May 15th, 2026
Food delivery has become an important revenue channel for restaurants, but third-party delivery commissions can quickly reduce profit margins. For many operators, the challenge is not whether delivery is useful, but whether the restaurant is keeping enough of each order after platform fees, promotions, delivery charges, and marketing costs.
The best way to reduce food delivery commission fees is to shift more repeat customers to direct online ordering. This does not mean every restaurant needs to leave delivery apps completely. Instead, restaurants can use third-party platforms for discovery while encouraging loyal customers to order directly through their website, Google profile, branded ordering page, or mobile app.
Delivery commission fees can add up quickly, especially for restaurants with strong takeout and delivery demand.
For example, if a restaurant receives $30,000 per month in third-party delivery orders and pays an average 25% commission, the monthly commission cost would be:
$30,000 × 25% = $7,500 per month
Over a full year, that becomes:
$7,500 × 12 = $90,000 per year
|
Third Party Delivery Sales Per Month
|
Estimated Commission Rate
|
Commission Cost Per Month
|
Commission Cost Per Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
$10,000
|
25%
|
$2,500
|
$30,000
|
|
$25,000
|
25%
|
$6,250
|
$75,000
|
|
$50,000
|
25%
|
$12,500
|
$150,000
|
|
$100,000
|
25%
|
$25,000
|
$300,000
|
For restaurants already working with thin margins, these fees can make high delivery volume less profitable than it appears
Your restaurant website should make direct ordering easy to find. If customers visit your website and are sent to a third-party delivery app, your restaurant may end up paying commission on a customer you already attracted.
A direct ordering system allows customers to place pickup or delivery orders through your own branded ordering page.
Restaurants should add:
The goal is to make direct ordering just as convenient as using a third-party app.
Many customers search for a restaurant on Google before placing an order. If your Google Business Profile points customers to third-party apps, you may be paying commission on branded demand.
Restaurants should update their Google ordering links so customers can order directly whenever possible.
This helps capture customers who are already searching for your restaurant by name, location, cuisine, or menu item.
Third-party delivery apps can help new customers discover your restaurant. The issue is when repeat customers continue ordering through those apps every time.
A better strategy is to use delivery marketplaces as an acquisition channel, then move customers to direct ordering for future purchases.
Restaurants can do this by adding direct-order promotions to:
For example, a restaurant could include a message like: Order direct next time and save. Earn rewards only at our website.
Customers need a reason to change their ordering behavior. Loyalty programs, discounts, and exclusive offers can encourage customers to order directly.
Examples include:
The goal is to make direct ordering feel more valuable than ordering through a delivery app.
One of the biggest advantages of direct online ordering is customer data ownership.
When customers order directly, restaurants can collect useful information such as:
This data can be used for email marketing, SMS campaigns, loyalty offers, and win-back promotions.
With third-party apps, restaurants often have limited control over the customer relationship.
Some restaurants still need delivery support but do not want to pay full marketplace commission on every order.
Delivery dispatch can help. In this model, the customer orders directly from the restaurant’s website, and the restaurant uses a third-party courier or delivery partner to complete the delivery.
This allows restaurants to keep the customer relationship while reducing reliance on marketplace apps.
|
Platform
|
Best For
|
Key Strength
|
|---|---|---|
|
Snappy Online Ordering
|
Restaurants and growing chains
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0% commission direct ordering with POS and customer data tools
|
|
Toast Online Ordering
|
Restaurants already using Toast POS
|
Online ordering connected to Toast’s POS ecosystem
|
|
Square Online Ordering
|
Small restaurants and cafes
|
Simple setup and easy payment integration
|
|
ChowNow
|
Restaurants focused on direct ordering
|
Commission-free ordering and branded ordering tools
|
|
Owner.com
|
Restaurants focused on marketing and retention
|
ebsite, direct ordering, and customer marketing tools
|
Snappy is a strong option for restaurants that want to reduce delivery commission fees by moving more customers to direct online ordering.
Strengths:
Snappy is especially useful for restaurants that want to keep more revenue from online orders while building stronger customer relationships. Instead of sending repeat customers to third-party delivery apps, restaurants can encourage them to order directly through their own branded ordering page.
Best for: Restaurants and growing chains that want commission-free online ordering, POS integration, and customer data ownership.
Toast Online Ordering is a good option for restaurants already using Toast POS.
Strengths:
Toast can help restaurants accept more direct orders, but it is usually most useful for operators already inside the Toast ecosystem.
Best for: Restaurants already using Toast POS.
Square Online Ordering is a simple option for small restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and quick-service businesses.
Strengths:
Square is best for restaurants that want a straightforward way to accept direct orders without a complex setup.
Best for: Small restaurants and cafes that want simple direct ordering.
ChowNow focuses on helping restaurants accept direct online orders without traditional marketplace commissions.
Strengths:
ChowNow can be a good option for restaurants that want direct ordering without changing their entire POS system.
Best for: Independent restaurants focused on reducing marketplace dependency.
Owner.com is built around direct ordering, restaurant websites, and customer retention.
Strengths:
Owner.com is a strong fit for restaurants that want to invest in their direct digital presence and use marketing tools to increase repeat orders.
Best for: Restaurants focused on direct ordering, website growth, and customer retention.
Reducing commission fees is not just about adding an online ordering page. Restaurants also need to actively promote it.
Use these tactics:
Use third-party apps for first-time customer discovery, then move repeat customers to direct channels. Track how much revenue shifts from marketplace apps to direct ordering each month.
Food delivery apps can help restaurants reach new customers, but high commission fees can reduce profitability. For many restaurants, the better long-term strategy is to build a direct ordering channel that keeps more revenue in-house.
Direct online ordering helps restaurants reduce commission costs, own customer data, promote loyalty, and build stronger repeat customer relationships.
Restaurants do not need to remove third-party apps completely. Instead, they should use them strategically while encouraging loyal customers to order directly.
For restaurants that want 0% commission online ordering with POS integration, Google ordering support, and customer data ownership, Snappy is a strong option to consider.
Restaurants can reduce delivery commission fees by shifting more customers to direct online ordering through their website, Google Business Profile, loyalty program, email, SMS, and branded ordering page.
Not necessarily. Third-party apps can help with customer discovery. However, restaurants should avoid relying on them for repeat customers when those customers could be ordering directly.
Costs vary, but a restaurant doing $30,000 per month in third-party delivery sales at a 25% commission rate would pay about $7,500 per month, or $90,000 per year, in commission fees.
