How to Sign Up for Uber Eats as a Merchant (Restorant, Food Truck and Store)

These days, everything’s going digital—including the food game. If you run a food or drink business, you can’t just sit around waiting for folks to walk through your door. These days, food biz owners are catching on—sitting around waiting for foot traffic just doesn’t cut it anymore. They’re bringing their menus to people’s phones instead. And guess what? Uber Eats is one of the top ways to get your menu out there and in front of hungry eyes.

And hey—it’s not just for fancy restaurants. These days, small local spots, food trucks, coffee stands, bakeries, even ghost kitchens are hopping on board and crushing it. The bottom line? As long as you’re serving good food and your business papers are in order, there’s nothing stopping you from jumping in and putting your dishes up for delivery.

In this section, we’ll break down:

• Why Uber Eats can help your business grow
• Which kinds of food spots are actually welcome to join the platform
• How the whole partnership works

So if you’ve been asking yourself, “Would my business actually work on Uber Eats?” — stick around, we’ll help you figure that out.

Here’s What Happens When Your Food Biz Joins Forces with Uber Eats (Hint: Big Wins)

Thinking of jumping on Uber Eats? Hold up—this isn’t just about putting your menu online. It’s your chance to reach new customers, streamline your workflow, and give your brand some serious glow-up—all without overcomplicating things.

Here’s what you get when you join the Uber Eats crew:

Reach Way More Customers (Without Lifting a Finger on Marketing)

Once you're on Uber Eats, your place shows up to thousands of hungry users nearby—even folks who didn’t know your spot existed before. You don’t need to drop cash on big ad campaigns either. Folks open up Uber Eats all the time, not really sure what they’re craving—until your menu shows up and suddenly, they know exactly what they want. 

Imagine your place being that one unexpected gem they tap on—next thing you know, they’re hooked and coming back for more.

No need to stress about setting up your own delivery crew—Uber’s drivers got it covered while you focus on the kitchen.

Choose “delivery by Uber” and boom—no need to manage drivers or handle logistics. Uber’s driver-partners take care of getting your orders to customers. You just focus on what you do best: making great food and getting it out on time.

Smart Tools That Actually Help Your Business Grow

With the Uber Eats Manager dashboard, you can track incoming orders, tweak your menu in real-time, set your business hours, and check daily sales reports. It’s all laid out for you, making business decisions way easier and more data-driven.

Built-In Promo Tools to Boost Your Visibility

Wanna stand out? Throw in something fun—maybe a cheeky BOGO, a little delivery discount, or have your place pop up right where everyone’s scrolling for their next craving. It’s a great way to catch new customers’ attention without needing to be a marketing expert.

A Shortcut to Building Your Online Brand

Got a menu that looks as good as it tastes? Throw in some irresistible food shots and a few rave reviews, and boom—your place jumps from “just another option” to “yep, that’s the one.” Then your store can easily become a go-to favorite on the app—even if you don’t have a physical dine-in spot. Your Uber Eats profile becomes your new storefront, and it works 24/7.

Who Can Sign Up as a Merchant on Uber Eats?

Hold up—before you dive into the sign-up, let’s make sure your biz is actually a fit for Uber Eats. No point in rushing through the signup just to realize later it’s not even a fit for your business. Nothing’s worse than getting your docs ready just to find out your biz doesn’t meet the basics.

What Kinds of Businesses Can Join?

Uber Eats isn’t picky—they welcome all kinds of food and drink businesses, as long as you’ve got something tasty to offer. 

Wanna know what kind of food biz Uber Eats vibes with? Check this out:

• Restaurants (whether you’ve got a full dine-in setup or just do takeout)

• Food trucks or mobile food vendors

• Coffee shops and cafés

• Bakeries and dessert bars

• Bubble tea spots & trendy drink joints

• Ghost kitchens / virtual kitchens

• Grocery stores, mini-marts, and convenience stores

• Alcohol retailers (in select U.S. cities and states only)

Got something tasty to serve or sip? Then yeah—chances are, Uber Eats is ready to list your place on their app.

Where’s Your Business Located?

Uber Eats only works with merchants in areas where their service is already live. So double-check if your city’s covered. Live in a buzzing city or a packed suburb? If your business runs in a place where people love takeout, chances are Uber Eats already has it covered.

Business Paperwork You’ll Need

To get approved, your business should be legit on paper. That means:

• A valid business license
• A kitchen/health certificate (if required by your local laws)
• Tax ID number (EIN or SSN depending on your biz type)
• Bank account info to get those payouts

Food Safety and Quality Standards

Uber Eats takes food safety seriously—so should you. Make sure your kitchen’s tidy, your food stays at the right temps, and everything you’re serving is safe to eat—Uber’s big on keeping things clean and customer-ready. Follow the local food rules, keep things tidy, and getting approved should be smooth sailing.

