- What Are Third-Party Delivery Services?
- When Third-Party Delivery Makes Sense?
- Smarter Strategies For Managing Multiple Delivery Apps
- How To Shift Customers To Direct Ordering?
- Take The Next Step Toward Simpler, Smarter Delivery
- FAQ
Whether you run a local pizzeria or a busy ghost kitchen, chances are you’re already listed on at least one third-party delivery service, maybe more. And if you’re not, you’re probably thinking about it.
These platforms offer convenience and reach. But they also come with high fees, limited control, and extra stress, especially when managing multiple apps, tablets, and delivery partners simultaneously.
This guide is for restaurant owners like you. It explains how third-party delivery services work, what they really cost, and how to get the most value from them. You’ll learn how to make smarter decisions, whether choosing your first delivery partner or reducing your reliance on them.
And if you’re looking for a better way to manage everything in one place, Orders.co offers a solution. We’ll show you how our tools can help you save time, keep your menu consistent, and focus on serving great food.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party delivery services help you reach new customers quickly.
- Using multiple delivery apps can increase visibility but also add complexity.
- Consolidating your platforms with Orders.co saves time and reduces errors.
- Encourage repeat customers to order directly through loyalty and promotions.
- Direct orders give you better margins, full customer data, and brand control.
- You don’t have to choose one or the other—use both methods strategically.
- Orders.co offers tools for online order management, menu updates, reporting, and more.
What Are Third-Party Delivery Services?
Third-party delivery services are apps or platforms that connect your restaurant to customers who want food delivered. Think DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. They handle the ordering interface, payment processing, and delivery logistics. In exchange, they charge you a commission on every order, usually between 15% and 30%.
These services can help restaurants reach a wider audience, especially those who might not know your brand yet. But it’s not just about exposure. You also give up certain things, like complete control over customer data, menu presentation, and pricing structure.
Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding how these third-party delivery services operate is the first step to using them on your terms, not theirs.
If you’re tired of juggling multiple platforms or want more control, Orders.co lets you manage third-party delivery and direct orders in one place. Schedule a free demo to see how it works.
When Third-Party Delivery Makes Sense?
Third-party delivery apps are a big part of how people order food today. They offer restaurants a way to reach new customers, accept online orders, and get food delivered without hiring drivers.
If your restaurant is just starting out or you’re short on staff, these platforms can help you quickly get orders out the door.
You don’t need to worry about setting up your own delivery team or building an ordering website from scratch. The delivery apps handle the customer interface and delivery process, so you can focus on cooking and running your business.
Here are a few situations where third-party delivery makes good business sense:
- You’re opening a new location or launching a ghost kitchen.
- You want to reach people in your area who haven’t heard of you yet.
- You don’t have the resources to manage delivery in-house.
- You want to test online demand before investing in your own system.
The market for online delivery is only growing. In 2024, U.S. delivery sales reached $353 billion, $95 billion of which came from meal delivery. By 2029, the total is expected to go over $500 billion.
Many restaurants use third-party platforms as a reliable part of their delivery setup. The key is knowing how to use them efficiently and organizing your operations.
If you’re managing multiple apps or dealing with menu updates across different platforms, it can start to take up a lot of time. That’s where Orders.co can help. We connect all your delivery platforms in one place, so you don’t have to switch between tablets or enter the same information multiple times.
Also, read:
- Guide To Setting Up A Restaurant Ordering Website For Local Businesses
- How To Set Up Your Online Restaurant Delivery System?
- 10 Best Restaurant Online Food Ordering Systems For Seamless Restaurant Operations
- 7 Essential Reasons Why Your Restaurant Needs An Ordering Website
- How To Optimize Your Restaurant Order Management & Increase Online Orders
Smarter Strategies For Managing Multiple Delivery Apps
Most restaurant owners don’t stick with just one delivery app. Using two, three, or even more is common to stay visible across different platforms. While this can help you bring in more orders, it also creates more work, especially when managing menus, tracking orders, and training staff.
Each platform has its dashboard, tablet, and rules. That means you or your team might juggle multiple devices during busy shifts. Mistakes happen and orders get missed, especially when simple changes—like updating a sold-out item—take longer than expected.
That’s where an all-in-one solution makes a big difference.
With Orders.co’s Restaurant Online Orders Management System, you can connect all your third-party delivery apps to a single device. You’ll be able to:
- View all incoming orders in one place, no matter which platform they come from
- Sync your menus across every app so you don’t have to update each one manually.
- Push changes to prices or item availability with just a few clicks.
- Cut down on training time—your staff only needs to learn one system.
- Reduce order mistakes by working from a single, consistent interface.
Whether you’re working with Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, or others, Orders.co helps you stay organized without the tech headache.
Want a better way to manage your delivery apps? Schedule a free demo with Orders.co and see how it works.
How To Shift Customers To Direct Ordering?
Third-party apps are great for reaching new people, but building direct relationships with your customers is better for your business in the long term. When customers order through your website, you save on fees, keep full control of the experience, and gain access to customer data that can help you grow.
