You might feel powerless, but you have more leverage than you think. Here is how to fight back and reduce commission costs.

1. Negotiate Your Rates (Yes, You Can)

Many owners ask, "Should I negotiate rates with delivery platforms or accept standard terms?" Always negotiate.

• The "Exclusive" Bluff: If you have high volume on DoorDash, call your Uber Eats rep. Tell them you are considering going exclusive with DoorDash unless they can lower your rate to 20%.

• Multi-Location Leverage: If you own more than one spot, never sign individual contracts. Bundle them for a group rate.

• Standard terms are for suckers. Sales reps have quotas. Use that to your advantage near the end of the quarter.

2. The "Hybrid" Delivery Model

One of the cheapest ways to manage delivery in 2026 is the hybrid model.

• Self-Delivery for Close Range: Hire one driver for Friday/Saturday nights to handle orders within a 2-mile radius. Keep 100% of the delivery fee.

• Outsource Long Range: Use DoorDash Drive or Uber Direct only for orders that are 5+ miles away. You pay a flat fee per delivery (often ~$7-8) rather than a commission percentage.

3. Price Differencing (The "Surcharge" Strategy)

Stop absorbing the cost. If Uber Eats charges you 30%, your menu prices on Uber Eats should be 30% higher than your dine-in menu.

• Transparency: Put a note in your app bio: "Prices on third-party apps are higher to cover their commissions. Order direct at [YourURL] for our standard prices."

• Customer Psychology: Customers who value convenience will pay it. Customers who value price will switch to your direct channel.

4. Audit Your "Promotions"

Check your statements. Are you paying for "$5 off" promotions that you didn't authorize? Both Uber and DoorDash often auto-enroll restaurants into marketing campaigns. Opt out immediately. These are "vanity metrics" that increase volume but destroy margin.

The Future: The era of "growth at all costs" is over. 2026 is the year of profit at all costs. By auditing your fees, negotiating hard, and pushing direct orders, you can survive the fee hikes.