Stuff You’ll Wanna Have Ready Before Signing Up for Uber Eats

Before you even hit that Uber Eats sign-up page, do yourself a favor—gather up all the important docs and info first. Trust me, it'll save you a ton of back-and-forth later. Think of it like prepping your ingredients before cooking—makes everything way smoother when it's time.

Here’s what you’ll wanna have on deck:

Business Info

• Your official business name (the one that shows up on legal docs)

• Full address of your business location

• A working phone number and email (this’ll be your main login and where Uber sends all updates)

Business Licenses & Legal Docs

• Some kind of license or local permit that says “yep, you’re good to go” from your city or town—just make sure whatever paper they ask for, you’ve got it ready

• Tax ID (EIN) if you’re set up as an LLC or corporation

• If you’re flying solo without a formal biz setup, your Social Security Number should do the trick—nothing fancy, just what Uncle Sam gave you

• Kitchen inspection or food safety certificate (only if your city requires it—some do, some don’t)

Banking Info

• A bank account under your business name (or your name if you're a solo act)
• You’ll need to plug in:
• Your bank’s name
• Your account number
• Your routing number

Menu Details

• You’ll need a rundown of everything you’re planning to serve—meals, snacks, drinks, the whole shebang—so folks can scroll through and order straight from the app

• Feel free to toss it together in a PDF, Word doc, spreadsheet—whatever works. You’ll upload it later when you’re setting things up on your account

• Make sure each item has:
• A clear name
• A short description
• A price tag

• Keep it clean and easy to read—no messy menus, please

Food Photos (Optional, But Totally Worth It)

• Snap some tasty-looking shots of your dishes—no need for pro gear, your phone cam and some natural light can totally get the job done

• Clean background, focus on the dish

• Keep your hands steady, skip the dungeon vibes, and clear out any junk behind the plate—no one’s ordering your leftovers or yesterday’s dishes. Make it pop like it’s ready for its close-up—your food deserves the spotlight, not your cluttered counter

Business Logo or Branding (Also Optional, But Adds a Nice Touch)

• Got a logo? Great—upload that too
• Makes your brand look more polished and helps people recognize you on the app

Ever wonder what it’ll cost to get your spot listed on Uber Eats as a restaurant partner?

One of the first questions that always pops up is:

“So… how much is it gonna cost me to get my business on Uber Eats?”

Here’s the short answer:

Well, it kinda depends on how you set things up — but here’s the best part: getting started won’t cost you a thing. Signing up is totally free. Yup, no upfront fees just to get started.

Let’s break down what you might end up paying once you’re in the system:

1. Setup Fee

Nope. Nada. Zero.

Right now, Uber Eats doesn’t charge a setup fee for most new restaurants across the U.S.

Sometimes there’s a small charge if you request hardware from them (like a tablet), but that’s optional — and totally avoidable if you’ve got your own gear.

2. Service Fees (a.k.a. Uber’s Cut per Order)

This one’s important. Each time someone places an order, Uber takes a cut — how big that cut is depends on whether you’re doing the delivery or letting them take the wheel. The rate depends on the delivery setup you choose:

Self-Delivery (You use your own drivers)

• Fee: ~15% per order. Perfect if you’ve got your own crew doing local deliveries.

Uber Delivery (Let Uber Eats handle it)

• Fee: around 25%–30% per order. Uber’s drivers handle everything — it’s hands-off for you, but the commission’s higher.

Heads up: These percentages might shift slightly depending on your city, order volume, or if you’re able to negotiate better terms.

3. Optional Costs You Might Want to Consider

• Paid Promotions. 

Looking to give your spot more visibility or toss in a deal like buy-one-get-one? Uber’s got tools for that — just know there’s a little cost to play. Uber’s got promo tools for that — just keep in mind, they come with extra fees. There are promo tools for that — and yeah, they come with extra costs depending on the promo you choose.

• POS Integration.

Got a POS system at your place and want it to talk smoothly with Uber Eats? Yes, you can integrate your POS system — but be aware that some providers may apply additional fees, depending on the software you’re using and their compatibility with Uber Eats.

• Equipment

• Got your own tablet? Cool — you can use that. Need one? Uber’s got rentals too
• Printer: Optional, but super handy for printing orders fast.

4. Other Things to Budget For

• Packaging: You’ll need to use secure, delivery-friendly containers. That cost’s on you.

• Refunds/Cancellations: If an order gets canceled due to a mistake on your end, Uber might deduct that from your payout.

• Tax stuff? That depends on your location — in some places, Uber handles it behind the scenes, in others, you’ll have to sort it out yourself. In others, you’re on your own. (Uber will give you the full breakdown during onboarding.)

