What is the typical delivery commission rate?

DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub typically charge 15-30% depending on the service tier. Basic listing-only plans start around 15%. Full-service plans with marketing features can reach 30%.

Can I charge higher prices on delivery platforms?

Yes. Most platforms allow restaurants to set separate delivery menu prices. Many operators add 15-25% to offset commissions. Customers expect some markup and delivery orders are still convenience-driven.

Should I be on multiple delivery platforms?

Multiple platforms increase visibility but also complexity. Track per-platform margins separately. If one platform consistently underperforms, consider dropping it or renegotiating terms.

Is self-delivery cheaper than third-party?

Self-delivery avoids commissions but requires drivers, insurance, vehicles, and dispatch systems. For high-volume restaurants, self-delivery often costs 8-12% of order value, compared to 20-30% for third-party.

How do delivery orders affect my food cost percentage?

If you charge the same prices on delivery, your food cost percentage stays the same but your net margin drops due to commissions. Raising delivery prices lowers effective food cost percentage and helps protect margins.

What about marketing fees on top of commissions?

Many platforms offer promoted placement for an additional 5-10% fee. Only use these if you can track the incremental orders they generate and confirm positive ROI on a per-order basis.

Delivery Commission Impact Calculator

Calculate the net revenue from delivery orders after deducting third-party commissions, food cost, and packaging. See true delivery profit.

Order Total

Commission Rate

Food Cost

Packaging Cost

Commission

$9.50

25% of order

Net Revenue

$15.00

After all costs

Effective Margin

39.47%

With commission

Margin w/o Commission

64.47%

Direct order comparison

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Delivery Commission Impact Calculator

Third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub charge commissions ranging from 15% to 30% of the order total. While delivery expands your reach and can increase order volume, the commissions eat directly into your already-thin margins. Many restaurants lose money on delivery without realizing it because they never calculate the true per-order profit.

This calculator reveals the real financial impact of delivery commissions by deducting the platform fee, food cost, and packaging from each order. The result is your net revenue — the actual dollars that flow to your bottom line from each delivery sale.

Understanding this number is critical for deciding which platform tier to use, whether to build your own delivery infrastructure, and how to price your delivery menu to protect margins.

When This Page Helps

Without calculating delivery commission impact, you may be generating high-volume delivery sales that actually lose money on every order. This calculator shows you exactly how much each delivery order contributes after all variable costs, so you can make informed decisions about platform partnerships, pricing, and whether delivery is worth it for your concept.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter the average delivery order total.
Enter the delivery platform commission percentage (typically 15-30%).
Enter your food cost for the order.
Enter packaging cost per delivery order.
The calculator shows your net revenue and effective margin.
Experiment with different commission rates or menu prices to find a sustainable model.

Formula used

Commission = Order Total × Commission %
Net Revenue = Order Total − Commission − Food Cost − Packaging
Effective Margin % = (Net Revenue ÷ Order Total) × 100

Example Calculation

Result: $15.00 net (39.5%)

On a $38 order with 25% commission ($9.50), $11 food cost, and $2.50 packaging, the net revenue is $38 − $9.50 − $11 − $2.50 = $15.00. The effective margin is 39.5%. Without the $9.50 commission, the margin would be 64.5% — showing the significant impact of third-party fees.

Tips & Best Practices

Negotiate lower commission tiers as your delivery volume grows.
Price your delivery menu 10-20% higher to offset commissions — most platforms allow this.
Focus delivery promotions on high-margin items like beverages and add-ons.
Compare self-delivery costs vs. third-party commissions — a break-even analysis may surprise you.
Track delivery cannibalizing dine-in sales vs. generating truly incremental orders.
Consider a direct ordering system on your website to avoid commissions entirely.

Commission Tiers Explained

Most delivery platforms offer tiered pricing. The lowest tier (around 15%) typically provides basic listing with no marketing support. Mid-tier (20-25%) adds featured placement and expanded delivery zones. The highest tier (25-30%) includes premium marketing features and broader customer reach. Choose the tier based on your margin tolerance and growth objectives.

Building a Direct Ordering Channel

The most profitable delivery model is one you control. Many restaurants now invest in their own online ordering system through platforms like Square Online, Toast, or ChowNow, which charge flat monthly fees instead of per-order commissions. Combining this with in-house delivery or a flat-fee delivery partner can cut commission costs by 50-70%.

Delivery Menu Engineering

Not every menu item travels well or is profitable for delivery. Engineer a delivery-specific menu that emphasizes high-margin, high-volume items that package easily. Remove complex dishes that require quality to be eaten immediately. This raises average delivery margins while improving the customer experience.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: February 9, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub typically charge 15-30% depending on the service tier. Basic listing-only plans start around 15%. Full-service plans with marketing features can reach 30%.