Why Restaurants Are Switching to Commission-Free Ordering Systems
Why Restaurants Are Switching to Commission-Free Ordering Systems
Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Deliveroo made ordering effortless for guests. For restaurants and cafés, the cost of using them can quickly reduce the profit on each order.
When platforms take 20% to 35% of every order, restaurants may need to raise prices or accept a smaller profit. One alternative is commission-free direct ordering.
1. You keep the sale
A $40 pizza deal on a third-party app can cost you up to $14 in fees.
With your own customer ordering app, payments settle through Stripe into your bank. On that same $40 order you typically keep around $38.80 after normal card processing—thousands of dollars a month that used to leave with the marketplace.
2. You own the relationship
Marketplace orders rarely give you the guest’s email, phone, or history. The platform owns the relationship.
With direct ordering:
- You build a real customer database.
- You can send WhatsApp updates and weekend offers.
- Guests return to your brand—not a feed of competitors.
3. Four modules, one workflow
A complete ordering system connects four parts:
- Customer Ordering App — branded menus on iOS, Android, and web with modifiers and instant checkout.
- Kitchen Display (KDS) — live tickets with sound alerts for the line.
- Rider Dispatch App — GPS routing and confirmation for your drivers.
- Admin Panel — menus, prices, hours, and daily revenue in one place.
How long does setup take?
Most systems can be ready for testing within seven days once we have your menu, branding and account access. Apple and Google publication may take longer because their review times vary.