One Last Thing About Pricing

Letting Uber take care of the drop-offs? You might wanna bump up your delivery prices a bit — helps make up for the cut they take. Totally normal. Everyone does it.

If all of that sounds fair to you, and you’re still feeling good about joining, then hey — sounds like you’re ready to move on to the sign-up steps!

Let’s get that virtual kitchen up and running.

How to Sign Up as an Uber Eats Merchant

Got all your paperwork ready and you're cool with the Uber Eats fee setup? Sweet—once everything’s ready, it’s time to bring your spot online and start reaching hungry customers. And guess what? You won’t need to go anywhere—everything’s done online through the official Uber Eats merchant portal.

Here’s the full sign-up process, broken down step-by-step:

Step 1: Head Over to the Official Sign-Up Page

Let’s kick it off by heading straight to the main site made just for restaurant partners.

---> https://merchants.ubereats.com

Hit that “Get started” or “Sign up your restaurant” button to kick things off.

Important: Don’t try signing up through the regular Uber app—this is a whole different route made specifically for restaurant partners.

Step 2: Start by dropping in the core details about your business—just the essentials to get things rolling

You’ll need to provide:

• Your business name
• Full address of your location
• Active phone number and email
• Type of business (restaurant, convenience store, food truck, etc.)

Step 3: Choose Your Category and Menu Type

Next up, pick what kind of food or service you’re offering. For example:

• Fast food, desserts, drinks, Asian cuisine, pizza, etc.

This helps Uber Eats match your spot with the right kind of hungry customers.

Step 4: Upload Your Menu

Time to show off what you’re serving! You can upload your menu as a:

• PDF, Word doc, or Excel file
• Include dish names, short descriptions, and prices
• You’ll be able to edit it later from your dashboard

Pro tip: Use tempting descriptions. Make people want to order just by reading your menu.

Step 5: Toss in some food pics if you’ve got ‘em—it’s not required, but they seriously help your menu pop

Give your menu some eye candy:

• Upload 3–5 high-quality food photos
• Pick the meals that make people reach for their phones before their forks—those are your photo stars
• Skip anything blurry, dark, or unappetizing

Let the food shine!

Step 6: Plug in your banking details and tax stuff—gotta make sure the cash lands where it should.

Almost there! Now it’s time to enter your:

• Your bank info goes here—that’s how Uber Eats knows where to drop your earnings
• Tax info: either an EIN or SSN

Make sure everything is accurate so there are no hiccups when it's payout time.

Step 7: Review & Sign the Agreement

Once all your info’s in, you’ll get the partner terms to skim over and give your digital nod.

Take a sec to glance it over—just so you’re not signing anything blind.

Step 8: Wait for Review & Activation

Uber Eats will check over your info, which usually takes a few business days.

If everything looks good and all your docs are solid, your store will go live on the app!

⏱ Estimated wait time: 3–5 business days, depending on your location and how complete your application is.

Why Your Uber Eats Merchant Application Got Rejected

So, you went through the Uber Eats sign-up process—seemed pretty straightforward, all online, nothing crazy. But then... Bam! You get that email saying your application didn’t go through, or your account’s just sitting there doing nothing. Sound familiar?

Don’t worry, it happens more often than you’d think. Let’s break down some of the common reasons why Uber Eats might say “no thanks” to new restaurant partners:

Missing or Invalid Documents

Yep, paperwork matters—and not having the right stuff can tank your application.

• Your business license might be out of date, missing key info, or just not looking the way Uber Eats wants it to

• They couldn’t confirm your tax ID—either it didn’t match up, or it got flagged during the system check

• The business name on your docs doesn’t match what you typed in the form (even small differences can throw it off)

You’re Outside the Service Area

• Your restaurant’s not in a location where Uber Eats operates yet—think rural zones or smaller towns

• Uber Eats isn’t accepting new merchants in your area right now (sometimes they hit capacity in busy zones)

Your Menu Didn’t Make the Cut

Let’s be real—your menu’s gotta look good and make sense. If it’s half-baked, that’s a problem.

• Too few items, random placeholders, or incomplete listings

• Prices missing or unclear

• Menu descriptions are confusing, repetitive, or just plain sloppy

• You tried uploading the menu, but the file type isn’t supported

Food Photos That Don’t Hit the Mark

Bad pics can be a dealbreaker. Uber Eats wants your food to look as good as it tastes.

• If your food pics are dark, blurry, or have any logos or watermarks slapped on them, that’s a fast track to rejection

• Wrong file size or resolution

• If the photos don’t actually show your real dishes—like using stock images or someone else’s food—that’s a major red flag for Uber Eats

Your Business Name or Type Doesn’t Qualify

• If your business name includes sketchy words or anything that goes against the platform rules, they’re not gonna let it slide

• Your biz doesn’t actually sell ready-to-eat food—just ingredients or raw stuff? That’s not gonna fly here.

