Delivery platform fees are one of the biggest expenses for restaurants today. Understanding what you pay—and why—can help you make smarter decisions about your delivery strategy.
How Delivery Platforms Charge Restaurants
Delivery platforms like DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub charge restaurants a commission on each order. This is their primary revenue stream. The fees cover:
- Platform technology and app maintenance
- Customer acquisition and marketing
- Delivery driver payments
- Customer support
- Payment processing
2026 Commission Rates Comparison
| Platform | Basic Plan | Pro Plan | Premier/Prime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚗 DoorDash | 30% | 25% | 15% |
| 🟢 UberEats | 30% | 25% | 15% |
| 🟠Grubhub | 30% | 25% | 15-20% |
Note: Rates may vary by market and contract. Contact each platform for current pricing in your area.
What Each Plan Includes
Basic/Standard Tier (~30%)
- Basic listing on the platform
- Standard customer support
- No promotional features
Pro/Mid Tier (~25%)
- Better placement in search results
- Some promotional features
- Priority customer support
Prime/Premier Tier (~15%)
- Top search placement
- Full promotional features
- Dedicated account manager
- Lowest commission rate
Additional Fees to Consider
Beyond the commission percentage, there are other costs:
- Delivery fees: Often passed to customers, but can be absorbed
- Credit card processing: Typically 2-3% per transaction
- Promotional fees: Optional fees for featured placement
- Photo shoots: Professional food photography (optional but recommended)
📊 Calculate Your Delivery Fee Impact
Use our free Delivery Fee Analyzer to see exactly how much you're paying and identify savings opportunities.
Analyze Your Fees →How to Reduce Your Delivery Costs
1. Negotiate Your Rate
If you're doing significant volume, contact your platform representative to negotiate better rates. Even 5% savings adds up quickly.
2. Move to a Higher Tier
If your volume supports it, the lower commission rates in higher tiers often pay for themselves. Calculate your breakeven point.
3. Optimize Menu Pricing
Build platform fees into your pricing strategy. This doesn't mean raising everything—focus on high-margin items where you have more flexibility.
4. Reduce Platform Dependency
Build your own ordering channel (website, app) to capture orders directly. You keep 100% instead of paying 15-30%.
5. Use Multiple Platforms Strategically
Not all platforms charge the same in every market. Test different platforms and focus on the ones with the best rates for your area.
The True Cost of Delivery
Let's look at a $25 order example:
- Order total: $25.00
- Platform fee (25%): $6.25
- Payment processing (3%): $0.75
- Total fees: $7.00
- You receive: $18.00
On a $25 order, you're paying $7 in fees. That's $7,000 in fees on $25,000 in monthly delivery revenue. Understanding these numbers is the first step to optimizing them.
Direct Ordering: The Alternative
Many restaurants are investing in direct ordering (website, app, phone) to reduce platform fees. With direct ordering:
- You keep 100% of the order
- You own the customer relationship
- No risk of platform policy changes
- Better customer data for marketing
The trade-off is you handle delivery logistics yourself or use a delivery-only service.
Key Takeaways
- Platform fees range from 15-30% depending on your plan
- Higher tiers offer significant savings for high-volume restaurants
- Additional fees beyond commission add up quickly
- Building direct ordering can eliminate platform fees
- Negotiation is possible with volume
Next Steps
Understanding your delivery costs is the first step to optimizing them. Use our free Delivery Fee Analyzer to see exactly what you're paying and identify specific savings opportunities.