- The True Cost Of Delivery Apps—And Why You Should Negotiate
- Are You In A Position To Negotiate? (Yes—Here’s Why)
- How To Prepare For Negotiation (With a Rep or Support Team)?
- Scripted Strategies: How To Initiate And Lead The Conversation
- Leverage Non-Monetary Benefits For A Better Deal
- Don’t Want To Rely On One Platform? Play The Field (Smartly)
- Think Beyond Negotiation: Implement Long-Term Margin Strategies
- Bonus Tool: Use This Calculator To Know When You’re Losing Money
- Keep More Of What You Earn
- FAQ
Third-party delivery apps have made it easier for restaurants to reach more customers. In 2024, approximately 173 million people in the United States used meal delivery services.
They handle the logistics, offer built-in exposure, and help diners order with just a few taps. But while they bring in new business, the commission fees can put pressure on your margins.
If you’re like many independent restaurant owners, you’ve probably wondered: Is there any room to negotiate those fees?
The answer is yes.
This article will show you how to prepare, what to ask for, and how to start the conversation with your delivery partners.
You’ll learn how to protect your bottom line without giving up on these platforms’ benefits.
Key Takeaways
- You can negotiate lower commissions with food delivery apps, even as an independent restaurant.
- Good performance metrics like high order volume and strong ratings increase your leverage.
- Prepare your data before reaching out to a platform representative.
- Ask for better placement, promotions, or support, not just lower fees.
- Using multiple apps gives you more flexibility and negotiation power.
- Orders.co helps you manage orders, track performance, and negotiate with confidence.
- Building a direct ordering channel reduces your long-term reliance on third-party fees.
- Knowing your real costs is key—use tools to calculate profit per platform.
The True Cost Of Delivery Apps—And Why You Should Negotiate
Using third-party delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub can help you reach more customers and grow your sales.
Source: YouGov
But it’s important to understand how their fee structures work, especially if you’re looking to improve your profit margins.
Common Charges You Might See
Most food delivery services use a commission-based model. Depending on your agreement, you may pay:
These fees vary depending on your location, sales volume, and the agreement you’ve made with the platform.
Why Negotiation Is Worth Considering
Even a 2% drop in your delivery commission can make a noticeable difference across hundreds of orders per month. If your restaurant is doing steady volume and maintaining high ratings, you may be in a good position to ask for better terms.
Negotiating your fees isn’t about pushing back—it’s about finding a balance that allows you to continue offering delivery while protecting your profitability.
Need a better way to monitor all your online orders and track delivery costs? Orders.co helps you manage all your platforms from a single device, so you always know where your margins stand.
Also, read:
- 5 Reasons Why Online Food Ordering is the Future
- How to Increase Restaurant Sales With Online Ordering
- 17 Tips to Take Your Restaurant Delivery to the Next Level
- How To Get More Online Orders & Manage Them Efficiently For Restaurants
- Hiring Restaurant Delivery Drivers: What You Need to Know
Are You In A Position To Negotiate? (Yes—Here’s Why)
Many restaurant owners assume that only big brands or national chains can negotiate with delivery apps. That’s not true. If your restaurant has consistent order volume, strong customer ratings, or a growing local following, you have more influence than you think.
What Makes a Restaurant Valuable to Delivery Platforms?
Delivery platforms want partners that keep customers happy. If you’re bringing in steady orders, have solid reviews, and rarely cancel, you’re already a good partner in their eyes. Here’s what can strengthen your position:
- High monthly order volume
Even 100+ orders per week puts you in a solid category. - Above-average customer ratings
Positive reviews build trust with the app and new customers. - Low cancellation or issue rate
Fewer problems mean fewer refunds and support tickets for the platform. - Popular menu items
If customers regularly order from you, the platform benefits from keeping your restaurant visible and active.
What Delivery Apps Get in Return
When a restaurant performs well, it keeps users coming back to the app.
That translates into more usage and higher customer retention. In other words, you help them make money, and that gives you room to ask for better terms.
