How to Increase Restaurant Profits with a Low-Cost Ordering System
Online ordering has become essential for restaurants, but many are losing a significant portion of their revenue to high commission fees from platforms like Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash. While these platforms provide convenience, they often take 15–30% of each order, cutting deep into profits.
Constant Cuisine offers a low-cost online restaurant ordering system that allows you to keep more of your earnings while still using DoorDash for delivery—giving you the best of both worlds.
Why This Matters to Your Business
- Retain more profit from every online order
- Gain complete control over branding and customer relationships
- Avoid hidden fees and excessive commissions
- Offer the same delivery convenience without overpaying
By switching to a cost-effective online ordering system, restaurant owners can maximize revenue, improve customer retention, and create a more sustainable business model.
For more ways to maximize your restaurant’s profitability while maintaining excellent service, check out Independent Restaurant Solutions, a valuable resource for restaurant owners seeking cost-saving strategies and operational efficiency.
The Hidden Costs of Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash
If your restaurant relies on online ordering systems for restaurants, it’s crucial to understand the financial impact of third-party platforms.
How Much Do Online Ordering Platforms Really Cost?
| Platform |
Commission Fees |
Additional Fees |
Who Handles Delivery? |
| Grubhub |
15% – 30% per order |
Marketing & service fees |
Third-party drivers |
| Uber Eats |
15% – 30% per order |
Marketing & service fees |
Third-party drivers |
| DoorDash |
15% – 30% per order |
Marketing & service fees |
Third-party drivers |
| Constant Cuisine |
5% flat fee |
None |
Still uses DoorDash drivers |
What This Means for Your Bottom Line
- If your monthly online sales are $10,000, Grubhub or Uber Eats could be taking $2,500 per month in fees—that’s $30,000 per year!
- With Constant Cuisine, you’d pay only $500 per month for the same sales volume.
- This means an annual savings of $24,000+—money that could be reinvested into marketing, staff, or new menu items.
Key Question: Why are restaurant profits shrinking under third-party platforms?
- High commission rates make it harder to stay profitable.
- Customers become loyal to the platform, not your restaurant.
- Your brand visibility is reduced—instead of ordering from you directly, customers browse competitors.
| Monthly Online Sales |
Fees with Grubhub (25%) |
Fees with Uber Eats (25%) |
Fees with Constant Cuisine (5%) |
Annual Savings with Constant Cuisine |
| $5,000 |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
$250 |
$12,000 |
| $10,000 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$500 |
$24,000 |
| $20,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$1,000 |
$48,000 |
The Benefits of a Low-Cost Online Ordering System
Choosing an independent online ordering system food service like Constant Cuisine gives you full control over your online sales while still providing delivery through DoorDash. Here’s why it makes sense:
1. Increased Profit Margins
- Keep 95%+ of your earnings instead of losing up to 30% per order.
- Set your own pricing, discounts, and promotions without third-party restrictions.
2. More Customer Loyalty
- Customers order directly from you, rather than being tempted by competitors on third-party apps.
- You can collect customer data to send promotions, special offers, and build relationships.
3. No Hidden Fees or Unexpected Costs
- Many platforms charge for marketing, priority placement, and credit card processing.
- A flat-fee online ordering system means predictable, lower costs.
4. Faster Transactions and Order Management
- Direct online orders are faster and more accurate.
- Integrated systems make it easy to sync with POS systems.
Comparison of Online Ordering System Benefits
| Feature |
Grubhub/Uber Eats/DoorDash |
Constant Cuisine |
| Commission Fees |
15% – 30% per order |
5% flat fee |
| Customer Data Access |
Limited |
Full access to customer info |
| Custom Branding |
No |
Yes |
| POS Integration |
Sometimes |
Yes |
| Delivery Options |
Yes |
Yes (DoorDash drivers) |
Key Question: What’s the difference between third-party platforms and owning your own system?
- You get higher profits and customer control.
- Your brand is front and center, not lost among competitors.
How to Choose the Best Online Ordering System for Your Restaurant
When evaluating the best online restaurant ordering systems, look for the following features:
- Flat-fee pricing to avoid per-order commissions.
- Easy website integration to encourage direct online orders.
- Custom branding so customers recognize your restaurant.
- Mobile-friendly design since most online orders come from smartphones.
- Delivery compatibility to keep the convenience of services like DoorDash without the high fees.
How to Set Up a Low-Cost Online Ordering System in 5 Steps
- Choose the Right Platform – Look for simple, cost-effective solutions with no per-order commissions.
- Integrate with Your Website – Make it easy to order directly from your site and social media.
- Promote Direct Ordering – Train staff to encourage customers to order direct instead of through third-party apps.
- Offer Incentives – Give discounts or loyalty rewards for direct orders.
- Use DoorDash for Delivery – Keep the convenience without the high commission fees.
The Best Way to Boost Your Restaurant’s Profits
Many restaurant owners think they have no choice but to pay high fees to Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash, but that’s no longer the case. By switching to a low-cost online ordering system, you can:
✅ Save thousands per year by eliminating high commission fees.
✅ Maintain control over your branding and customer relationships.
✅ Continue offering delivery through DoorDash without overpaying.
✅ Encourage repeat business and customer loyalty.
Ready to Cut Your Online Ordering Costs?
Contact us or sign up for Constant Cuisine today and keep more of your hard-earned profits!
