Eating Out on a Student Budget
Posted: September 21, 2026 | Author: SUU | Read Time: 3 minutes
As students come to study at SUU, many find themselves on a limited budget, making it difficult to eat out regularly. However, college students often find themselves with limited time as well. For those moments when you’re hungry and short on time, a great way to fit a take-out meal into your budget is to use a restaurant’s mobile app.
How to Use Fast-Food Apps
For most fast-food restaurants, the best way to save money is to place your order through the app and pick it up in the store. Many popular restaurants and convenience stores offer rewards programs through their mobile apps. Once you download the apps and create an account, you'll have access to discounts, coupons, and rewards that can help you save money. You can even go to the restaurant, place your order through the app while you're there, and then let the cashier know that you have a mobile order ready for pickup.
Here are a couple of places to find good deals for eating out while on a student budget in Cedar City:
McDonalds
The McDonald's app also offers great deals and rewards. A good habit is to check the app for available offers before placing your order.
If you receive a printed receipt, check whether it includes an invitation to complete a customer survey. In many cases, completing the survey earns you a free Big Mac with your next purchase.
Subway
Regular menu prices at Subway can be expensive. However, if you download the Subway app, you'll almost always find coupons and special offers that make meals much more affordable.
Dairy Queen (DQ)
The Dairy Queen app regularly offers discounts and exclusive deals. In addition, every purchase earns reward points that can be redeemed for free items. Rewards range from a free small vanilla cone to an 8-inch ice cream cake, giving you plenty of options.
Note: You can redeem only one deal or reward per order.
Smith's
Smith's is one of the three big grocery stores in Cedar City. The app offers weekly digital coupons, personalized discounts, and reward points that can be redeemed for savings on groceries or fuel.
The store also has a deli department where you can order custom weights of deli meats and cheeses, hot entrees like fried chicken, or cold sides and salads. On your first visit, be sure to ask for a Smith's Rewards Card and download the Smith's app.
Maverik
Maverik is much more than a gas station. Its convenience store offers a wide variety of fresh food, drinks, and snacks.
Maverik has excellent meal deals, and by downloading the Maverik app, you can earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on food or fuel. They also offer a free item every Friday for app users.
Bonus Tips: Unidays
Unidays is a website (or an app if you download it) where you verify that you’re a student and you get access to a lot of promo codes for different brands. Electronics, clothes, health & fitness, food & drink. It’s a good way to save on online purchases too.
All the tips mentioned were written in August of 2026 and are subject to the availability of the brands.
Tags: Campus Student Life
