Dining out at your favorite restaurants is one of life’s great pleasures, but those indulgent meals can quickly add up. Thankfully, cashback apps make it possible to enjoy gourmet experiences without the financial guilt. Whether you’re planning a date night, treating yourself to a solo dinner, or organizing a night out with friends, stacking cashback deals from apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta helps stretch your dining budget further.

Let’s break down exactly how you can use these apps for different types of restaurants, along with real-life savings examples.

Fluz: Instant Cashback with Gift Cards at Popular Chains

Fluz is one of the most versatile tools for food lovers looking to save. With Fluz, you buy a gift card for your restaurant of choice and receive instant cashback. It’s a straightforward way to earn rewards at the moment of purchase.

The app covers a wide range of dining options, from fast-casual to premium chains. For example:

• Cashback on Panera Bread is typically around 3%, perfect for cozy brunches or takeout nights.

• Cashback on Shake Shack can get you around 2%, making your gourmet burger cravings a little more rewarding.

Example Savings:

Let’s say you spend $30 at Panera Bread. With Fluz, you get $0.90 cashback instantly. Over four visits a month, that’s $3.60 back, just for using a gift card you would have spent anyway.

If you’re new to Fluz, download the app here to start earning cashback at your favorite restaurants.

Rakuten: Great for Online Orders and Delivery Services

Rakuten excels when you’re ordering food online. While it doesn’t always have in-restaurant dining offers, it frequently partners with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Rakuten cashback percentages can range from 3% to 10%, depending on current promotions.

Example Savings:

You place a $50 order through DoorDash during a 5% cashback promotion on Rakuten. That’s $2.50 cashback from a single delivery, plus any rewards from your linked credit card.

Rakuten works especially well when stacked with credit card dining bonuses or promotional periods, making it a smart choice for food delivery fans.

Ibotta: Flexible Savings on Dining and Groceries

While Ibotta is best known for grocery deals, it also features occasional restaurant offers and discounted gift cards. Participating merchants vary, but Ibotta sometimes includes fast food chains, coffee shops, and casual dining spots.

Example Savings:

Purchase a discounted restaurant gift card through Ibotta and save up to 10% upfront. Spend $40 with a 10% discount, and you’ve saved $4 immediately, even before any credit card rewards or loyalty perks.

Ibotta is a great companion for everyday dining or stocking up on gift cards ahead of special occasions.

How to Maximize Your Cashback Stack

For the ultimate gourmet-on-a-budget experience, consider combining these apps strategically:

• Buy a Panera Bread gift card on Fluz for instant cashback.

• Order food delivery through Rakuten-partnered apps.

• Check Ibotta for bonus deals on gift cards or dining offers.

This multi-app approach can easily net you 10% or more in combined savings on your regular dining experiences.

Eat Well, Spend Smarter

Eating well doesn’t have to mean overspending. By using cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta, you can enjoy gourmet meals while keeping your budget intact. The next time you plan to dine out or order in, take a few moments to stack these savings — your wallet will thank you, and your taste buds will too.