Operations Guide
How Much Does Online Ordering Cost for Restaurants?
Last updated: March 2026
Online ordering is now table stakes for restaurants. But the cost varies wildly — from 15–30% per order on third-party platforms to flat low fees on POS-integrated solutions. This guide breaks down your options so you can choose what fits your restaurant.
Online Ordering Cost Comparison
| Platform | Fee Type | Rate | Paid By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | Commission per order | 15–30% of order total | Restaurant | Varies by plan. Basic 15%, Plus 25%, Premier 30%. Higher tiers get more visibility. |
| UberEats | Commission per order | 15–30% of order total | Restaurant | Varies by plan. Lite 15%, Plus 25%, Premium 30%. Delivery orders at highest tier. |
| Grubhub | Commission per order | 15–30% of order total | Restaurant | Fees broken into marketing, delivery, and processing components. Total can reach 15–30% or more depending on services used. |
| Toast Online Ordering | Monthly fee + processing | Add-on module pricing varies; processing fees apply | Restaurant | Online ordering is not included in base POS. Requires Toast hardware and payments. |
| Square Online Ordering | Processing fee per order | 2.9% + 30c per online transaction | Restaurant | No per-order commission but limited customization on free tier. Processing only. |
| Ginger | Flat platform fee per order | $1 per online order | Customer | Flat fee regardless of order size. $30 order or $300 order — same $1 fee. Restaurant keeps 100% of order revenue. |
The Third-Party Commission Problem
DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub give restaurants access to new customers and delivery logistics. But the cost is steep.
The Real Numbers
- -A $50 takeout order on DoorDash Plus (25% commission) costs the restaurant $12.50 in commission
- -A restaurant doing $15,000/month in third-party orders pays $2,250/month at 15% commission, or $4,500/month at 30%
- -Typical restaurant profit margins are 3–9%. A 15–30% commission far exceeds the profit margin — meaning many delivery orders are served at a loss
These platforms do provide value — particularly visibility and delivery infrastructure. But for pickup orders (which do not require delivery), why pay 15–30% commission? Your own online ordering system can handle pickup orders at a fraction of the cost of third-party platforms.
The Alternative: POS-Integrated Online Ordering
An increasing number of POS systems offer built-in or add-on online ordering. Unlike third-party platforms, these systems typically charge flat fees or processing fees rather than percentage-based commissions on the order total. Orders go directly into the POS system instead of requiring a separate tablet or manual entry.
Key Advantages
- -No percentage-based commission — you keep more of each order's revenue
- -Direct POS integration — orders flow automatically into the POS and kitchen printers, no manual steps
- -Branded experience — customers order on your website, not a third-party platform
- -You own the customer data — useful for marketing and loyalty programs
Want to compare POS options? Check out our Best Free POS Systems guide.
Real Cost Example
Assume a restaurant processes 200 online pickup orders per month, averaging $40 per order.
DoorDash (25%)
200 orders x $40 x 25%
$2,000/mo
UberEats (15%)
200 orders x $40 x 15%
$1,200/mo
Square Online
200 orders x $40 x 2.9% + 30c
$292/mo
Ginger
200 orders x $1 (paid by customer)
$0/mo (to restaurant)
Note: Ginger's $1 platform fee is paid by the customer, not deducted from restaurant revenue. All options also incur credit card processing fees separately. This comparison excludes delivery costs — it compares platform/commission fees only.
When to Keep Third-Party Platforms
This is not an either-or choice. Many restaurants use both their own online ordering and third-party platforms — the strategy is to use high-commission platforms for customer acquisition while directing loyal repeat customers to your own online ordering system.
- -Keep third-party platforms for new customer acquisition and orders that need delivery
- -Direct loyal customers to your own online ordering (pickup orders, large orders, repeat customers) — these orders do not need the platform's visibility, just a convenient ordering interface
- -Every repeat customer you move off a third-party platform means you keep 15–30% more from every order that customer places from that point forward
What to Look For in an Online Ordering System
Does it integrate directly with your POS? Orders should appear on your POS and kitchen printers automatically — no separate tablet, no manual entry.
