I Found the Highest Paying Hustle in 2025 

Why smart hustlers are ditching DoorDash for catering platforms that pay $25-60 per delivery

Let me be straight with you – I've been grinding different hustles for almost a decade, and I just stumbled onto something that's about to change everything. While everyone's fighting over $3 DoorDash orders, there's a whole category of delivery hustles that's flying completely under the radar.

I'm talking about catering delivery platforms, and the money is absolutely ridiculous.

The Problem with "High-Paying" Hustles Everyone Talks About

Before we dive in, let's talk about what actually makes a hustle worth your time. Sure, you could make $40+ an hour doing furniture delivery with Dolly or moving hustles, but do you really want to throw out your back every day? I've tried those, and trust me – the money isn't worth the chiropractor bills.

The sweet spot is finding a hustle that pays well WITHOUT destroying your body or eating up your entire day. That's exactly what I found with catering platforms.

Why Most Gig Apps Are Lying About Their Pay

Here's something nobody wants to admit: there's a massive gap between what these companies advertise and what you actually make in most side hustles.

You know those heat maps showing "surge pricing" and bonus zones? How often do you actually stay busy during those times? I've signed up for platforms advertising $30/hour hustles, gotten activated, and then... crickets. Not a single request.

That's why I always look at real numbers from actual drivers instead of trusting marketing nonsense. And when it comes to catering? The real numbers are even better than advertised.

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The Big Three Catering Platforms: What They Actually Pay

Let me break down the three biggest players and what they're really paying drivers:

Delivered

They claim drivers average $35 per order (not per hour – per ORDER) over 30 days. That's already insane compared to regular food delivery.

Zifty

Advertises $28 per delivery on average. Again, that's per delivery, not hourly.

DeliverThat

Posts earnings between $25-35 per order. Their support page gets updated regularly, but those numbers stay consistent.

Just to put this in perspective – on regular food delivery hustles, I tell people to aim for $7 per order because anything higher is basically unicorn territory. These catering platforms are starting at 3-4x that baseline.

Real Money: What I Actually Made

Enough theory – let me show you actual orders I've completed:

DeliverThat Example:

• $29 payout

• 1.2 miles total

• 7 minutes quoted time

• $24 per mile

Another DeliverThat order:

• $20 payout

• 0.4 miles

• 4 minutes quoted

• $50 per mile (yes, you read that right)

Zifty Example:

• $34.36 payout

• 6 miles total

• 26 minutes start to finish

• $5.73 per mile

Delivered Example:

• $60 payout

• 3.68 miles

• 28 minutes total

• $16.30 per mile and $2.14 per minute

These aren't cherry-picked best cases – this is typical for catering hustles. I've never seen margins like this in any other delivery category.

The Reality Check: It's Not All Perfect

Look, I'm not going to blow sunshine up your ass. There are real challenges with catering platforms:

Order Volume Is Limited

This isn't DoorDash with millions of users. You're not going to get back-to-back orders all day. Think of catering as your "filler hustle" – something that boosts your earnings when you catch orders, not your primary income source.

Market Size Matters

Catering orders come from corporate offices, business parks, training events, and meetings. If you're in a tiny town with no corporate presence, you might struggle. But don't count yourself out – even small businesses order catering for events and trainings.

Competition Is Fierce

When a $100+ order pops up, it disappears faster than you can blink. I've seen orders vanish before I could even check the mileage. You need quick fingers and quicker decision-making.

Some Orders Still Suck

Not every order is golden. I've seen DeliverThat orders for $7 going 9.7 miles – that's worse than regular food delivery hustles. The key is being selective.

Getting Started: Where to Sign Up

Ready to dive in? Here's where to get started:

DeliverThat: deliverthat.com/drivers

• Covers major metro areas

• Requires paid background check (worth it for reduced competition)

• Best interface showing exact addresses

Zifty: zifty.com/driver-signup

• Growing platform with solid payouts

• Radius-based pickup/dropoff (still accurate enough)

• Quick signup process

Delivered: delivered.com/drivers

• Newer platform with premium rates

• Must complete delivery within 60 days of activation or get deactivated

• Clean, easy-to-use app

Pro tip: Sign up for all three. Since volume is limited on each platform, you want maximum opportunities.

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What You Need to Know Before Starting

Equipment Requirements

Some orders require basic catering setup – warming trays, sternos, serving utensils. It's not complicated, but you should understand banquet-style food presentation basics. Most platforms provide setup guides.

The Learning Curve

Your first few deliveries might take longer as you figure out the process. Once you get the hang of it, these orders are actually easier than regular food delivery – just pick up, set up, and leave.

Background Check Costs

Yes, some platforms make you pay for enhanced background checks. I know it sucks, but think of it as a business expense that keeps casual drivers away. Less competition = more orders for you.

My Strategy for Maximum Earnings

After doing this for months, here's my approach:

1. Multi-app everything – Run all three catering apps plus your regular delivery apps

2. Know your market – Learn where corporate offices and event venues are located

3. Time it right – Corporate lunch orders typically come in 10 AM - 2 PM

4. Be selective – Don't take every order. Aim for $2+ per mile minimum

5. Stay ready – Good orders move fast, so keep your phone charged and notifications on

The Bottom Line

Is catering delivery going to replace your day job? Probably not. But can it seriously boost your gig income with less effort than traditional platforms? Absolutely.

I've been doing various hustles since 2015, and this is hands down the highest margin opportunity I've found. While everyone else fights over $3 food delivery orders, smart hustlers are quietly banking $30-60 per catering run.

The best part? Most people still don't know about these platforms. That won't last forever, so if you're going to jump in, now's the time.