Want to know where you stand before negotiating? Orders.co offers detailed reporting on your third-party order performance, so you can see what matters most—before you reach out to your rep.
Schedule a brief FREE demo to see how it can benefit your daily operations!
How To Prepare For Negotiation (With A Rep Or Support Team)?
Before you reach out to a platform representative, make sure you’re prepared. Just like any business discussion, coming in with solid numbers and a clear understanding of what you want makes a big difference.
What You’ll Need to Gather
Start by collecting your recent performance data. These are the key metrics most delivery platforms care about:
- Monthly order volume – How many orders you’re handling on the platform.
- Average ticket size – Higher basket values = more revenue per order.
- Customer rating – Aim for 4.5 stars or higher.
- Refund/cancellation rate – Lower is better.
- Marketing participation – Have you joined any in-app promotions?
You can usually find this information in your delivery app dashboard, or if you use Orders.co, you’ll get it all in one place across every platform you’re connected to.
Know Your Current Costs
Before you negotiate, it’s critical to understand what you’re paying now. Review:
If you don’t already have these numbers in a single report, Orders.co can help consolidate your delivery app data so you know exactly what you’re paying and where.
Scripted Strategies: How To Initiate And Lead The Conversation
Once you have your performance data ready, it’s time to reach out to your delivery platform rep. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, don’t worry—many restaurant owners feel the same way. Here’s how to keep it professional, clear, and focused on mutual benefit.
Step 1: Reach Out with Confidence
Most platforms have a partner support contact or an account manager. Use the in-app support chat, email, or your dashboard’s contact form to request a review of your current fees.
Here’s a simple script to start the conversation:
Hi [Rep Name],
I’ve been reviewing my delivery performance and would like to talk about adjusting our current commission structure. My restaurant has maintained consistent order volume, strong customer ratings, and low cancellation rates. I’d appreciate a quick call or email to see what options might be available for improving our current agreement.
Thanks for your time,
[Your Name]
[Restaurant Name]
Keep it polite, direct, and metrics-driven.
Step 2: Highlight Your Value
Once you’re in the conversation, bring your data to the table:
- “We average over 400 orders a month on this platform.”
- “Our cancellation rate is under 1%.”
- “Our average customer rating is 4.7 stars.”
These numbers show you’re a low-risk, high-value partner—and that’s worth negotiating for.
Step 3: Ask for What You Want
Be specific. Instead of saying “Can you lower my fees?” try:
- “Would you be open to reducing our delivery commission by 3–5% based on our current volume?”
- “Is there a tiered plan that offers a better rate as our sales continue to grow?”
- “Could we explore options to reduce our fees if we participate in more promotions or commit to a seasonal exclusivity window?”
You’re not asking for a favor—you’re discussing a business adjustment that works for both sides.
Pro Tip: If you use Orders.co, you can present your performance data across multiple platforms in a single report. That helps you speak confidently, especially if you’re comparing results or deciding which platform to prioritize.
Leverage Non-Monetary Benefits For A Better Deal
Lowering commissions with food delivery apps isn’t always about asking for a smaller cut. Sometimes, what you really need is more value from the partnership. Here are a few ways to do that.
Better Visibility Within the App
Ask if your restaurant can be featured in local searches, category highlights, or homepage listings. These placements can lead to more orders, which helps offset your delivery commission without needing to change your rate.
Access to Promotions and Ad Credits
Delivery apps often have advertising budgets set aside for partner promotions. If you’re performing well, ask for ad credits or inclusion in seasonal marketing campaigns. Mention if you’re willing to promote your presence on the platform through your own channels.
Improved Operational Support
Having a direct support contact or priority assistance during peak times can save hours each week. You can also ask for tools that give you more visibility into performance—like detailed reporting dashboards or early access to new features.
Why This Matters
These non-monetary benefits won’t show up as a discount, but they can make a noticeable impact on your revenue and daily operations. They’re often easier for the platform to offer, and they show that you’re looking for a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.
