8 Uber Eats Alternatives for Restaurants: Cost + Features

Third-party delivery apps like Uber Eats have become a force to be reckoned with. They offer access to a large pool of hungry customers, a tempting proposition in today's competitive landscape.

The problem? In our industry where the average restaurant profit margin is 10.66%, these third-party delivery apps charge commission fees of 15% to 30%. That percentage could be the difference between your restaurant thriving and barely breaking even. 

Sure, these platforms can bring in new faces, but at what cost? Is surrendering control of your brand and a significant portion of your profits really the answer?

To help you decide what’s best for your restaurant, let’s explore some Uber Eats alternatives. I’ve found that, by combining direct ordering with other platforms, you can potentially slash these exorbitant fees and take control of your bottom line.

Third-party apps like DoorDash

Most third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub offer a seemingly sweet deal—access to a massive customer base with minimal upfront investment. They handle the delivery logistics, customer service headaches. 

Sounds like a win-win, right? Well, not so fast.

The reality is that these services are built to prioritize their own bottom line, not yours. Their primary focus is getting customers to be loyal to their app instead of your restaurant. Relying on third-party delivery services alone makes it next to impossible to build a direct connection with guests who order online.

Then there's the financial sting: delivery fees. You put in the hard work, source amazing ingredients, and create incredible dishes, but a big chunk of your revenue goes straight to them. Those fees can eat away at your precious profit margins, making many orders unprofitable or barely profitable.

The good news is that customers are catching on. A recent survey from HungerRush revealed:

• Almost three out of five consumers are bothered by the fees charged by third-party food delivery apps.
• One-third of customers avoid using third-party food delivery apps altogether.
• Over half of consumers are open to ordering directly from restaurants if the experience is positive.

Consumers are feeling the pinch and want a better alternative. These apps hold a powerful position, and ignoring them entirely might not be the best strategy. But there's a way to navigate this landscape and take back control. Let's dive deeper into the world of third-party delivery services and see how the options stack up against each other.

1. DoorDash — the most direct competitor

DoorDash has emerged as a major player in the food delivery game, currently holding a whopping 67% share of the US market. This translates to a massive pool of potential customers for your restaurant, making it a tempting option for immediate exposure.

But there’s a major trade-off: DoorDash’s business model is similar to Uber Eats, so you can expect up to 30% commission fees on every order. Additionally, both platforms offer a "plug-and-play" style storefront within their app, with limited customization options. While they might provide basic marketing tools, the focus is on promoting the platform itself, not necessarily your restaurant’s unique brand.

If sheer volume and customer reach are your goals, then DoorDash's extensive network might be a good fit. But if you're looking for more control and a way to cultivate long-term loyalty with your customers, I recommend you explore some DoorDash alternatives.

2. Grubhub — the big city alternative

Grubhub stands out in the food delivery landscape with its unique pricing structure and strong presence in major metropolitan areas. Unlike competitors like Uber Eats and DoorDash, Grubhub charges a marketing fee ranging from 5% to 15% instead of a traditional commission. 

Seems like a win at first glance, right? But here's the twist—there's an additional 10% delivery driver fee tacked on. So, depending on their structure, your total costs could potentially reach a hefty 25%.

The key to unlocking Grubhub's potential lies in understanding your own restaurant's unique situation. We're looking at the nitty-gritty details here:

• What's your average order value?
• How far are your deliveries typically traveling?
• And how many orders do you see rolling in each day?

For example, suppose your average order comes in at $100, and Grubhub throws a 15% marketing fee and a 10% delivery fee your way. That adds up to $25, leaving you with just $75 per delivery.

Grubhub's model might be a good fit for some restaurants, especially those in densely populated areas where deliveries are quick and cheap. But for others, the fees could outweigh the benefits.

Before you jump in, you need to do the math. Weigh the potential benefits of their reach against the total cost they levy on your business.

3. ChowNow — the more-than-an-app option

ChowNow is trying to carve out a space as the middle ground between the big-name delivery apps and full-blown direct ordering platforms. Sounds intriguing, right? They offer snippets of both worlds—a marketplace like Uber Eats and some basic website features for direct ordering.

But there's a catch. Neither side of the equation is particularly robust. On the delivery side, their marketplace might connect you with new customers, but their user base pales in comparison to the giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash. So, while you might gain some exposure, it won't be a tidal wave of hungry diners flooding your doors.

On the other hand, ChowNow provides some website features and tools that resemble direct ordering systems. While these features are helpful, they don't match the depth and sophistication of dedicated platforms designed to maximize direct orders. 

Now, there's a twist in their pricing model compared to the commission-heavy apps.  ChowNow ditches commissions and instead offers a subscription fee with additional flat fees per order. This can create some predictability in terms of costs, which is a plus.

Ultimately, ChowNow may be a viable option for your restaurant if you’re looking to explore both third-party delivery and direct ordering without fully committing to either model. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider your restaurant's specific needs and goals before making a decision about ChowNow alternatives.

Direct order alternatives to cut commissions

Direct ordering is a game-changer for restaurants. Forget the middleman, forget the hefty commission fees, forget having to share your precious customer data. With direct ordering, you're back in the driver's seat, in complete control of your customer experience, pricing, and most importantly, your data.