What is the fee structure? Flat fee, percentage, monthly, or per-order? Is the fee paid by you or the customer?
Does the menu sync automatically? When you change a price or 86 an item in the POS, does the online menu update instantly?
Does it support your language? If your menu has Chinese names or your customers order in Chinese, does the online ordering support bilingual menus?
What does the customer experience look like? Is it a professional, branded experience or a generic template? Does it work well on mobile?
Are there contracts or lock-ins? Can you cancel at any time, or are you locked into a multi-year agreement?
Ginger's Approach: Flat $1 Platform Fee
Ginger does not charge a commission percentage. The platform fee on online orders is a flat $1 per order, paid by the customer — not deducted from the restaurant's revenue. Whether the order is $20 or $200, the fee is $1.
End-to-End Integration
Ginger's online ordering is not just a web page that receives orders. It is fully integrated with the POS — when an online order is placed, it automatically appears on the POS and prints to kitchen printers with zero manual steps. The menu, prices, and availability are all driven by the same database. 86 an item in the POS, and it instantly disappears from the online menu.
Auto-Generated Branded Website
No need to build your own website. Ginger auto-generates a branded online ordering website based on your menu data, with full Chinese-English bilingual support. Live within 30 minutes of uploading your menu.
Learn more: Ginger Features | Pricing Details | Ginger vs Toast
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up online ordering for a restaurant?
Costs vary widely. Third-party platforms like DoorDash and UberEats charge 15–30% commission per order. POS-integrated solutions are cheaper: Square charges 2.9% + 30c per transaction, and Ginger charges a flat $1 per order (paid by the customer, not the restaurant). Some systems also charge monthly fees for the online ordering module. Factor in setup time and integration complexity, not just the per-order cost.
Should I use DoorDash/UberEats or my own online ordering?
Ideally, both — but for different purposes. Use third-party platforms for customer acquisition and delivery logistics. Use your own online ordering system for pickup orders and repeat customers. Every repeat customer you move to your own system saves you 15–30% per order. The best strategy is to list on delivery platforms for visibility while directing loyal customers to your own branded ordering page.
Does online ordering integrate with my POS?
It depends on the system. POS-native online ordering (like Ginger or Square) sends orders directly to your POS and kitchen printers with zero manual steps. Third-party platforms (DoorDash, UberEats) typically require a separate tablet, and orders must be manually entered into the POS unless you pay for an integration. This manual step is a common source of errors and delays.
How long does it take to set up online ordering?
Setup time varies dramatically. Listing on DoorDash or UberEats can take 1–3 weeks due to onboarding and menu review. POS-integrated solutions are faster: Square requires manual menu entry (hours to days depending on menu size), while Ginger offers AI menu setup — upload your menu and go live in about 30 minutes.
I'm a small restaurant doing 200 orders a month. What's the cheapest online ordering option?
At 200 orders per month with an average order of $40, here is what you would pay in platform/commission fees alone: DoorDash at 25% costs $2,000/month. UberEats at 15% costs $1,200/month. Square Online at 2.9% + 30c per transaction costs about $292/month (paid by you). Ginger at $1/order costs $200/month — and that fee is paid by the customer, not you, so your cost is $0. For a small restaurant at this volume, Ginger is the cheapest option by far. Square is the next best if you only need English. Avoid third-party marketplace commissions on pickup orders — they eat your entire margin.
Should I use DoorDash or set up my own online ordering?
The best approach is both — but for different purposes. DoorDash gives you discovery (new customers find you through the app) and delivery logistics (you do not need your own drivers). But at 15–30% commission, every DoorDash order eats into your margins significantly. Your own online ordering system (through your POS) is far cheaper for pickup orders and repeat customers who already know your restaurant. The smart strategy: keep DoorDash for visibility and delivery, but print flyers with your direct ordering link, train staff to mention it, and move repeat customers to your own platform. Every customer you shift saves you 15–30% on every future order.
Start Accepting Online Orders — $0/Month
Free POS with built-in online ordering. $1/order platform fee paid by the customer. No percentage commissions, no contracts, live in 30 minutes.
Email: info@gingerserve.com