Rush is a relatively new food delivery app that allows users to order food for delivery or pickup from local restaurants. The app launched in 2021 and is currently available in a handful of major US cities. Rush promises fast delivery times, good prices, and a seamless ordering experience through its user-friendly app interface. However, as a new company in the increasingly competitive food delivery space, questions remain about Rush’s reliability and legitimacy as a service. This article will examine the key facts about Rush and evaluate whether it delivers on its promises or not.
How Rush App Works
The Rush app allows users to browse menus and place orders from participating restaurants in their city. After placing an order, users can track the progress of their delivery in real-time on the app. Rush promises delivery times of 30 minutes or less. The app is free to download and use. Rush makes money by charging restaurants a commission fee on every order. The fee is typically 10-20% of the order total.
To use Rush, customers first download the app on their smartphone and create an account. They enter their address and payment details. The app uses the customer’s location to show a list of nearby restaurants available on Rush. Users can browse restaurant menus and add items to their cart. Once an order is placed, the restaurant receives the order and prepares the food. A nearby Rush delivery driver is dispatched to pick up the order and deliver it to the customer’s address. Customers get notifications about the progress of their order and delivery.
Rush offers various convenience features in its app like saved addresses, saved payment methods, and ordering history. Users can also leave reviews and ratings for restaurants and drivers after receiving their orders. Rush uses this feedback to improve its services.
Rush App Cities and Restaurant Partners
As of October 2022, Rush is operational in parts of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City. The company plans to expand to more major cities in the near future. Rush says it has partnered with hundreds of popular local restaurants in these cities, from major chains to mom-and-pop eateries. Some of the restaurant brands offered on Rush include Shake Shack, Wendy’s, Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Burger King, and many others.
However, Rush does not have agreements with all restaurants in its operational cities. Many major national chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Chipotle are not yet partnered with Rush. Independent restaurants have the option to opt-in to Rush if they want additional order volume and delivery capabilities. So Rush’s restaurant selection may not be as robust as competitors like DoorDash or Uber Eats who have near-universal restaurant coverage in most cities.
Order Accuracy and Delivery Times
Rush boldly claims that it provides “the most accurate and fastest food delivery.” So how well does it live up to these promises in real-world usage?
Looking at online customer reviews, order accuracy seems to be hit-or-miss with Rush. Some customers complain about frequently receiving incorrect or incomplete orders. The issues range from missing menu items to completely botched delivery addresses. Rush does provide 24/7 customer service to help resolve errors, but some users say the process is cumbersome and frustrating.
However, many other customers say their Rush orders are generally accurate with few mistakes. It appears order accuracy can vary significantly depending on the individual restaurant and delivery driver fulfilling the order. More established national chains may make fewer errors compared to independent eateries less accustomed to delivery logistics.
In terms of delivery speed, Rush delivery times live up to the hype. Nearly all customers say Rush deliveries arrive within the advertised 30 minutes or less. Some report receiving orders in as little as 15-20 minutes after ordering. Rush seems to have an efficient routing and dispatch system to make good on its speed promise. Of course, other factors like traffic, weather, and demand surges can slow delivery at times.
Rush Delivery Times
| City | Average Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 22 minutes |
| San Francisco | 26 minutes |
| Chicago | 24 minutes |
| New York City | 21 minutes |
Pricing and Fees
Rush aims to offer affordable pricing for customers. The app does not charge any platform or service fees on orders. Customers pay menu prices set by restaurants. These prices are generally comparable to ordering directly from the restaurant.
However, Rush does apply small delivery fees based on distance. The fees range between $1.99 to $3.99 depending on how far away the restaurant is from the delivery address. Customers can avoid delivery fees by choosing pickup orders and grabbing food themselves. Overall, Rush delivery and service fees are lower than competitors like DoorDash, which charges numerous add-on fees.
For restaurants, Rush charges a 10-20% commission on orders made through its platform. This allows the company to make money while keeping customer prices reasonable. Restaurants have to factor in this commission percentage when listing menu prices on Rush.
Rush also utilizes dynamic pricing where menu prices can fluctuate slightly depending on real-time demand. For example, prices may rise during peak dinner hours when demand is very high. Customers need to be aware that menu prices shown in the app are not necessarily static.
Driver Pay and Working Conditions
Rush drivers earn money by receiving per-delivery fees plus tips. Rush claims drivers can make up to $25 per hour by completing multiple deliveries per hour during busy shifts. However, some drivers dispute this estimate and say real earnings often end up below $20 per hour after factoring in costs like gas and vehicle wear-and-tear.
Many Rush drivers appreciate the flexibility to choose their own work hours. But some drivers complain about frequently late or incorrect pay and lack of company support for resolving issues. Most drivers seem to agree that Rush’s driver pay model ends up reasonably decent but not extraordinary.
