How Restaurant Owners Can Reduce Delivery App Commissions

Delivery platforms can help restaurants reach new customers. But when a large portion of orders comes through third-party marketplaces, commission fees can become a significant expense.

For restaurant owners already managing food costs, staff expenses, rent, and packaging, every percentage point matters.

The question is not whether delivery platforms have a role in your business. It is whether your restaurant has a strategy to grow direct orders alongside them.

How Delivery Commissions Affect Restaurant Profitability

Third-party delivery platforms typically charge restaurants fees or commissions according to their commercial agreements.

These costs can reduce the amount a restaurant retains from each order. Over time, depending on order volume and commission rates, the impact can become substantial.

For example, consider a restaurant receiving 500 marketplace orders per month, with an average order value of £25 and a hypothetical 25% commission.

That represents:

• Monthly marketplace sales: £12,500

• Estimated commission: £3,125 per month

• Annual commission: £37,500

This is an illustrative calculation, not a prediction of your restaurant’s actual costs. Your fees will depend on your platform agreement and order mix.

1. Build Your Own Direct Ordering Channel

One practical way to reduce reliance on marketplace orders is to give customers another convenient way to order directly from your restaurant.

A branded online ordering website allows customers to browse your menu and place orders without starting their journey through a third-party marketplace.

TabTake provides branded direct online ordering through your restaurant’s own ordering channels and advertises 0% commission on direct orders. 

This gives restaurant owners another channel to encourage customers to use.

2. Make Direct Ordering Convenient

Customers will not automatically switch channels simply because your restaurant wants them to.

Your direct ordering experience should be easy to discover, mobile-friendly, and convenient to use.

Consider:

• Adding your ordering link to your restaurant website and social profiles.

• Making QR ordering available where appropriate.

• Keeping menus, prices, and availability accurate.

• Promoting direct ordering to existing customers.

The goal is to make ordering directly from your restaurant a natural choice.

3. Keep Marketplace Platforms in Your Overall Strategy

Reducing commission costs does not necessarily mean abandoning delivery marketplaces.

These platforms may still help restaurants reach new audiences. Instead, consider using them as one part of your ordering strategy while gradually building direct customer relationships.

A balanced approach can help your restaurant maintain visibility while developing a channel you control.

4. Understand the Value of Your Direct Customers

Direct ordering can also help restaurants develop stronger customer relationships.

With customer and order history available through supported tools, restaurants can better understand ordering behavior and identify opportunities to encourage repeat business.

TabTake combines direct ordering with customer CRM and loyalty tools, helping restaurants connect ordering with customer engagement. 

5. Calculate What Direct Orders Could Mean for Your Restaurant

Before changing your ordering strategy, review your actual numbers.

Consider:

• Monthly marketplace order volume

• Average order value

• Commission and other platform fees

• Direct ordering costs

• Expected customer adoption of your direct channel

Even a gradual shift toward direct orders may be worth evaluating, but the results will depend on your restaurant’s costs, customers, and operating model.

Explore Direct Online Ordering With TabTake

If delivery commissions are putting pressure on your restaurant’s margins, it may be time to explore another way to manage online orders.

TabTake helps restaurants accept direct orders through branded online ordering, QR ordering, and connected restaurant workflows.