Don’t Want To Rely On One Platform? Play The Field (Smartly)
Why Diversification Gives You Leverage
When you’re active on more than one platform—say, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub—you can compare performance and use real data to inform your decisions. This puts you in a stronger position to ask for better rates, especially if you’re seeing better results elsewhere.
If one platform charges a higher commission but brings in fewer orders, it may be time to reduce your spend there or focus your efforts elsewhere.
Showing that you’re evaluating your options based on actual numbers makes your request for better terms more credible.
How to Stay Organized Across Multiple Apps
Managing multiple delivery services can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With Orders.co, you can consolidate all your orders into one device and manage your menus, reports, and updates from a single dashboard. This gives you a clear view of what each platform is costing—and earning—you.
Orders.co Can Help You To:
- Consolidates all delivery apps into one tablet, reducing clutter and missed orders.
- Centralizes order tracking, so you can compare performance across platforms in real time.
- Manages one unified menu that updates across all third-party services with a single click.
- Generates platform-specific reports, helping you see where you’re paying more—and where you’re making more.
- Supports negotiation with data, giving you the insights you need to confidently speak with platform reps.
Being on multiple apps isn’t about spreading yourself thin. It’s about understanding your performance, identifying your strongest partnerships, and deciding what’s best for your business.
Schedule a brief demo today to see how it can help your business!
Think Beyond Negotiation: Implement Long-Term Margin Strategies
Negotiating a better commission rate is a smart move, but it’s just one part of protecting your profits. The bigger opportunity is reducing your reliance on third-party fees altogether by building a strong direct ordering channel.
Here’s how to do that without disrupting your current setup.
Build a Direct Ordering Website
If you don’t already have a way for customers to order directly from your restaurant, now’s the time. A commission-free ordering site helps you keep more from every sale and gives you full access to customer data—something delivery apps typically don’t share.
With Orders.co, you can launch a direct ordering website in under 30 seconds. It’s fully mobile-optimized, easy to update, and supports commission-free delivery using your own staff or our delivery partners.
Offer Incentives to Shift Ordering Behavior
Customers may already be familiar with using apps, but you can shift their habits with small incentives. Offer exclusive items, loyalty points, or slightly lower prices for those who order directly. You can even include a small card or QR code with each delivery app order that encourages them to try your website next time.
Connect Marketing to Ordering
Use tools like email and SMS to promote your direct ordering options. With Orders.co, you can set up automated campaigns that remind past customers to reorder or come back with a special offer, without lifting a finger after setup.
These steps won’t eliminate your use of delivery platforms, but they’ll make them part of a larger strategy—one where you keep more revenue and build stronger customer relationships over time.
Bonus Tool: Use This Calculator To Know When You’re Losing Money
Before negotiating, it’s important to know exactly how much third-party fees are affecting your margins. Many restaurant owners are surprised when they see how much they’re actually paying out per order—especially once all fees are included.
Here’s a simple way to calculate it.
Basic Formula to Evaluate Your Delivery Costs
To estimate your profit per third-party order, use this breakdown:
Let’s say your average order is $40, food cost is 30% ($12), and your combined delivery fees are 28% ($11.20). That leaves you with only $16.80—and that’s before labor, packaging, or rent.
If your in-house orders on a commission-free system leave you with a higher profit margin, it’s a strong case for adjusting your strategy or rebalancing how much volume you accept through each platform.
Want a Shortcut?
Orders.co includes reporting tools that automatically calculate your profit per platform, top-performing delivery apps, and average basket size. No need to build spreadsheets from scratch. Just log in and view the numbers that matter.
Understanding your true costs gives you more clarity and confidence when negotiating with delivery platforms or deciding where to spend your marketing dollars.
See How The Tool Works In Real Life
Keep More Of What You Earn
Delivery apps can play a valuable role in growing your business, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for high commission rates.
When you know your numbers and understand your value, you have every reason to start a conversation about better terms.
Whether it’s negotiating lower commissions with food delivery apps, improving your placement, or building a stronger direct ordering channel, small steps can lead to better margins and more control over your business.
