New Flex/Harris Poll Finds that Consumers Understand the Reasons for Delivery Fees

A new Harris Poll commissioned by Flex finds that more Americans continue to rate app-based delivery fees as reasonable fees compared to other fees in the consumer landscape. At the same time, consumers rank delivery fee regulation dead last among their priorities for Congressional action. The results, which refresh data first collected by Harris and Flex in 2023, reveal a consumer base that is growing, increasingly engaged, and clear-eyed about the value app-based platforms provide.

Unlike so-called "junk fees" common in other industries, app-based platform fees reflect real costs - including fulfilling orders, supporting restaurant and retail partners, and compensating workers - and are clearly displayed to customers before they complete a purchase.

The results underscore growing public support for the app-based economy's commitment to business models that are honest, accessible, and built around consumer trust.

Read the full results here.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Flex Association from May 8-12, 2026, among 2,083 adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,217 use 3 party delivery apps at least once per month. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

The 2023 survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Flex Association from September 12 - 14, 2023, among 2,077 adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,151 who use 3^rd party delivery apps at least once per month.

About Flex. Flex is the voice of the app-based economy, representing America's leading app-based rideshare and delivery platforms and the people who count on them. Our member companies — DoorDash, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt and Uber— help provide access to crucial goods and services to customers safely and efficiently, offer flexible earning opportunities to workers and support economic growth in communities across the country.