Guide
How much does Grubhub take from restaurants?
Grubhub, like the other delivery marketplaces, charges restaurants a commission on every order in exchange for app exposure and delivery, typically in the 15% to 30% range, plus fees. This guide breaks down the pricing, the true monthly cost, and how to keep offering delivery while holding on to far more of each order.
By Town · Reviewed July 2026 · ~9 min read
How Grubhub's commissions work
Grubhub uses tiered plans that trade commission for visibility. A lower-cost tier means a smaller cut but less exposure, while higher tiers cost more per order and promise more reach and marketing tools. Most restaurants end up in the 15% to 30% per order band on delivery, with additional charges for processing, promoted placement, and order errors.
Check current rates
These are typical ranges, not a quote. Grubhub sets and updates its own pricing. Verify the current tiers and fees with Grubhub and in your agreement.
The monthly reality
On a $35 ticket at 25%, Grubhub takes about $8.75 per order. At 20 orders a day that is roughly $5,250 a month in commission. Add sponsored placement and the effective take climbs higher. For a small restaurant, that is often the difference between a profitable month and a break-even one.
You do not own the customer
The commission is only half the cost. Grubhub keeps the customer's details and order history, so you cannot bring that guest back with your own loyalty or promotions. Every order builds Grubhub's list, not yours.
The better structure
Use Grubhub and the other apps for what they are genuinely good at, discovery, and move repeat business to your own channel. With Town, orders come through your branded site and delivery runs on the same DoorDash Drive and Uber Direct driver networks at a flat low fee, so you keep the margin, the data, and the relationship. The playbook in DoorDash for Restaurants applies to Grubhub too.
Key takeaways
- Grubhub commissions typically run about 15% to 30% per order, plus processing and promotion fees.
- At a $35 ticket and 20 orders a day, commission alone is roughly $5,250 a month.
- Grubhub keeps your customer data, so you cannot remarket or build loyalty.
- Use the marketplace for discovery, not as your main ordering channel.
- Direct orders on your own site with real driver networks keep far more of each order.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage does Grubhub take from restaurants?
Why is Grubhub so expensive for restaurants?
Can I keep delivery without paying Grubhub's commission?
Should I use Grubhub at all?
How do I move Grubhub customers to direct ordering?
Stop renting your own customers
Direct orders at 0% commission, on the same drivers.