What Percentage Do Delivery Apps Take from Restaurants?
Delivery apps typically charge restaurants between 15-30% commission per order. DoorDash charges 15-30%, UberEats charges 15-30%, and Grubhub charges 15-34%. These fees come directly from restaurant profits and often don't include additional marketing or tablet fees that can add 5-10% more.
In This Article
Quick Answer
Commission Rates by Platform
Hidden Fees Beyond Commission
Real-World Impact on Restaurant Profits
How to Reduce or Eliminate These Fees
Quick Facts
Related Questions
More FAQs
Quick Answer
If you're a restaurant owner considering third-party delivery apps, understanding the true cost is critical to your profitability. The percentage these apps take can significantly impact your margins, and many restaurant owners are surprised by the full scope of fees.
Commission Rates by Platform
Each major delivery platform has a tiered commission structure based on the services you use. Here's what you can expect to pay:
| Platform | Basic Rate | With Marketing | Premium/Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | 15% | 20-25% | 30% |
| UberEats | 15% | 25% | 30% |
| Grubhub | 15% | 20-25% | 34% |
| Postmates | 15% | 20% | 30% |
| RestauNax | 0% | 0% | $99/mo flat |
Hidden Fees Beyond Commission
Commission is just the beginning. Many restaurants don't realize they're paying additional fees that eat into their profits even further:
• Marketing/Promotional fees: 5-15% for featured placement
• Tablet rental fees: $5-10 per week
• Payment processing: 2.5-3.5% on each transaction
• Bag and packaging requirements: $0.50-2 per order
• Photo shoots and menu updates: $200-500 one-time
• Cancellation fees: Charged when customers cancel
Real-World Impact on Restaurant Profits
Let's break down what this means for a typical restaurant. On a $50 order with a 30% commission rate:
• You pay $15 in commission fees
• Add $1.50 for payment processing (3%)
• Add $1 for promotional placement
• Total fees: $17.50 on a $50 order (35%)
• If your food cost is 30% ($15), you're left with $17.50
• After labor and overhead, you may lose money on the order
How to Reduce or Eliminate These Fees
Smart restaurant owners are finding ways to keep more of their revenue by transitioning customers to direct ordering:
• Build your own branded ordering website and app
• Use commission-free platforms like RestauNax
• Offer incentives for direct orders (loyalty points, discounts)
• Include flyers in delivery orders promoting your direct ordering
• Leverage social media to drive customers to your platform
• Train staff to suggest direct ordering to dine-in customers
Quick Facts
15-30%
DoorDash Commission
15-30%
UberEats Commission
15-34%
Grubhub Commission
$0 commission
RestauNax Fee
More Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use delivery apps for my restaurant?
No, delivery apps are optional. Many successful restaurants use their own online ordering system to accept pickup and delivery orders directly, avoiding commission fees entirely. You can use your own drivers or integrate with affordable delivery services.
Which delivery app has the lowest commission?
Among major platforms, all have similar base rates starting at 15%. However, most restaurants end up paying 25-30% after adding marketing and delivery services. Commission-free alternatives like RestauNax charge a flat monthly fee instead.
Can I negotiate lower commission rates with DoorDash or UberEats?
Large restaurant chains may negotiate lower rates, but independent restaurants typically cannot. The published commission tiers are generally fixed. Your best option is to reduce dependency on these platforms over time.
Stop Paying 30% to Delivery Apps
RestauNax offers zero-commission online ordering with your own branded website and mobile app. Keep 100% of your order revenue.