Tech Issues During Signup

Sometimes it’s not you—it’s the system.

• The form glitched when you hit “submit.”
• Your internet dropped mid-signup
• Their system failed to save your info. Yep, it happens.

One Last Thing…

If you truly believe your application got rejected for no good reason, don’t just give up. Don’t just let it go—hit up Uber Eats support, explain what happened, and see if they’ll give you another shot. Sometimes a little follow-up goes a long way.

Quick Guide to Getting Approved on Uber Eats Without the Hassle

So, you’ve decided to join Uber Eats—awesome move! But here’s the thing: tons of restaurants sign up, then get stuck waiting forever, hit with revision emails, or even worse... rejected. Ouch.

But guess what? Most of that hassle can be avoided if you set things up right from the jump. Set everything up the right way, and you’ll be ready to take orders sooner than you think.

Here’s a no-nonsense list of tips to help your application sail through smoothly:

1.Make sure your paperwork isn’t just ready—it better be current and squeaky clean.

Seriously, double-check this stuff:

• Your business license needs to be current—and the address on it should match exactly where you’re setting up shop on Uber Eats

• A valid EIN or SSN that can be verified

• Business name on your docs should match exactly what you type into the form

• Watch for tiny typos in your address—don’t mix “Street” with “St.” or the system might get confused during auto-checks

2. Upload a Solid Menu

Uber Eats wants to know what you're serving, and they want it clean and clear:

• At least 8–10 menu items, with proper names, prices, and short descriptions
• Put your menu in a clear, organized file—PDF, Word, or Excel works fine, as long as it’s neat and easy to follow
• Don’t just copy-paste generic descriptions. Keep it snappy, but let the flavor shine through in the words.

Example that works:

 “Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Crispy fried chicken tossed in our signature hot sauce, fresh lettuce, and a soft toasted bun.”

3. Got some drool-worthy food pics? Toss 'em in—they can seriously boost your first impression.

A good photo speaks louder than words—let people taste your food with their eyes first.

• Shoot your food in daylight, keep the background clutter-free, and find that sweet angle that makes it look absolutely crave-worthy

• No watermarks, promo stickers, or random pics from the internet

• Just 3–5 great shots of your top menu items can really level things up

4. Use an Active Email & Phone Number

Uber Eats will contact you via email for activation links, updates, or issues. Also:

• Make sure your phone number works for 2-step verification

• Don’t use that old Yahoo email you never check anymore—use the one you actually read daily!

5. Apply During Business Hours (and with Good Internet)

Avoid signing up in the middle of the night or during a storm when your Wi-Fi’s acting up.

• Uber Eats’ system can lag if lots of people are registering at once

• Stick to regular working hours when signing up—less traffic on the system means less chance of things glitching out on you

6. Make Sure Your Location Is in Uber Eats’ Coverage Area

This one’s a game-changer:

• Go to the Uber Eats website and check if your address is within their active delivery zone

• If not, and you’ve got multiple locations, consider registering the one that is in their service area

7. Actually Read the Agreement Before You Click “Agree”

Don’t be that person who hits “agree” like it’s a reflex—take a second to actually know what you’re saying yes to.

• Know the deal—how much they take, when you get paid, and what you're actually responsible for once you're in

• It’s your business—know what you’re getting into

If you follow all of this, you’re setting yourself up for a fast-track approval. Plenty of merchants go live in 2–3 business days, just because they nailed the basics. Keep things tight, double-check the details, and let your menu show off what you’re all about.

Now go get your spot on that Uber Eats map! 

So, Is Uber Eats the Power-Up Your Business Needs?

Teaming up with Uber Eats could be a game-changer for your restaurant or café—especially if you’re looking to reach more hungry folks without having to build your own delivery system from scratch. Millions of people across the U.S. already use the app every day, which means your food could be showing up in front of tons of new customers in no time.

Before you jump in, it’s worth pausing for a moment to think things through:

• Do Uber’s cut and your menu prices actually get along, or are they lowkey beefing?

• If orders start flooding in outta nowhere—can your crew stay cool, or will the kitchen go full meltdown?

• Can you keep up the quality and speed if things get busy?

If all that sounds like a “yep” to you, then maybe it’s time to see what Uber Eats can do for your business. As long as you enter your info correctly, have your paperwork ready, and you're serious about growing your brand, the signup process should be pretty smooth.

You’re not just slingin’ meals anymore—you’re opening the door for total strangers to stumble on your food, get hooked, and come back hungry. Sign up, get your info in, and see for yourself how fast your business can grow with Uber Eats on your side.

Don’t wait ‘til your competitors beat you to it—get your spot on the map while the heat’s still on.