The most successful restaurants aren’t just managing orders—they’re managing how they get paid.
Here’s how Orders.co can help:
Restaurant Online Order Management
Consolidate all your third-party delivery apps into a single tablet. Manage orders from Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and your own website—without switching devices. This restaurants online order management system simplifies operations, reduces order errors, and saves staff time during peak hours.
Dispute Management
Quickly identify and respond to chargebacks and incorrect fees from delivery platforms. Our AI-powered dispute management assistant flags issues in real time, helps you submit disputes efficiently, and tracks every case with full transparency.
Local Business Optimization
Boost your restaurant’s visibility in local search results across Google, Yelp, and 80+ directories. Improve your online reputation, increase traffic, and ensure your restaurant info is accurate everywhere it matters.
Menu Management
Manage your menu pricing, update availability, and menu items across all platforms from one dashboard. Set custom pricing for different apps and avoid manual edits on every system. Menu updates go live within minutes.
Custom Ordering Website
Launch your own direct ordering website—no commissions, no delays. Orders.co builds it in under 30 seconds using your live menu and branding. Keep customer data, promote your own specials, and improve your margins.
Guest Feedback Monitoring
Track real-time feedback from customers across platforms. Identify trends, respond to issues quickly, and use insights to improve service. You’ll know what your guests are saying—and what to fix—before it affects your reputation.
Integrations
Orders.co integrates with 30+ POS systems, major delivery platforms, and payment providers. Whether you’re working with Stripe, Square, Clover, or Toast, we make sure your systems talk to each other with no extra hassle.
Reporting
See where your money is going and what’s working across every delivery channel. Our reports show order volume, provider performance, top-selling items, and more—all in one place. Make data-driven decisions with confidence.
→ Ready to take control of your delivery costs? Schedule a free demo today.
FAQ
What are some other ways to lower commissions with food delivery apps beyond negotiation?
In addition to direct negotiation, restaurants can lower commissions with food delivery apps by shifting repeat customers to direct ordering channels, offering exclusive deals on their own websites, and using in-house delivery for local orders. Optimizing order value and participating in performance-based programs can also provide leverage to request reduced fees.
What is the flat fee for delivery if I handle it myself?
If you operate in-house or use on-demand drivers, the flat fee for delivery typically includes fuel, driver wages, and vehicle costs. On average, this can range between $5 to $9 per delivery depending on your area and resources. Managing this internally can help reduce reliance on platforms with higher delivery commissions.
How do restaurant delivery app fees compare across platforms?
Restaurant delivery app fees vary by provider. Most charge a commission of 15% to 30%, with additional service fees and optional marketing costs. Comparing platforms side by side is essential for understanding true cost impact and finding opportunities to lower commissions with food delivery apps over time.
Are food delivery apps profitable for small restaurants?
Food delivery apps can be profitable if used strategically. While they bring exposure and convenience, high commission fees can shrink margins. To stay profitable, small restaurants often combine third-party delivery with direct ordering solutions. This hybrid approach helps them lower commissions with food delivery apps while growing customer loyalty.
How much do food delivery services charge restaurants in 2025?
In 2025, major food delivery services typically charge restaurants 15%–30% per order in commission, plus 2%–4% in service or processing fees. Optional promotions and ads can increase total costs. Understanding how much food delivery services charge restaurants—and tracking it regularly—can support smarter negotiations and better long-term planning.
Can technology help me lower commissions with food delivery apps?
Yes, restaurant tech platforms like Orders.co can give you the tools to track order performance, automate menu updates, and consolidate data across platforms. These insights make it easier to negotiate lower commissions with food delivery apps and shift more volume to direct channels where you keep more of your revenue.
Is it possible to build a long-term strategy to lower commissions with food delivery apps?
Absolutely. A long-term strategy includes using direct ordering platforms, investing in customer retention tools, and analyzing your reports regularly. Over time, this allows you to gradually lower commissions with food delivery apps while maintaining steady volume and profitability.
