Commission-free online ordering for independent restaurants
Delivery apps are great at finding new customers and expensive at keeping them. Here is how to move your regulars to ordering on your own website, what it really costs, and how to set it up so people actually use it.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 17 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Marketplace delivery commissions in the US typically run from 15% to 30% of the order subtotal, and Uber Eats raised several of its rates in March 2026.
- "Commission-free" ordering still has costs — card processing, software and sometimes delivery — but they are usually far lower than marketplace commissions.
- Use the apps for discovery and your own website for repeat customers.
- The ordering page has to be fast, mobile-first, accessible and one tap from your Google Business Profile, or customers will default back to the apps.
Why owning your online orders matters now
Margins are thin. In its 2026 State of the Restaurant Industry release, the National Restaurant Association reported that 42% of operators said their restaurant was not profitable the previous year, and more than 9 in 10 cited food, labor, insurance, energy and swipe fees as significant challenges. When costs are that tight, the commission on every app order matters.
Here is what the two biggest US marketplaces publish:
- DoorDash: its merchant pricing page lists Marketplace delivery commissions of 15% (Basic), 25% (Plus) and 30% (Premier), plus 6% on pickup orders.
- Uber Eats: according to Restaurant Dive, from March 11, 2026 Uber Eats raised its Lite tier from 15% to 20%, set Plus at 30% for Uber One member orders (25% for others), kept Premium at 30% and lifted validated pickup commission from 6% to 7%.
On a US$40 order, a 15% commission is US$6, 25% is US$10 and 30% is US$12 — before you've paid for food, packaging or staff.
What "commission-free" actually means
Commission-free ordering means you take the order on your own website or app, so there is no percentage cut to a marketplace. It does not mean zero cost. You will still pay some combination of:
- Card processing on every online payment.
- Ordering software — a monthly subscription, or bundled into your POS plan.
- Delivery, if you offer it — your own drivers, or an on-demand courier priced per trip.
- Marketing to bring customers to your ordering page.
Even the marketplaces now offer this. DoorDash's own online ordering product is described as commission-free with a payment processing fee, and Square says orders through its ordering profile carry no extra commissions or marketplace fees, with processing fees applying. Check current rates on each provider's pricing page before you choose.
Your options compared
| Option | How you pay | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace apps | Percentage commission per order | Reaching new customers who don't know you yet | You don't own the customer data; high cost on repeat orders |
| Ordering built into your POS | Processing fees, sometimes a software plan | Restaurants already on that POS — orders flow straight to the kitchen | Generic-looking pages; limited branding and SEO |
| Marketplace "storefront" products | Processing fee, no commission | Quick set-up if you're already on the platform | Branding and customer relationship still partly tied to the platform |
| Ordering integrated into your own website | Processing plus software or a one-off build | Independents who want a branded experience and repeat business | Needs good design, upkeep and promotion to work |
For most independents, the sweet spot is your POS's ordering engine embedded in a fast, well-designed website you control, rather than a separate, unbranded link.
The hybrid model: apps for discovery, website for loyalty
You don't have to quit the apps. Many restaurants keep a lower-tier marketplace plan for visibility, then move repeat customers to direct ordering:
- Put a small card in every app delivery bag: "Order direct next time" with a QR code.
- Offer something the apps can't: a loyalty reward, a direct-only menu item or a pickup discount.
- Make "Order online" the main button on your website and Google Business Profile.
- Collect email or SMS opt-ins at checkout (with clear consent) so you can tell regulars about specials.
Checklist: an ordering page people will actually use
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ordering is one tap from your homepage and Google Business Profile | Most hungry customers arrive from search on a phone |
| Menu is real text, not a PDF or photo | Readable on phones, by search engines and by screen readers |
| Prices on your site are the same as or lower than the apps | Gives regulars a reason to switch |
| Guest checkout with Apple Pay / Google Pay | Fewer abandoned orders |
| Accurate hours, prep times and pickup instructions | Prevents angry calls and refunds |
| Fast loading on mobile data | Slow pages send people back to the apps |
| Accessible forms, buttons and contrast | Everyone can order, and you reduce legal risk |
| Orders go straight to the POS or kitchen display | No re-keying, fewer mistakes |
Accessibility deserves a special mention. Menus, ordering and checkout are where many restaurant websites fail keyboard and screen-reader users. Our website accessibility page explains how we test and fix those journeys.
Launching it: a simple four-week plan
- Week 1: Pick your ordering engine (usually your POS's) and confirm processing and delivery costs.
- Week 2: Rebuild your menu as structured text with photos, modifiers and allergens; connect ordering to your website.
- Week 3: Test on several phones, with a keyboard and a screen reader; place real test orders.
- Week 4: Update your Google Business Profile order link, social bios and in-store signage; launch your "order direct" offer.
If your current site makes this hard, our restaurant website design team builds menus, ordering and reservations into one fast site. For a broader look at what a modern restaurant site needs, see our restaurant website must-haves for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is commission-free online ordering really free?
No. There is no marketplace commission, but you still pay card processing and usually a software fee, plus delivery costs if you offer delivery. For most restaurants those costs are much lower per order than a 15–30% commission.
Should I leave DoorDash and Uber Eats completely?
Usually not. The apps are effective for discovery. A common approach is to stay on a lower-cost plan for new customers and actively move repeat customers to your own ordering.
Can I offer delivery without the apps?
Yes. Many POS and ordering systems connect to on-demand courier networks priced per delivery, or you can use your own drivers. Compare the per-trip cost with the commission you'd otherwise pay.
How do I get customers to order direct?
Make it the easiest option — prominent buttons, fast mobile checkout — and give a reason, such as loyalty points or a pickup discount. Promote it in delivery bags, on receipts and in your Google Business Profile.
Keep more of every order.
We'll review your current site and ordering set-up and show you where direct orders are leaking to the apps.
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