Written by Running a restaurant or takeaway is tough enough without giving away a massive slice of every sale. If you’re tired of watching 25–35% of your revenue disappear into Deliveroo and Uber Eats commissions, you’re not alone. The good news is there’s a proven way to slash your fees to around 2.5% while keeping (and growing) your customer base.
This shift from 25% to 2.5% isn’t just a small improvement — it’s a 10x difference in profit margins that can transform your business.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Take a typical £10,000 sales week:
- Deliveroo / Uber Eats: 25% commission = £2,500 gone
- Your own app with Stripe: 2.5% = £250
You save £2,250 every single week — that’s £117,000 per year.
Even after covering your own local delivery costs, you still come out far ahead. Many restaurant owners are now making this switch and finally seeing healthy profit margins again.
Why the Big Platforms Charge So Much
Deliveroo and Uber Eats have huge overheads — marketing, driver payments, insurance, and app development. You’re paying for all of it through sky-high commissions. On top of that, they own the customer relationship. You get the order today, but the loyalty and repeat business stay with them.
It’s time to change that.
Take Back Control With Your Own App
Building your own native app and website puts you back in the driver’s seat. Customers can download your app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and order directly from you. You get:
- Full control over pricing and promotions
- Push notifications to re-engage customers
- Real-time order tracking
- Loyalty points system that rewards your business
- Complete ownership of customer data
All of this while paying only 2.5% transaction fees through Stripe instead of 25%+ to the big platforms.
Smart Local Delivery That Actually Makes Money
You don’t need a national delivery network to succeed. Focus on a 5-mile radius around your restaurant. Charge a small £1 delivery fee to cover costs and recruit your own local drivers. Branded bikes become rolling advertisements for your business.
You can also offer Click & Collect, which brings customers through your doors at zero delivery cost. This hybrid model gives customers convenience while protecting your margins.
The Winning Hybrid Strategy
The smartest restaurants aren’t abandoning Deliveroo and Uber Eats completely. Instead, they use them for customer acquisition and then convert those customers to their own app.
- Use big platforms to get discovered
- Offer better prices and loyalty rewards on your own app
- Gradually shift more orders to your direct channels
Many businesses successfully move 60% to 90% of their orders to their own system over time, dramatically improving overall profitability.
Simple 6-Step Plan to Get Started
Step 1: Build a professional, mobile-friendly website with online ordering. Step 2: Launch your native app on Apple and Google stores with push notifications and tracking. Step 3: Promote your app everywhere — menus, flyers, social media, and in-store. Step 4: Add Click & Collect and start local delivery. Step 5: Hire and brand your own delivery riders. Step 6: Drive more orders with social ads, email marketing, and local SEO.
The Real Benefits of Taking Control
- Much higher profit margins on every order
- Stronger, direct relationships with your customers
- Ability to run profitable promotions without massive fees
- Valuable customer data and insights
- Long-term business stability and growth
More Affordable Than You Think
Thanks to modern tools and experienced development teams, creating a high-quality app and website is now realistic for independent restaurants. Flexible payment plans and project-managed services keep the costs manageable.
It’s Time to Reclaim Your Margins
You work hard to run your restaurant. You shouldn’t have to hand over a quarter of your sales just to get orders. Moving from 25% commission to 2.5% can be one of the smartest financial decisions you make this year.
If you’re ready to take back control of your profits and build a stronger, more independent business, now is the perfect time.
Let’s talk about creating your own branded app and website. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll start seeing the difference in your bottom line.