The Silent Profit Killer: The 30% Problem

For the modern restaurateur, online ordering is no longer a "luxury" or a "side stream"—it is the backbone of the business.However, as we move into 2025, a grueling reality has set in: the very platforms that provided a lifeline during the digital shift are now the ones suffocating the bottom line.

Third-party delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub typically charge commissions ranging from 15% to 30% per order. When you consider that the average restaurant’s profit margin sits between 3% and 9%, the math simply doesn't add up. You are essentially handing over your entire profit—and then some—to a middleman.

This is why "commission-free online ordering" has become the most searched-for phrase in the restaurant tech space. Operators are looking for a way to provide the convenience their customers demand without the financial penalty.

The 2025 Delivery Fee Landscape

As of 2025, third-party apps have introduced even more complex fee structures. Between "small order fees," "delivery radius surcharges," and "service fees," the consumer is paying more, while the restaurant is earning less.

The biggest shift this year has been the transparency of "Uber Eats delivery fees 2025." Customers are becoming savvy to the markup. When a guest sees that their $15 burrito costs $24 after fees and tips on a third-party app, they don't blame the app—they feel the restaurant is overpriced.

By using a direct-to-consumer platform like Town, you can offer the same convenience at the "true" price, protecting your brand's value and your customer's wallet.

Town vs. Owner.com vs. Popmenu: The Comparison

If you've been researching how to ditch the commissions, names like Owner.com and Popmenu have likely popped up. These are the industry heavyweights, but they come with different philosophies and price tags.

Owner.com Pricing

Owner.com is known for its robust "all-in-one" approach. However, many owners find their pricing can be steep for smaller operations, often involving significant monthly subscriptions that can put a dent in the budget before a single order is even placed. While they offer great tools, the "barrier to entry" is high.

Popmenu Pricing

Popmenu focuses heavily on the "interactive menu" experience. Their pricing is generally tiered, meaning as you want more features (like automated marketing or advanced SEO), your monthly bill increases. For some, the complexity of the tiers makes it difficult to forecast annual software costs.

The Town Advantage (Town.club)

Town was built to bridge the gap. We focus on the two things that actually drive revenue: a high-converting website and a seamless, commission-free ordering flow.

• No "Per-Order" Tax: You keep every dollar of your sales.

• Simple ROI: Because there are no hidden tiers, you know exactly what your software costs are, making it easier to scale.

• Speed to Market: While other platforms take weeks of "onboarding," Town is designed to get your digital storefront live and taking orders with minimal friction.

The Myth of the "New Customer"

The most common argument in favor of third-party apps is that they "bring you new customers." While this is true for the first few months of a restaurant's life, data shows that over 70% of orders on these apps come from returning customers who already know your brand.

These apps aren't "finding" you new guests; they are "intercepting" your loyal ones.

When a loyal customer searches for you on Google and clicks an Uber Eats link instead of your website, you just paid 30% to talk to someone you already knew. By using Town, you ensure that when someone searches for your "Town" location, they land on your site, use your checkout, and stay your customer.

Who Owns the Data?

In the digital economy, data is more valuable than oil. When a customer orders through a third-party app, they are their customer, not yours. You don't get their email address. You don't get their phone number. You can't remarket to them with a Tuesday "Buy One Get One" deal.

Commission-free platforms like Town give the power back to the owner.

• Email Lists: Automatically build a database of every person who has ever ordered from you.

• Ordering Habits: Know that "Table 4" always orders the spicy tuna roll on Fridays, and send them a targeted notification on Friday afternoon.

• Direct Communication: If there is a delay in the kitchen, you can contact the guest directly, building a relationship rather than hiding behind an app's support bot.

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): The "Town" Way

It’s not enough to just have an online ordering page; that page has to "sell."

Many free or low-cost ordering systems look like they were designed in the 90s. They are clunky, not mobile-optimized, and they lead to "cart abandonment." Town websites are built using the same psychological triggers that Amazon and Uber use to keep people clicking.

The Long-Term ROI of Going Direct

Let’s look at the numbers. If your restaurant does $20,000 a month in online orders:

• On a Third-Party App (30%): You pay $6,000/month in commissions.

• On Town (Commission-Free): You pay a flat software fee. Even if that fee were $300, you are saving $5,700 every single month.

That is $68,400 a year back in your pocket. That is the cost of a new manager, a renovated patio, or a massive local marketing campaign to dominate your area.

Taking Back Your Town

The "convenience" of third-party apps has come at a cost that is no longer sustainable. As delivery fees continue to rise in 2025, the restaurants that survive and thrive will be the ones that own their digital real estate.

By choosing a dedicated platform like Town, you aren't just saving on fees—you are reclaiming your relationship with your guests, your data, and your profits.

It’s time to stop paying a "success tax" on every meal you cook. It’s time to move your business to Town.