Many restaurant owners worry that switching to direct ordering means losing visibility. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can still stay on third-party apps while encouraging repeat customers to order from you directly.
Here are a few ways to do that:
- Offer loyalty rewards for customers who order through your website. After a few orders, you can give them points, discounts, or a free item.
- Include a flyer or card in each third-party delivery bag. Add a QR code that leads to your website and highlight the benefits of ordering directly.
- Run promotions that are only available on your site, such as bundle deals, limited-time offers, or exclusive menu items.
- Use email or text campaigns to remind customers to order directly next time. A simple message with a small incentive can go a long way.
Orders.co makes this shift easy. You can create a custom online ordering website that matches your brand, connect it to your existing POS system, and use built-in tools to send text and email promotions. We also offer loyalty programs and menu QR codes to help keep customers coming back.
Want to start building your own direct ordering channel? Schedule a free demo, and we’ll show you how Orders.co can help.
Take The Next Step Toward Simpler, Smarter Delivery
Delivery is here to stay. But it doesn’t have to drain your time or eat into your margins.
With Orders.co, restaurant owners can manage third-party delivery and direct orders in one place. Our AI-powered tools help you reduce manual work, automate updates, and make decisions backed by real data. Whether you’re just getting started with delivery or looking to improve your current setup, Orders.co is built to support how you work.
Here’s what you can do with Orders.co:
Restaurant Online Orders Management
Restaurant Online Orders Management brings all your online orders from every third-party delivery app into one device. You can stop switching between tablets and keep everything organized in one place.
Local Business Optimization
Local Business Optimization improves your visibility in local search results by syncing your restaurant’s information across 80+ online directories. It helps customers find and order from you more easily.
Menu Management
Menu Management lets you update prices, availability, and items across all your platforms from one dashboard. You won’t have to log into each delivery app individually—just make the change once, and it applies everywhere.
Custom Ordering Website
With Custom Ordering Website, you can build a branded site for direct orders. You get full control over your menu, pricing, and promotions—without paying commission to third-party apps.
Guest Feedback Monitoring
Guest Feedback Monitoring gives you insight into what customers are saying. You can track reviews from multiple sources and respond quickly to improve service and protect your reputation.
Integrations
Integrations connect Orders.co with over 30 POS systems and all major delivery platforms. This makes it easy for orders to move directly from the customer to your kitchen without extra steps.
Reporting
Reporting shows your sales performance, top-selling items, and ordering trends. You’ll have the data you need to make smarter decisions—no spreadsheets required.
Dispute Management
Dispute Management uses AI to help you handle chargebacks and platform errors. It tracks disputes, suggests responses, and helps you recover revenue that would otherwise be lost.
Want to see how it all works? Schedule your free demo today and take back control of your delivery business.
FAQ
How do I choose between different delivery services for my restaurant?
Choosing between different delivery services depends on your goals, location, and restaurant type. Research which platforms are most popular in your area, then compare their fees, reach, and integration options. Some restaurants even use multiple 3rd party delivery services to increase visibility while managing them all in one place using a tool like Orders.co.
You should also consider how different delivery services handle support, menu updates, and customer communication. These operational factors can have just as much impact as the cost per order.
Can I still grow my direct sales if I use third-party delivery services?
Yes, absolutely. Many restaurants use third-party delivery services to acquire new customers while encouraging repeat orders through their website or app. The key is to treat third-party delivery as a marketing and exposure channel, not your central sales system.
With the right strategy, 3rd party delivery can help bring in first-time customers, and tools like loyalty programs, promo flyers, and QR codes can shift those customers to your direct channels.
What’s the best way to handle customer data when using third-party delivery?
Most third-party delivery apps don’t share full customer data with restaurants. To build lasting customer relationships, it’s important to create a direct ordering option where you can collect and manage your own data responsibly.
You can still benefit from 3rd party delivery services by using them to promote exclusive offers and encourage users to opt in for updates or loyalty programs through your website.
Can I customize how I work with third-party restaurant delivery service platforms?
Yes, many restaurants customize how they use third-party restaurant delivery service platforms by adjusting their menu offerings, pricing, hours, and order preferences per platform. This lets you test what works best across different services while keeping operations manageable.
Using a unified tool like Orders.co allows you to manage multiple third-party delivery services in one place, which saves time and reduces order errors.
How can I handle customer service issues across 3rd party delivery apps?
When issues arise through a third-party delivery, such as late orders or incorrect items, customers often contact the restaurant first—even though the issue may be out of your hands. To protect your brand, create clear internal processes for handling complaints tied to 3rd party delivery.
Some platforms have built-in support for dispute resolution, but if you’re using different delivery services, a tool like Orders.co’s Dispute Management can help track and respond to issues more efficiently.
Are there long-term risks of depending only on third-party delivery?
While third-party delivery platforms offer a lot of benefits, relying on them exclusively can limit your control over branding, pricing, and customer relationships. Restaurants that build their own ordering websites reduce long-term risks and grow more stable revenue.
It’s smart to treat third-party delivery services as one part of a broader delivery strategy. Diversifying across 3rd party delivery and direct channels helps protect your margins and gives you more flexibility over time.