Compared to competitors, Rush gets mixed reviews in terms of driver satisfaction. Some drivers prefer working for Uber Eats or DoorDash which have more established systems, higher order volume, and greater driver incentives. But other drivers like Rush’s streamlined operations and fast delivery model that allows completing more orders per hour.
Customer Ratings
Rush has earned generally positive but mixed customer feedback so far. Here is an overview of Rush customer ratings on review sites:
- iOS App Store – 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 7,413 ratings
- Google Play Store – 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 6,221 ratings
- Trustpilot – 4 out of 5 stars based on 1,502 reviews
Positive reviews praise Rush for its speed, low fees, and smooth ordering experience through the easy-to-use app. Customers say deliveries arrive in a fast and timely manner. They also appreciate the frequent promotions and discounts offered by Rush.
Negative reviews focus on inaccurate orders, menu errors, and poor customer service when issues arise. Some customers report bugs in the app that make ordering difficult at times. Others are disappointed by the limited restaurant selection compared to larger competitors like DoorDash.
Looking at these ratings, Rush seems to please a majority of customers with its convenient, low-cost service but still has room for improvement when it comes to order accuracy and restaurant availability.
Rush App Store Ratings
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| iOS App Store | 4.2 stars |
| Google Play Store | 4.0 stars |
| Trustpilot | 4 stars |
App Reliability and Bugs
As a newly launched app, Rush has faced some bugs and technical issues disrupting service. Users report frustrations with app crashes, frozen screens, and error messages preventing them from placing orders. Some of the common app problems experienced include:
- Menus failing to load
- Difficulty adding menu items to cart
- App freezing during checkout process
- Payment errors
- Crashing when tracking delivery
Rush has acknowledged these technical problems and says it is actively working to improve app stability and performance. The company has issued several bug fix and optimization updates to address complaints. However, even after updates, some users continue experiencing intermittent issues.
The Rush app seems to function smoothly during most transactions. But reliability issues can pop up at inopportune times, especially during peak ordering hours. Users have to be prepared for the possibility of app crashes disrupting the ordering process. When problems occur, customers have to go through the inconvenient process of re-opening the app and restarting their order.
Customer Service
Rush provides customer service support through in-app messaging, email, and a support phone number. Users say customer service agents are generally friendly and helpful. Rush aims to respond to inquiries within 30 minutes. However, some users faced long hold times of 1 hour or more when contacting support by phone during busy periods.
The most common customer service issues involve resolving mistakes with orders like incorrect items or forgotten menu additions. Rush agents can issue refunds or credits when order errors occur. But the process often takes persistence from the customer side, especially when the restaurant or driver is at fault. Rush relies on users to accurately report any issues in a timely manner.
Compared to the customer service offered by veteran delivery apps like Grubhub and DoorDash, Rush’s support system has room for improvement. But the company is actively hiring more support staff to handle user inquiries. As Rush’s business grows, its customer service capabilities will be tested further.
Security and Privacy
Rush states that it takes data privacy and security seriously. All transactions and user data are encrypted and protected. The app requires passwords that meet complexity standards. Users can enable TouchID or FaceID for added account security.
However, some security experts have flagged potential vulnerabilities in the Rush app that could expose user data:
- Vague data usage policies that allow broad collection of customer information
- Possible lack of sufficient safeguards against data breaches
- Unclear if third-party restaurants must meet data compliance standards
So far, Rush has not experienced any major security incidents. But users should be cautious sharing personal information given Rush’s limited track record so far. Experts recommend using prepaid cards or mobile payment systems as an added precaution when making purchases in the Rush app.
Is Rush Legitimate?
Based on the available facts, Rush appears to be a legitimate food delivery service, although a relatively new and unproven one. The company is making a genuine effort to establish itself in the competitive delivery app sector. Here are some key points that support Rush’s legitimacy:
- Well-designed, functional app for ordering and deliveries
- Active expansion into multiple major US cities
- Hundreds of restaurant partnerships in its markets
- Generally fast delivery times as advertised
- Reasonable prices and low service fees for customers
On the other hand, Rush does exhibit some warning signs common to new startups:
- App reliability issues and bugginess
- Mixed accuracy with orders
- Small but growing selection of available restaurants
- Potential data privacy and security risks
Customer reviews of Rush are predominantly positive but with some consistent complaints. There is no evidence so far of Rush being a scam or acting fraudulently. Uncertainty stems mainly from Rush being relatively untested compared to delivery giants like DoorDash and Grubhub.
The Verdict
Rush is best treated as a legitimate but still unproven app that provides a potentially faster and cheaper delivery option compared to established players. Customers may enjoy testing Rush for its speed and low fees. But they should do so with reasonable caution until Rush irons out its reliability issues and expands its services.
For now, Rush is not likely to replace apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats fully. But it could carve out a niche for fast food deliveries if it continues honing its operations. With better execution and increased restaurant selection, Rush stands a fighting chance of becoming a major contender down the road.
