Grubhub will refund you if your order is delivered to the wrong location, but the process depends on whether you gave the wrong address or the driver made the mistake
If your food arrived at a different address than the one you entered, Grubhub's refund policy treats this as a delivery issue. The company distinguishes between two scenarios: you entered the wrong address yourself, or the driver delivered to an incorrect location despite your correct instructions. In both cases, you can request a refund through the app, but your success depends on which situation occurred and what evidence you can show.
Grubhub does not automatically refund wrong-location deliveries. You must report the problem through the app or contact Grubhub support directly. The company will then investigate by reviewing the delivery GPS data, your address entry, and driver notes before deciding whether to issue a refund or credit.
Key Takeaways
- Report a wrong-location delivery when ready through the Grubhub app by opening your order and selecting "Report an issue" or "Get help with this order".
- If you entered the wrong address, Grubhub may still refund you, but the company is more likely to do so if the driver could have reasonably caught the error.
- If the driver delivered to the correct address you provided but it was the wrong location, you are responsible for correcting your address in the app before ordering again.
- Grubhub reviews GPS data from the delivery to determine whether the driver went to the address shown in the app or somewhere else.
- Refunds typically process within 3 to 5 business days if approved, appearing as a credit to your original payment method or Grubhub account balance.
How to report a wrong-location delivery through the app
Open the Grubhub app and go to your order history. Find the order that was delivered to the wrong location and tap it to open the order details. Look for a button labeled "Report an issue" or "Get help with this order"—the exact wording varies depending on your app version and whether the order was recently completed.
Select the reason that matches your situation. Grubhub offers options like "Order delivered to wrong address," "Driver went to wrong location," or "Never received order." Choose the option closest to what happened. Then describe what occurred in the text box: explain where the order was supposed to go, where it actually went, and whether you were able to retrieve it.
Submit your report. Grubhub will send you a confirmation that your case has been opened. You can check the status of your report by returning to that order in the app and looking for updates under "Help" or "Support."
When Grubhub refunds wrong-address orders you entered yourself
If you typed the wrong address into the app before ordering, Grubhub's refund decision depends on whether the driver followed your instructions. The company reviews the GPS coordinates where the driver marked the delivery as complete. If the GPS shows the driver went to the address you entered—even if that address was incorrect—Grubhub may deny the refund because the driver did their job correctly.
However, Grubhub sometimes issues refunds for user-entered wrong addresses if the company determines the error was understandable or if the driver could have noticed something was off. For example, if you entered a street number that does not exist in your area, or if the address format was obviously incomplete, Grubhub may credit your account as a courtesy. This is not may provide, and the decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
To improve your chances of a refund when you entered the wrong address, explain in your report how the mistake happened and whether you were able to retrieve the food. If the order was left in an unsafe location or the driver did not attempt to contact you, mention that as well.
When the driver delivered to the wrong location despite correct instructions
If you entered the correct address and the driver delivered somewhere else, Grubhub is more likely to refund you. The company uses GPS data from the driver's phone to verify where the delivery was marked complete. If the GPS location does not match the address shown in the app, this is evidence the driver made the error.
In these cases, Grubhub typically issues a full refund or account credit without requiring much back-and-forth. The refund may be processed faster than in situations where you entered the wrong address, because the driver's mistake is clearer to document.
If you did not receive the food because it was left at a stranger's address, mention this in your report. Grubhub may also ask whether you contacted the driver during delivery to correct the location. If you did and the driver ignored your message, include that detail—it strengthens your case.
What happens after you report the issue
After you submit your report, Grubhub's support team reviews your case. This typically takes 24 to 72 hours, though it can take longer during busy periods. The team will check the GPS data from the delivery, compare it to the address in your order, and read any notes the driver left.
Grubhub will then send you a message through the app or email with a decision. If approved, you will receive a refund or account credit. If denied, the message will explain why—usually because the GPS data shows the driver delivered to the address you provided, or because Grubhub determined the error was your responsibility.
If you disagree with the decision, you can reply to the message and ask for a second review. Grubhub does not always reverse its initial decision, but providing new information—such as photos showing the address was unclear or proof you contacted the driver—can help.
Refund timelines and where the money goes
If Grubhub approves your refund, the money is typically credited within 3 to 5 business days. The refund goes back to your original payment method—the credit card, debit card, or digital wallet you used to pay for the order. If you paid with Grubhub credit or a gift card, the refund is added back to your Grubhub account balance instead.
In some cases, Grubhub issues an account credit when ready as a temporary measure while investigating. This credit can be used toward your next order right away, even if the full refund to your payment method has not processed yet.
Check your bank or card statement after 5 business days if you do not see the refund. If it still has not appeared, contact Grubhub support again with your order number and the date you reported the issue. Refunds occasionally get delayed due to banking processing times, especially if your bank takes longer to post credits.
Preventing wrong-location deliveries on future orders
Before you place an order, double-check the address shown in the Grubhub app. Tap on the address field to see the full details, including the street number, apartment or unit number, and any delivery instructions. If anything looks wrong, edit it before completing your order.
Add delivery instructions that help the driver find the correct location. For example: "Building B, second floor, blue door" or "House with white fence on the left side of the street." These notes can prevent drivers from going to a similar-looking address nearby.
If you frequently order to multiple locations—home, work, a friend's apartment—save each address as a separate favorite in the app with a clear label. This reduces the chance of accidentally selecting the wrong saved address when you are in a hurry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I ordered to the wrong address on purpose and then changed my mind?
Grubhub does not refund orders straightforward because you changed your mind about the delivery location. If you intentionally entered a different address and then requested the order be sent elsewhere, Grubhub will likely deny a refund. However, if you can show the driver made an error despite your correct instructions, you may still have a case.
What if the driver left my food at the wrong address and I could not retrieve it?
Report this through the app when ready and explain that you could not recover the order. Grubhub is more likely to refund you in this situation because you did not receive the food. Include any details about why retrieval was not possible—for example, the address was in a dangerous area or the building was locked.
How long do I have to report a wrong-location delivery?
Report the issue as soon as you discover it. Grubhub does not publish a specific important date, but waiting days or weeks makes it harder for the company to investigate. The sooner you report it, the fresher the GPS data and driver notes will be, and the faster your case can be reviewed.
Will Grubhub refund me if the restaurant gave the driver the wrong order and it went to the wrong address?
If the restaurant packed the wrong order and the driver delivered it to your correct address, that is a restaurant error, not a delivery location error. Report it as a wrong order rather than a wrong-location delivery. Grubhub handles these cases differently and will typically refund you or arrange a replacement.
Can I contact the driver directly to resolve a wrong-location delivery?
You can message the driver through the app during or shortly after delivery, but once the order is marked complete, the chat closes. If you reach the driver in time, they may be able to retrieve the food and bring it to the correct location, though this is not may provide. For issues discovered after the chat closes, report through the app instead.