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Start with one platform, learn the ropes, then expand. And remember – this is just one piece of building a diversified income portfolio. The real money comes from stacking multiple hustles, not putting all your eggs in one delivery basket.

Best Markets for Catering Delivery Success

Not all cities are created equal when it comes to catering opportunities. Here's what I've learned about which markets work best:

Tier 1 Markets (Best Opportunities)

• Major metropolitan areas with dense business districts

• Cities with lots of corporate headquarters

• Areas with conference centers and event venues

• College towns with frequent campus events

• Markets with strong startup/tech presence

Tier 2 Markets (Good Potential)

• Mid-size cities with business parks

• Suburban areas near corporate campuses

• Tourist destinations with event venues

• Areas with medical complexes and hospitals

• Government/military hub cities

Markets to Approach Carefully

• Small rural towns with limited business presence

• Areas without corporate offices or event venues

• Markets dominated by residential neighborhoods

• Cities where the platforms aren't yet active

The key is understanding your local business landscape. Drive around and identify where meetings, conferences, and corporate events happen. That's your goldmine.

How Much Can You Actually Make? Real Income Breakdown

Let's get specific about earning potential. Based on my experience and talking with other drivers:

Conservative Estimates (Part-Time)

• 2-3 catering deliveries per week

• Average $30 per delivery

• Monthly additional income: $240-360

• Annual boost: $2,880-4,320

Realistic Targets (Active Driver)

• 5-8 catering deliveries per week

• Average $35 per delivery

• Monthly additional income: $700-1,120

• Annual boost: $8,400-13,440

Aggressive Goals (Multi-Platform Expert)

• 10-15 catering deliveries per week

• Average $40 per delivery

• Monthly additional income: $1,600-2,400

• Annual boost: $19,200-28,800

Remember, this is ON TOP of your regular gig income. I'm not suggesting you quit everything else – I'm showing you how to add serious money to what you're already doing.

Advanced Strategies: Maximizing Your Catering Income

The 80/20 Approach

Focus 80% of your attention on the 20% of orders that pay the most. I've learned to quickly spot high-value opportunities:

• Orders over $50 always get priority

• Corporate office deliveries during lunch hours

• Weekend event catering (weddings, parties)

• Holiday and conference season rushes

Geographic Positioning

Position yourself strategically throughout the day:

• Morning: Near business districts for breakfast meetings

• Lunch: Central to corporate offices

• Afternoon: Close to event venues and conference centers

• Evening: Near hotels and event spaces

The Equipment Investment

Yeah, you need some basic catering gear, but it pays for itself quickly:

• Insulated food bags (upgrade from regular delivery bags)

• Basic serving utensils

• Sternos and warming trays

• Hand truck for large orders

Total investment: $100-200. One good weekend of catering pays for everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical catering delivery take?

Most catering deliveries take 30-60 minutes from pickup to completion, including setup time. The setup usually adds 5-15 minutes compared to regular food delivery, but you're getting paid 3-5x more for that extra time.

Do I need special insurance for catering delivery?

You'll want to check with your insurance provider, but most standard delivery coverage applies. Some drivers upgrade to commercial coverage for peace of mind, especially when handling high-value catering orders.

What happens if something goes wrong with the food?

Catering platforms typically have insurance coverage for food issues. Document everything with photos, communicate through the app, and follow platform protocols. In my experience, most restaurants package catering orders very carefully.

Can I do catering delivery with any vehicle?

Most platforms accept cars, but larger vehicles (SUVs, minivans) have advantages for bigger orders. I've never been rejected for a catering order because of my car size, but having more space definitely helps.

How do tips work with catering orders?

Tips vary widely but tend to be much higher than regular delivery. I've received $20-50 tips on large corporate orders. The professional presentation and setup service really pays off here.

Is there seasonal variation in catering demand?

Absolutely. Peak seasons include:

• Back-to-school (September)

• Holiday parties (November-December)

• Conference season (varies by industry)

• Wedding season (May-October)

• Corporate planning periods (January, July)

How quickly can I get activated on these platforms?

Activation times vary:

• DeliverThat: 1-2 weeks (background check processing)

• Zifty: 3-7 days typically

• Delivered: 5-10 days average

Start the applications early since you can't predict when good orders will be available.

The Future of Catering Delivery

Here's my honest take on where this industry is heading:

Short term (next 12 months): This is still a hidden gem. Most drivers don't know about these platforms, so competition remains manageable for those who get in early.

Medium term (1-3 years): Expect more competition as word spreads, but also more platforms and opportunities. The market will grow as businesses rely more on catering delivery.

Long term (3+ years): This becomes a standard part of the gig economy, similar to how grocery delivery evolved. Early adopters will have the experience and relationships to stay ahead.

My advice? Get in now while it's still relatively unknown. Build your reputation, learn the systems, and establish yourself before everyone else catches on.

Your Next Steps: The Action Plan

Here's exactly what you should do today:

1. Apply to all three platforms (links provided earlier)

2. Research your local business districts and event venues

3. Invest in basic catering equipment ($100-200 budget)

4. Join driver communities online to share tips and opportunities

5. Track your earnings to optimize your strategy

Don't overthink this. The biggest mistake I see people make is spending months researching instead of just starting. You'll learn more from your first catering delivery than from reading 100 articles.

Want to master not just catering delivery, but create a complete income empire? Royale Business Academy gives you access to 65+ proven business models and a community of entrepreneurs building real wealth. Stop playing small with single income streams.

Now quit reading and go sign up. Those $50 orders aren't going to deliver themselves.