Isn’t it amazing that you can get paid to eat? After all, eating is a must for all of us. So, why not if there’s a way to get compensated for it?
It turns out that there are a few different methods to generate money while eating food.
Some will ask you to test products or assess restaurant service, while others will take a little more time but pay off handsomely. Check out these seven options if you want to get paid to eat.
7 Ways to Get Paid to Eat
1. Sign up for Restaurant Mystery Shopping Gigs
2. Become a Food Tester
3. Start a Food Blog or YouTube Channel
4. Get Paid in Cashback for your Food Purchases
5. Become a Competitive Eater
6. Get Paid to Eat Food on Camera
1. Sign up for Restaurant Mystery Shopping Gigs
Being a mystery shopper is one of the most well-known and well-liked ways to get paid to eat. The following is how it works:
You join up to work for mystery shopping companies as an agent. Then, when an assignment becomes available in your area, you’ll be notified and given the option to take it.
In most restaurant-based tasks, you’ll be expected to go in, place an order, and eat your meal. After that, you’ll be asked to complete a survey evaluating customer service, cleanliness, and meal quality.
You may also be offered employment that requires you to place orders at a fast-food drive-through. Most of these jobs compensate you by reimbursing you for your meal expenses. Some of the positions, however, may provide additional income.
Top Food Mystery Shopping Companies
If you want to work as a food mystery shopper, join up with one of the following companies:
- MarketForce – This company has an A+ BBB rating and a mobile app, making it simple to do tasks on the fly. They offer mystery shopping services for restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses.
- Coyle Hospitality – All of Coyle Hospitality’s employment pay a fee and reimburse expenses. They work in restaurants, cruise ships, travel, and cruise ships.
- Best Mark – BestMark has been in business since 1986 and offers four different types of mystery shopping assignments.
- Second to None — This company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and works on various projects.
- Secret Shopper – Secret Shopper is a global mystery shopping organization specializing in restaurants. Each position has its own set of criteria and pays scale. You’ll need high-speed internet, a tablet, smartphone, or PC, and great written communication skills to work for any of these food companies. As an independent contractor, you’ll do mystery shopping projects, which means you’ll have to pay taxes on your profits.
2. Become a Food Tester
Did you know that some businesses pay people to test their products before they are released to the public? That is correct. You can be compensated for trying new spices or the latest snack pastry.
You can work as a food tester in a variety of ways. To begin with, you can make this a full-time job. You’ll often require a bachelor’s degree in food science or culinary arts to do so.
As a professional food taster, you will evaluate new meals’ smell, taste, texture, and color. You’ll usually work full-time hours on location for this employment. According to Zip Recruiter, professional food testers make an average of $42,216 a year.
If you’re not interested in working as a taste tester full-time, you can still find a part-time job engaging in market research studies. For example, here are a few companies that have food tester jobs and will pay you to test their items in your house or at one of their nearby locations:
Contract Testing
You will be paid to test cookies, wine, soup, soft drinks, and other items for this company. They’ll alert you of opportunities available in your area once you sign up and complete your profile. Then, if you want to take part, you’ll go to the testing location and sample the food or beverages provided.
After testing, you’ll be asked to complete a survey evaluating the product’s taste, feel, and smell.
Most tests cost $20-$25 and last around an hour. Longer tests may provide more compensation. You can apply to work as a Contract Testing tester here.
McCormick Product Testing
If you reside near Hunt Valley, Maryland, you can get paid to test McCormick products at their onsite testing lab. However, you can get paid a little less to test McCormick items from the comfort of your own home if you live elsewhere in the United States.
The following is how it works:
- Sign up to be a McCormick panelist on their website
- Get notified when tests are available to you
- Complete the test, either onsite or at home
- Get paid via check or Amazon gift card
If you complete the onsite testing, you will receive a check for $30-$100. In addition, you’ll get $10-$15 in an Amazon gift card for your home testing.
Red Robin Panelist
You can sign up to be a Red Robin panelist if you enjoy eating at Red Robin, reside in Colorado, and want to get some free menu items.
Create a profile and choose the restaurant where you normally eat to get started. Then, when testing chances arise, you’ll be alerted and will be required to visit your local Red Robin to participate in the product testing.
3. Start a Food Blog or YouTube Channel
Is consuming food one of the finest ways to make a full-time living? Become a food blogger or start a YouTube channel dedicated to food.
