Every time a customer orders through a delivery app, a significant portion of that revenue doesn't make it to your pocket. If you've ever wondered "why are my margins so thin?" — the answer is usually hiding in plain sight: platform commissions.
DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub collectively process billions in food delivery orders each year. But what they take from restaurants? It adds up fast. Let's break it down.
The Real Commission Rates
Here's the uncomfortable truth about what the major platforms charge:
| Platform | Commission Range | What's Included | DeliverFlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | 15% – 30% | Delivery, marketing, customer service | 0% |
| Uber Eats | 15% – 30% | Delivery, platform access, payments | 0% |
| Grubhub | 5% – 20% | Delivery, ordering platform | 0% |
| Slice | 10% – 15% | Marketing, delivery support | 0% |
The catch: Most restaurants don't get to choose their commission rate. They're placed in "tiers" based on factors like order volume, geographic location, and whether they use the platform's delivery fleet or their own.
What This Actually Looks Like in Practice
Let's run the numbers on a real scenario. Say your restaurant does $10,000 in delivery orders per month — a reasonable figure for a busy restaurant.
Over a year? You're looking at $30,000 going to platforms — money that could cover a second location's rent, additional staff, or your own marketing.
And if your restaurant is in a metropolitan area with high competition, you might even be on the higher end of those commission tiers. Some restaurants report paying 30% when they factor in:
- Base commission (usually 15-25%)
- Marketing fees (optional but recommended — without it, your listings get buried)
- Payment processing (often baked into the commission)
- Promotional discounts (platforms require you to offer deals)
The Hidden Costs Beyond Commission
Here's what the commission numbers don't tell you:
1. You don't own your customers
The customer data belongs to the platform. You can't directly message your repeat customers or build your own marketing list. You're always one algorithm change away from losing visibility.
2. Pressure to keep prices low
Platforms favor restaurants with competitive prices. To stay visible, many restaurants artificially lower their menu prices — which squeezes margins further.
3. No control over delivery experience
When something goes wrong (late delivery, wrong order, rude driver), your restaurant gets the bad review — even though you had no control over the last mile.
What's the Alternative?
Enter DeliverFlow — a delivery platform built differently:
- Zero commission on every order
- You set your own prices — no algorithmic pressure
- Local operators deliver in your community — faster, more reliable
- You own your customer data — build direct relationships
DeliverFlow doesn't charge restaurants a dime. Operators (the people making deliveries) earn from the delivery fee. Restaurants keep 100% of every order.
Ready to Keep What You Earn?
If you're tired of handing over 25% of every order to platforms that don't care about your business, there's a better way.
Stop Losing 25% to Middlemen
Join thousands of restaurants keeping 100% of their delivery revenue.
Start Free — No Credit CardOr if you want to see exactly what you're losing, use our free commission calculator to run the numbers on your specific situation.
DeliverFlow is the zero-commission delivery platform for restaurants that want to keep more of what they earn. Join the waitlist or start free today.