When it comes to finding ways to cut back on spending and saving a little more, most of us are guilty of overlooking the amount of money we spend on fast food and dining out.
According to Bloomberg, in 2015 we (Americans) spend more money dining out than buying groceries.
There is no denying that eating out is a big chunk of every family’s monthly budget. Which makes it even more important to find ways to cut down and save some money.
The good news is that there are a lot of ways to do that. One of them is using apps that help you find coupons for restaurants.
According to this infographic from Trueship.com, 55% of internet users would have redeemed a mobile coupon at least once in 2015. Over 90 million Americans are expected to have redeemed at least one coupon by now according to the same statistics – can you imagine the savings?
Here’s a list of 8 essential couponing apps for saving money at restaurants:
Table of Contents
The Essential 8
Ready to save some money next time you go out to eat?
Here are 8 must-have apps to help you save more money when you eat out.
1. Forks
Forks is only available from iTunes, but it’s an app with huge potential.
More than 50, 000 restaurants are listed, so you’re sure to find a deal in your area.
2. The Coupon App
The Coupons App covers way, way more than just food – you can get deals on almost anything imaginable, which makes this a great app to take along shopping.
You can even check out what gas prices are and where you can go to find cheaper gas.
The app promises to be updated with new coupons and deals weekly, and a 4.5 rating on Google Play makes this a reliable option, too.
3. Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com allows you to find restaurant deals on the go.
Some of the deals are exclusive to restaurant.com users.
Checking out the reviews, it seems like a recent update has wreaked havoc with some users, so watch out for that and get in touch with the developers if you have any problems.
4. Bitehunter
BiteHunter isn’t available on Google Play, but it’s still available for download elsewhere on the web.
It’s available anywhere in the US, so it doesn’t matter which state you find yourself in or where you’re traveling to.
Bitehunter also lets you pay your bill from directly within the app.
5. Scoutmob Local Deals & Events
ScoutMob is full of local deals and events to claim. They cover more than just food, but looking at the restaurant section there will be tons to check out.
Note that it’s only active in these states: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC.
6. Kids Eat For
KidsEatFor is a great answer for parents who are looking for on-the-go deals.
It’s perfect for those moments where the kids want to go to a restaurant and mom, dad and grandma have no idea what’s around.
Kids are often eligible for deals at restaurants, which is great when you have a birthday party, for example, and have to feed a lot of kids on a budget.
7. Open Table
If you like going out in a great big group of people, OpenTable is the app for you.
OpenTable rewards you for being social.
Make appointments and reservations with friends and it will add up in points – which you can redeem for discounted food at your favorite spots.
The app also allows you to pay the bill using your phone.
8. BlackBoardEats
Blackboard Eats gives you gourmet specials without the hassle of having to pull out a coupon – what’s easier than signing up and waiting for the savings to pop up?
You’ll be notified of deals at your favorite spots, and you’ll have 48 hours to grab the passcode and claim the special by giving that code to the restaurant.
A Few Restaurant-specific Apps
Beyond coupon apps, there are a couple restaurant-specific apps that’ll still help you save if you prefer going to the nearest fast-food place instead.
Keep an eye on them for deals and use it to find the nearest outlet if you’re on the move.
Create Your Own Coupons?
For those of you who have their own stores, there is a new tool that lets you create a coupon app for your business very easily.
You can even use ShoutEm to create your own mobile coupon app for your webstore.
Your Turn
Have you used any of these restaurant apps to save money when eating out or ordering take out?
Do you know of any other essential restaurant apps?
