Balancing a busy schedule with the need to eat well can be a challenge—especially when cooking every day isn’t realistic. The good news is that it’s possible to plan and order 3 to 5 meals ahead of time from fast-casual chains while maximizing convenience, flavor, and savings. With smart use of cashback apps like Fluz and Rakuten, and a little planning, you can make takeout work for the entire week.
Here’s how to streamline your weekly meal strategy using efficient ordering, bulk meals, and smart storage.
1. Plan 3–5 Takeout Meals in Advance
Start by mapping out the week:
• Pick your mealtimes: Will these meals cover dinners only, or lunches and dinners?
• Choose your chains: Opt for reliable fast-casual restaurants with consistent quality and generous portions—like Panera Bread, Chipotle, Cava, or Sweetgreen.
• Consider dietary variety: Mix grain bowls, wraps, and salads across days to avoid fatigue.
Once selected, use mobile apps to schedule pickup or delivery for multiple meals at once. Some restaurants allow you to place multiple orders ahead of time, saving the step of reordering every day.
2. Bulk Ordering from Fast-Casual Chains
Some of the best chains for efficient, bulk-friendly meals include:
Chipotle
• Great for large portions that reheat well
• Order bowls with double protein and rice for extended meals
• Add toppings on the side to preserve freshness
Panera Bread
• Offers family-size soup and salad bundles
• Sandwiches and grain bowls can be stored for 1–2 days
• Bread and pastries freeze well for later use
Cava
• Customizable bowls with ingredients that stay fresh for 2–3 days
• Falafel and grilled chicken hold up well when refrigerated
• Order dressings separately to avoid sogginess
Sweetgreen
• Choose hearty bases like wild rice or kale
• Avoid tomatoes or avocado if storing more than 24 hours
• Reheat grains and proteins separately from raw greens
To save time, use restaurant apps to create and save your favorite meals. Reordering from your saved list allows you to prep an entire week of meals in just a few minutes.
3. Use Fluz and Rakuten for Upfront Savings
Cashback apps can significantly reduce the net cost of your weekly takeout routine.
How to use Fluz for meal planning:
• Purchase digital gift cards from merchants like Panera Bread, Chipotle, or Cava through Fluz
• Use the gift card to pay through the restaurant’s app or website
• Receive instant cashback—no receipt scanning required
Stack with Rakuten:
• For orders placed through Rakuten-enabled web pages (e.g., Chipotle’s desktop site), you can earn additional cashback when clicking through the portal before purchasing
• Combine Rakuten’s rewards with Fluz’s gift card savings for double benefits
By combining these tools, your upfront meal costs can shrink by 10% or more across the week.
4. Meal Storage and Reheat Tips
To make takeout last, follow smart storage practices:
• Divide meals upon arrival: Portion them into airtight containers for grab-and-go convenience
• Label containers: Use masking tape to write the name and date for quick identification
• Store sauces separately: This keeps ingredients crisp and allows for better reheating
Reheating tips:
• For bowls, reheat grains and proteins in a microwave or skillet. Add cold toppings like greens or dressing afterward.
• Toast sandwiches or wraps in a toaster oven to revive texture
• Soups and chili-style meals can be reheated in bulk and portioned into thermoses for on-the-go meals
This system helps minimize waste and ensures you’re never caught without a quality meal.
Final Thought
Efficient weekly ordering isn’t about eating the same thing five days in a row—it’s about choosing meals that travel and store well, placing smart orders ahead of time, and using apps like Fluz and Rakuten to stretch your food budget further. With a mix of convenience and strategy, fast-casual dining can become your most efficient solution for the workweek.
