Online ordering is a lifeline for restaurants, but it comes with a cost—third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub charge up to 30% per order, leaving restaurant owners with minimal profits. If your restaurant relies on these platforms, you may feel stuck between high fees and the risk of losing customers.
However, what if you reduce restaurant online ordering fees by 80% while still using DoorDash for delivery? In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do that.
By the end, you’ll know how to keep more of your revenue, satisfy customer demand, and build loyalty without sacrificing convenience.
Why Are Restaurants Losing Money?Third-party platforms have become dominant in food delivery but are costly to restaurants. Here’s what happens when customers search for:
When they place an order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, those platforms take a huge cut of the restaurant’s revenue.
Comparison of Fees for Popular Food Delivery Services
| Delivery Platform | Commission Fees | Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | 15-30% | Service & marketing fees |
| Uber Eats | 15-30% | Promotions & delivery surcharges |
| Grubhub | 15-25% | Processing fees & featured listings |
| Postmates | 15-30% | Delivery fees |
Let’s say your average order is $50:
If you receive 200 online orders per month, you’re paying $2,000-$3,000 in fees—money that could stay in your business.
The good news? You don’t have to stop offering online ordering—change how you do it.
Many restaurant owners don’t realize they have an alternative. Constant Cuisine provides an independent online ordering system that cuts commissions to just 5%—a fraction of what third-party platforms take.
How it Works:
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.
Savings Breakdown: Third-Party Platforms vs. Constant Cuisine
| Order Value | DoorDash (30%) | Uber Eats (25%) | Grubhub (20%) | Constant Cuisine (5%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $15.00 | $12.50 | $10.00 | $2.50 |
| $100 | $30.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $5.00 |
| $500 | $150.00 | $125.00 | $100.00 | $25.00 |
Bottom Line: You can keep more revenue per order and increase profits—without changing your delivery process.
Most customers don’t realize that ordering from third-party apps hurts small restaurants. By educating them, you can shift more orders to direct online sales.
Ways to Encourage Direct Orders:
✅ Website Banner → “Order Direct & Save! Support Us by Ordering Here.”
✅ Social Media Campaigns → Post about how ordering direct keeps prices lower.
✅ Printed Flyers & Stickers → Place on takeout bags with a message like:
“Save money & support local! Order directly from [Restaurant Name] at [website link].”
Pro Tip: Offer a small incentive for customers who order direct—like 5-10% off their next meal.
Customers love deals. Since you’ll save on high fees, you can pass some of those savings onto your customers while still making more profit per order.
Best Promotional Strategies for Direct Orders:
Direct Ordering vs. Third-Party Fees Comparison
| Cost Factor | Third-Party Apps | Constant Cuisine |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Fees | $5 | $7 |
| Service Fees | 12-15% | 0% |
| Restaurant Receives ** | 60-72% | 96% |
** Also factoring in Commission & Marketing fees shown above.
Key Takeaway: Offering better deals for direct orders boosts loyalty and repeat business.
Many restaurants worry that removing themselves from DoorDash will hurt sales. But with Constant Cuisine, you can still use DoorDash—without the huge commission fees.
Example Savings:
Key Takeaway: You don’t have to give up delivery—use it in a way that makes financial sense.
The food delivery market is growing, but third-party apps shouldn’t control your profits. By switching to a low-fee online ordering platform, you can:
✅ Save thousands of dollars per year
✅ Still use DoorDash for delivery—but on your terms
✅ Offer better deals to keep customers coming back
Contact Us today and reduce your online ordering fees by 80%!