In the following sections, I’ll explore some of the best online ordering systems for restaurants to help you take back control of your business and boost your profits.

4. Owner.com — grow your direct online orders

Owner.com is laser-focused on one thing: growing your direct online orders.Our websites and branded mobile apps use data-driven designs proven to drive s more orders.

We achieve this by rebuilding your website from scratch with built-in restaurant SEO best practices.

This ensures your restaurant ranks higher in search engines like Google. Which is important, because our data shows Google drives 10-15x more new orders than social media, flyers, or billboards—combined.

Search engines likeGoogle are a giant, organic "marketplace" that attract local customers interested in what you have to offer. 62% of people use Google to search for restaurants and local restaurants are the #1 most-searched businesses worldwide. In short, SEO matters a lot for getting direct online orders.

When residents or visitors in Punxsutawney, PA look for the best BBQ pizza in town they see Punxsy Pizza, built on Owner.com, right at the top of the search results. Twice, in fact! Punxsy Pizza highlights its most popular items with engaging visuals and descriptions, signaling to Google that they're the local BBQ pizza experts..

But Owner isn’t for everyone. To best serve your restaurant’s goals, consider your specific needs. If extensive customization of your online storefront or features beyond core ordering functionality are high priorities, other solutions from this list might be a better fit.

5. PopMenu — the delivery solution for dine-ins

The platform provides tools for managing your online presence, including menu management, social media integration and customer reviews. But it falls short when it comes to loyalty programs, marketing features and direct ordering functionalities.

If your restaurant primarily relies on dine-in customers and online ordering is a secondary revenue stream, PopMenu could be a good fit. If delivery and takeout are significant components of your business, you'll likely need to supplement PopMenu with other platforms to meet your needs.

Ultimately, PopMenu is best suited for restaurants looking to improve their online visibility and engage with dine-in customers, but it's not a comprehensive solution for managing all aspects of your online ordering and delivery operations.

6. Bentobox — the best for upscale aesthetics

BentoBox comes loaded with features: online ordering, reservations, loyalty programs, and even marketing tools. They're the masters of crafting visually stunning customer experiences, making your restaurant a true feast for the eyes online. But, while BentoBox may be the Picasso of online ordering platforms, it might not be the sales machine you crave.

Compared to platforms like Owner.com, which prioritize conversion and SEO, BentoBox focuses more on creating a beautiful online storefront. Having a visually stunning website is important, but it's equally crucial to have a platform that effectively drives sales and attracts new customers.

Ultimately, BentoBox is a strong contender for restaurants seeking a premium, design-focused online ordering solution. However, if your primary goal is to maximize sales and revenue, you might want to explore other options that offer a better balance of aesthetics and functionality.

7. Sauce — the just delivery option

Sauce offers a straightforward approach to delivery, focusing on simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Unlike platforms like Uber Eats, Sauce operates on a commission-free model, making it an attractive option for restaurants looking to maximize profits.

While the commission-free structure is appealing, Sauce has its limitations. Because the platform primarily focuses on delivery, it lacks many of the features you’d find in full-featured online ordering systems. You won't get a custom-built website, a branded mobile app or automated marketing tools to help you attract and retain customers.

Sauce may be a viable option if your restaurant has a strong existing customer base and you want to cut delivery costs, but you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons carefully. If building a robust online presence and maximizing sales are your top priorities, you might want to explore platforms that offer a more comprehensive suite of features.

8. Menufy — the free alternative for testing the waters

Menufy offers a relatively low-cost entry point into the world of online ordering. It's a good option if your restaurant is just starting out and you want to test the waters without making a significant financial commitment.

But Menufy's focus on simplicity comes at a cost. As your restaurant grows, the platform's limitations could hinder your ability to scale. While it's a decent starting point, Menufy lacks the advanced features and marketing tools necessary to support long-term growth.

Menufy also charges a commission fee for delivery orders. This can impact your profit margins, especially if a significant portion of your business comes from delivery.

Ultimately, Menufy can be a useful tool for restaurants just starting out with online ordering. But as your business evolves, you may need to consider more robust platforms that offer a wider range of features and support for growth.

Keep more of your profits with direct ordering

The food delivery landscape is complex, with various options fighting for your attention. Third-party platforms like Uber Eats offer a quick way to reach a broad audience, but their high commission fees can significantly impact your bottom line. 

On the other hand, direct ordering platforms give you complete control over your customer experience, data and pricing.

To maximize your restaurant’s success, a hybrid approach that combines some of these Uber Eats alternatives is the best strategy. Use third-party platforms to reach new customers, then encourage them to order directly from you. By offering customers multiple ways to order, you can increase your overall sales volume and build a loyal customer base.

Direct online ordering is essential for long-term profitability. By cutting out the middleman and capturing valuable customer data, you can implement targeted marketing campaigns, loyalty programs and personalized offers. This level of control allows you to optimize your operations and increase overall customer satisfaction.

Want to see how direct ordering can transform your business? Schedule a free demo of Owner.com to explore the features that can help you increase sales, build customer loyalty and keep more of your profits.