Inflation has made eating well more expensive—both at restaurants and in the grocery store. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices have risen more than 3% in the past year, while dining out has seen a jump of over 6%. For families, students, and busy professionals, this means food costs can quickly eat into your budget.

Fortunately, cashback apps like Fluz and Ibotta offer a smarter way to cut food expenses without sacrificing quality. These apps reward you for spending at your favorite restaurants and grocery stores—helping you stay on budget while still eating well.

How Cashback Apps Help You Save on Food

Cashback apps reward you for spending at participating retailers and restaurants. These apps work in two major ways:

• Restaurant gift cards: Fluz lets you earn instant cashback when you purchase digital gift cards for popular dining chains. These gift cards are used just like cash and can be combined with restaurant loyalty programs and promotions.
• Grocery receipts: Ibotta gives you cash rewards when you upload your receipt or link your store loyalty account after shopping at participating grocery stores.

By incorporating both apps into your weekly routine, you can save money whether you’re dining out or cooking at home.

Earn Cashback on Restaurant Meals with Fluz

With Fluz, you can buy digital gift cards to top restaurants and earn cashback instantly. These gift cards are delivered digitally, work in-store or online, and can be stacked with other discounts or loyalty rewards.

Applebee’s

A go-to for casual dining, Applebee’s offers everything from burgers to salads. Plus, their 2-for-$25 deal becomes even more budget-friendly when you buy an Applebee’s gift card.

Panera Bread

Known for clean ingredients and customizable bowls, Panera is a favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can buy a Panera gift card and use it through the Panera app or in-store to earn cashback while still collecting MyPanera rewards.

P.F. Chang’s

P.F. Chang’s offers modern Asian cuisine and a full-service dining experience. You can get cashback at P.F. Chang’s when you pay with a gift card, and still earn points through the P.F. Chang’s Rewards Program.

Explore more participating restaurants when you search Fluz’s catalog.

Save on Groceries with Ibotta

For at-home meals, Ibotta is one of the most reliable ways to earn cashback on everyday groceries. The process is simple:

1. Open the Ibotta app and browse available offers
2. Add offers to your account before shopping
3. Shop at stores like Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Target
4. Submit your receipt or link your store account
5. Earn cashback within 24–48 hours

You’ll find offers on fresh produce, pantry staples, snacks, and household items. Ibotta also features regular bonus promotions and brand-specific reward streaks to help you save more.

Stack and Maximize Your Savings

For the biggest impact:

• Use Fluz to pay for restaurant meals with gift cards that earn instant cashback
• Combine Fluz gift cards with restaurant loyalty programs like MyPanera or P.F. Chang’s Rewards
• Use Ibotta at the grocery store and activate offers before your trip
• Link your grocery store loyalty card in Ibotta for seamless reward tracking
• Look for opportunities to use both apps in the same week and track your savings over time

Start Earning Rewards Today

Cashback apps can help you maintain a balanced, enjoyable food routine—even when prices are on the rise. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at Panera, dining out at Applebee’s, or doing your weekly grocery run at Safeway, you can earn meaningful cashback that adds up fast.

Download Fluz to start earning cashback on your restaurant meals, and check out Ibotta for savings at your favorite grocery stores.