Commission fees of 20–30% per order eat directly into already-thin margins. You’re paying the equivalent of rent for every delivery, just to access customers who were likely searching for your restaurant in the first place.

Worse, you don’t even own the relationship — the app does. They control your photos, your listings, your reviews, your data, and ultimately, your repeat business.

That’s why thousands of restaurants are saying enough — transitioning to commission-free, direct-to-consumer ordering systems that give them full control of their brand and bottom line.

Step 1: Understand the Real Cost of Third-Party Apps

Let’s break it down:

Now multiply that by 1,000 monthly orders. That’s $12,000–$30,000 per year disappearing into the pockets of delivery platforms.

That money could fund a new menu rollout, staff raises, or local marketing — yet instead, it’s funding billion-dollar corporations that use your food to grow their audience.

When you switch to a commission-free system, you don’t lose customers — you lose the middleman.

Step 2: Collect and Own Your Customer Data

Data is the single most powerful tool in the modern restaurant industry.

Every time a guest orders through Uber Eats or DoorDash, you lose:

• Their email and phone number

• Their order preferences

• Their frequency and lifetime value

That means you can’t:

• Invite them to reorder

• Send loyalty rewards

• Offer personalized promotions

In short, you lose the chance to build a relationship.

The solution? Make it a top priority to collect customer information from every in-store visit, takeout order, and catering request.

Encourage direct ordering with:

• A simple QR code linking to your website

• Loyalty signup at checkout

• Incentives like “Order direct next time and save 10%”

When you own the data, you own the relationship.

Step 3: Launch a “Direct & Save” Campaign

The transition away from third-party apps isn’t just technical — it’s psychological. Your customers are creatures of habit.

To shift their behavior, you’ll need to create a campaign that makes ordering directly feel rewarding, not risky.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Use Clear, Value-Driven Messaging

“Order directly from us — it’s faster, cheaper, and helps our restaurant keep 100% of your order.”

2. Offer Incentives That Matter

• 10% off first direct order

• Free delivery or drink

• Double loyalty points

3. Promote Everywhere

Add messaging to your receipts, napkins, website, and social channels. Encourage staff to mention it during dine-in and pickup interactions.

Even better: send a personalized SMS or email with a direct link to your ordering page.

Step 4: Match or Beat App Convenience

Here’s the biggest reason customers use delivery apps: convenience.

To win them over, your direct ordering experience needs to be:
✅ Fast (no endless loading or account creation)
✅ Mobile-friendly (most users order on phones)
✅ Integrated (delivery, pickup, and dine-in options together)

That’s where Town comes in.

Town was built specifically for restaurants that want a commission-free, branded ordering system — complete with mobile optimization, loyalty tools, and real-time analytics.

It feels just as smooth as Uber Eats or DoorDash, but every order (and every dollar) goes directly to you.

Step 5: Retrain Your Team

Your staff are your best marketers. Make sure they understand how direct ordering benefits everyone:

• The restaurant keeps more revenue

• The guest saves money

• The experience is faster and more personal

Encourage friendly scripts like:

“Hey, next time you can order direct from our website — it’s cheaper for you and helps us out a ton.”

Small conversations like that build awareness faster than any ad campaign.

Step 6: Transition Gradually (60–90 Days)

You don’t have to quit delivery apps cold turkey. In fact, a phased approach works best:

Weeks 1–4: Begin promoting direct ordering on all channels. Keep your app listings active.

Weeks 5–8: Lower your visibility on third-party apps — pause paid boosts or mark your menu slightly higher to offset commissions.

Weeks 9–12: Evaluate traffic, identify your repeat direct customers, and phase out app reliance as direct orders stabilize.

Within three months, many restaurants see 50–70% of app users switch to direct channels once they realize it’s faster, cheaper, and supports the restaurant directly.

Step 7: Measure and Optimize

Once your direct ordering is live, track key metrics:

• Direct vs. third-party order volume

• Repeat order rates

• Average ticket size

• Customer acquisition cost

Tools like Town include built-in analytics dashboards that show exactly where your orders come from, which channels convert best, and how your SEO is improving.

The more you measure, the faster you grow.

Step 8: Build Long-Term Loyalty

Finally, the secret to keeping customers off third-party apps isn’t just saving money — it’s building loyalty.

Start simple:

• Reward every direct order with points or cashback

• Email customers weekly with specials and new dishes

• Offer exclusive perks (“Free dessert for direct orders this weekend”)

Customers who feel seen and rewarded will naturally prefer your channel over an app that treats them like a number.

The Takeaway: Freedom, Profit, and Control

Leaving third-party apps behind isn’t about rejecting technology — it’s about reclaiming ownership.

When you run your own online ordering system, you:

• Keep 100% of your revenue

• Own your data and relationships

• Strengthen your brand

• Build a loyal base that orders directly from you

In an era where margins are tighter and competition is fierce, independence isn’t a luxury — it’s survival.

With Town, you can finally stop paying delivery fees, keep your profits where they belong, and turn one-time customers into lifetime regulars.