Guide

The restaurant’s guide to escaping third-party delivery fees

Delivery apps take 20–30% of every order and own your customer. Here’s how to shift to direct, low-fee ordering without losing the discovery they provide.

By Town · Reviewed July 2026 · ~9 min read

Why the fees hurt more than they look

A 25% commission on a $50 order is $12.50, but the bigger cost is the customer relationship you never get to keep. Add ‘regulatory’ and service fees and the true number climbs.

Keep discovery, move repeat orders

Marketplaces are fine for first-time discovery. The win is moving your repeat and direct orders to your own low-fee storefront so loyal customers stop costing you 25% each time.

The step-by-step exit

1) Stand up your own branded ordering. 2) Put it everywhere, site, Google, social, receipts, packaging. 3) Add loyalty so guests come back directly. 4) Keep delivery via multi-network logistics at the best rate. 5) Track the shift monthly.