Ordering pizza online should be simple. You pick what you want, pay, and it shows up at your door. But if you're not careful, a casual pizza night can easily cost $40–50 after delivery fees, tips, and service charges pile up. That's a lot of money for something that should be a budget-friendly meal.

After years of ordering pizza across Canada — and reviewing chains for this blog — I've picked up some habits that consistently save me money. None of these are extreme couponing hacks. They're just practical choices that add up over time.

1. Order Directly from the Chain's Website or App

This is the single biggest money-saving tip I can give you. Third-party platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes mark up menu prices by 15–30% on top of charging delivery fees and service fees. A pizza that costs $12.99 on the chain's own website might be listed at $15.99 on a delivery app — before fees.

Every major chain in Canada — Domino's, Pizza Pizza, Little Caesars, Papa John's, Pizza Hut — has their own ordering website and app. The deals available directly are almost always better than anything on third-party platforms. Domino's in particular runs aggressive online-only specials that can bring a large pizza down to $7.99.

2. Pick Up When You Can

Delivery fees typically run $3–5, and most people tip $3–5 on top of that. That's $6–10 in extra costs just to have someone bring the pizza to you. If the restaurant is within a reasonable drive or walk, picking up your order saves you that money every single time.

Little Caesars built their entire model around this concept with Hot-N-Ready. You walk in, grab your pizza, and leave. No delivery fee, no tip, no waiting. It's the most friction-free, budget-friendly pizza experience in Canada.

Even chains that focus on delivery usually offer a pickup discount. Domino's frequently runs pickup-only deals that bring prices even lower than their delivery specials.

3. Order on Weekdays, Not Weekends

Friday and Saturday nights are peak pizza time, and some chains adjust their deals accordingly. You'll often find better coupons and faster delivery on Tuesday through Thursday. Domino's and Pizza Pizza both tend to run their most aggressive promotions mid-week when they're trying to drive volume during slower periods.

If your pizza craving is flexible, shifting your order to a Wednesday night can save you a few dollars and get your food to your door faster.

4. Check for Student and Loyalty Discounts

If you're a student, check whether your school has a deal with a local chain. Many campus locations of Pizza Pizza and Domino's offer student pricing that isn't available at other locations. Some universities also have exclusive coupon codes through their student union.

Loyalty programs are free to join and they add up. Domino's Piece of the Pie Rewards gives you a free pizza after a certain number of orders. Pizza Pizza's rewards program offers similar earning. These aren't going to change your life, but a free pizza every month or two is nothing to scoff at.

5. Use Interac or Debit When Possible

This is a small one, but worth mentioning for Canadians specifically. Some chains charge a small convenience fee for credit card payments on delivery orders. Paying with Interac debit (where accepted) can save you a dollar or two per order. Over a year of regular ordering, that adds up.

Some chains also offer discounts for cash pickup orders, though this is becoming less common in the post-pandemic world.

6. Don't Overlook the "Build Your Own" Deals

Specialty pizzas with fancy names and premium toppings are where chains make their biggest margins. A "BBQ Chicken Supreme" might cost $22, while building your own large pizza with chicken, BBQ sauce, onions, and cheese through a coupon deal might cost $12.

When ordering from Domino's, always check their mix-and-match deals — you can often get two or three items for less than the price of one specialty pizza. Pizza Pizza's "everything included" pricing makes their custom builds more predictable and often cheaper than the menu specials.

7. Group Orders Are Your Friend

If you're ordering for more than just yourself, coordinate with friends, family, or coworkers. Most chain deals get significantly better at scale — two-pizza deals, three-pizza bundles, and party packs offer much better per-pizza pricing than ordering individually. One delivery fee split across four people is negligible.

Quick Reference: Best Deals by Chain

  • Little Caesars: Hot-N-Ready pickup — consistently the cheapest large pizza in Canada, no coupons needed
  • Domino's: Online-only deals and mix-and-match specials — check the app before every order
  • Pizza Pizza: Walk-in specials and bundled topping pricing — solid for custom builds
  • Papa John's: Promo codes rotate frequently — check their website banner before ordering
  • Pizza Hut: Lunch deals and value bundles — best during off-peak hours

The Bottom Line

You don't need to be extreme about it. Just ordering directly from the chain instead of through a third-party app and picking up instead of getting delivery can save you $10–15 per order. Do that twice a month and you're saving $240–360 a year on pizza alone. That's real money.

The best pizza deal is the one that works for your situation. Sometimes that's a $5 Hot-N-Ready on the way home. Sometimes it's a $7.99 Domino's online special. The point is to be intentional about where your money goes — even when it's going to pizza.