Pinch of Yum, a popular food blog, started publishing income reports in 2011 to track the viability of food blogs as a business. They haven’t issued income reports in a while, but in November 2016, they reported bringing in more than $100,000 in revenue. (You can see the whole income report here, excluding costs.)
And, while this is just one revenue report from one site, I believe it’s safe to conclude that if you’re prepared to put in the effort, you can transform food blogs into a full-time income.
It’s the same with YouTube channels. Creating and sharing recipes is the greatest way to start a food blog or YouTube channel. Niche down the topic is one of the simplest methods to get started. You may, for example, start a food blog dedicated to grain-free foods, desserts only, kid-friendly food, dairy-free food, and so on.
4. Get Paid in Cashback for your Food Purchases
Consider using cashback apps if you’re searching for a simple way to get money back on your food purchases.
Several applications are available that might help you save or make money on the food you already buy.
Here are a handful of our favorites:
Ibotta
Ibotta is one of the most popular grocery shopping cashback applications. It’s also quite easy to get started.
Simply download the app and set up an account. They’ll then present you with cashback food bargains. Select all of the deals that you would normally buy.
Then, after you’ve purchased the items, link your store loyalty cards or upload receipts. You can redeem the cashback you earn for gift cards, Paypal cash, or direct deposit.
Checkout51
Checkout51 is a cashback program that allows you to save money on gas and groceries.
Each week, they have a different offer that you can take advantage of. After you’ve claimed an offer, you’ll need to fill it out and attach a receipt. After that, Checkout51 will credit you with cashback.
Once your account reaches $20, you can cash out your winnings.
Drop
The Drop app is a convenient method to earn money while eating. Simply download the app, choose your favorite stores, and link your credit or debit card. Then, whenever you purchase from a participating retailer, you’ll be immediately rewarded in points. When your balance reaches $25, you can redeem your points.
GetUpside
GetUpside will reimburse you for ordinary purchases, including those made at restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers that qualify. All you have to do is download the app and take advantage of the weekly deals available to you.
When you get to the store, you can either “check-in” or take a photo of your receipt. GetUpside will credit your account automatically. Your sum can be withdrawn using Paypal, direct transfer, or an e-gift card.
5. Become a Competitive Eater
Competitive eating indeed exists, but it’s not for everyone. Start with local restaurant challenges if you think you’ve got the passion (and stomach) for competitive eating. These can help you determine whether you’re ready to move up to the big leagues.
You can start exploring competitive food tasting or eating challenges once you’ve decided you’re interested. You might win hundreds of thousands of dollars if you win one of these. At Major League Eating, you may look for competitive eating contests near you.
6. Get Paid to Eat Food on Camera
Without a doubt, it sounds strange. However, getting paid to eat in front of the camera is a real possibility.
Mukbang is the name of a viral craze that began in South Korea. Mukbang is a popular YouTube channel that translates to “eating broadcast.”
Mukbang creators go out to eat alone and then record themselves eating their meals. YouTube commercials and brand collaborations are how these creators make money.
Of course, if you want to give it a shot, the amount of money you’ll make will be determined by your ability to attract a following. Even so, if you’re dedicated, this plan might work.
What are the Best Get Paid to Eat Apps?
I recommend Ibotta, Checkout51, and the Drop app if you’re seeking simple ways to earn money on your grocery purchases.
Aside from them, here are a few additional applications where you may get paid to eat:
- Seated App – Download the seated app if you’re looking for a new restaurant to try and want to get rewarded for doing so. You can use this app to look for restaurants in your city and be rewarded for making reservations or buying food to go. The rewards can be as much as 30% of the cost of your meal. On the other hand, the Seated App is only available in a few cities.
- Dosh – The Dosh app pays you to go out to eat, shop, and book hotels. Simply download the app, link your credit cards, and earn rewards whenever you shop at a partner restaurant or retailer.
How Can I Get Paid to Eat Fast Food?
Sign up with mystery shopping firms if you want to get paid to eat fast food. Almost every major fast-food chain will hire mystery shoppers to evaluate customer service, restaurant cleanliness, and food quality.
Some of these positions will require you to eat in, while others will want you to rate your drive-through experience.
But don’t expect to make a lot of money. The majority of these mystery shopping jobs repay you for the cost of the food you ordered, but others do not.
Conclusion
It is possible to be compensated for eating. Coming up with new dishes or even eating on camera might lead to a career. However, because the money won’t come in right away, starting one of these jobs is preferable as a side gig.
A food-related YouTube channel or blog could provide a full-time income with continuous work and a little trial and error.
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