But is their solution—charging a high flat monthly fee plus a per-order customer fee—really the "zero commission" hero it claims to be?

Let’s look at the numbers behind Owner.com pricing and see how Town.club offers a more sustainable path for independent restaurants in 2026.

The "Flat Fee" Reality Check

Owner.com typically charges restaurants a flat subscription fee, often around $499 per month. They justify this by saying, "It's cheaper than commissions!" And yes, if you do $10,000 a month in delivery sales, a $499 flat fee is better than the $3,000 you'd pay Uber Eats.

However, there are two major risks with this model:

1. The Slow Month Risk: In January or February, when sales dip, that high fixed bill still comes due. A high subscription fee hurts your cash flow disproportionately during slow seasons.

2. The "Hidden" 5% Customer Fee: This is the part they don't put on the billboard. In addition to your monthly fee, Owner.com typically adds a 5% "convenience fee" to every customer's order.

Why the 5% Customer Fee Matters

You might think, "So what? The customer pays it, not me." Think again.

• Sticker Shock: A customer goes to your "direct" site expecting lower prices. Instead, they see a service fee added at checkout. This creates friction and can cause them to abandon the cart and go back to DoorDash.

• It's Still a Tax: Whether it comes out of your end or the customer's end, it's a 5% tax on every direct transaction that doesn't go to you.

The Town.club Advantage: True Commission-Free AND Affordable

We built Town.club to solve the same problem (hating commissions) but without trading it for a massive monthly subscription or hidden customer fees.

• Better Pricing: We offer a significantly lower flat monthly cost for the same core "direct ordering" technology.

• No Forced Customer Fees: We don't force high convenience fees on your diners to subsidize our business model. You control the checkout experience.

• Same "Aggregator" Power: Like Owner, we help you pull customers off the apps. We give you the marketing tools (flyers, QR codes, email blasts) to convert DoorDash users into direct regulars.

Why "Town" is the Smart Switch

You shouldn't have to choose between "paying 30% commissions to Uber" and "paying a massive monthly rent plus customer fees to software." There is a middle ground. Town.club provides the commission-free online ordering solutions you need—mobile app-like experience, Apple Pay, loyalty points—at a price point that makes sense for a business that watches every penny.

Don't trade one master for another. Choose true independence. Choose Town.