diving In episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 24, 2026 · 15 MIN

How Food Delivery Killed Competition (And Took Your Budget With It) | Diving In

from Think Like An Economist · host Platypus Economics

Getting food delivered should be simple — but somehow it's gotten outrageously expensive. In this video, Justin Wolfers break down why food delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub make it nearly impossible to compare prices, and why that's no accident. Justin Wolfers spent half an hour pricing the same dinner order across four platforms, and the results will make you rethink every takeout order you've ever placed. This is what happens when bad design is there by design. This isn't just a story about annoying apps — it's about how markets can fail even when competition exists. When comparing prices is too painful, firms stop competing on price, and you end up paying more than you should. The FTC is starting to take notice, and there are real fixes on the table. But until then, that $28 burrito isn't going anywhere. Subscribe on YouTube https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics Subscribe on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How Food Delivery Killed Competition (And Took Your Budget With It) | Diving In

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This episode is 15 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 24, 2026.

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Getting food delivered should be simple — but somehow it's gotten outrageously expensive. In this video, Justin Wolfers break down why food delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub make it nearly impossible to compare prices, and why...

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