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Choosing The Right Order & Delivery Platform for Your Restaurant

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      Written by Dan Durkin

      Back of House Tech Expert | Published 6/26/2025

      For the vast majority of people, gone are the days of keeping a book of paper menus on hand for nights when they want to order in. With the rise of technology and the ubiquitous nature of mobile apps, ordering food online, and arranging for its swift delivery, has never been easier. This has been beneficial for consumers, of course, but also for restaurants.

      Smartphones have effectively become modern-day food courts that provide restaurants with the opportunity to market to new customers. But not all apps are created equal. Just like there are a number of different POS systems for restaurants, there are a variety on-line order and delivery platforms that your restaurant can choose from and depending on both your business goals and type of cuisine, you might find some ordering system apps to be more useful than others. Our experts have identified a variety of different e-commerce order, takeout, and delivery options for you to explore below.

      Online Order Handoff

      What to Consider Before Picking a 3rd Party Order and Delivery Platform

      All 3rd party delivery platforms were not created equal. As you navigate the process of sifting through all the options available to you, here are some of the things you should consider before moving forward:

      Type of Business
      Certain platforms make more sense for certain businesses. If you have a specific type of business, like a pizzeria or a food truck, you might want to consider third party delivery platforms that were built specifically for your business.

      Access to Delivery Drivers
      Do you need to use independent contractors or do you have your own delivery team? Some platforms allow you to opt into using their network of drivers or choosing not to if you have your own.

      Fees and Commissions
      The pay structure is different from platform to platform so it’s important to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line with a third party delivery app. As with all of the merchants you consider for your restaurant, be sure to read the fine print when it comes to the pricing terms.

      Vetted and Approved by Back of House Experts

      Our Top Picks

      Feeling overwhelmed by all the ordering system options out there online? We’ve got you covered. Our expert team of restaurant technology consultants have identified their top choices for order and delivery platforms for you to check out. As you review, pay close attention to more than just price–from the level of your own involvement in the process to the other types of integrations and available analytics that work well with each platform, it’s important to take your restaurant needs into careful consideration before making an investment.

      Disclaimer: Any paid partnerships have no influence on our evaluations and suggestions. All our opinions are our own.

      App8
      GREAT FOR MULTIPLE VENDORS IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION

      Access a FREE 14 day trial

      App8’s platform is a flexible digital ordering solution built for food halls, restaurants, and sports or entertainment venues. From on-premise to takeout and premium suite management, App8 simplifies ordering with a white-label platform that supports multi-vendor transactions, menu customization, and seamless integrations.

      Features Section Features

      • All-in-one digital ordering platform for on-premise and off-premise dining

      • Multi-vendor ordering in a single transaction for food halls and venues

      • White-label menus with brand customization

      • Staff-friendly order management tools for accepting, throttling, or declining orders

      • Premium suite management for pre-event and game-day ordering

      • Seamless integrations with POS, loyalty, and delivery platforms

      • Bilingual menu support (English and French)

      •  

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Ideal for large venues, food halls, and entertainment spaces where long lines and order complexity can slow service. 

      Payment Icon Pricing

      $139/month per location for the first year (GFS customers receive 30% off).
      Includes 0% commission and a 14-day free trial.

      Support Support

      Dedicated concierge onboarding team ensures fast and effective setup. Access 24/7 bilingual support (English/French) plus a robust online help center.
      ChowNow
      GREAT FOR GHOST KITCHENS AND FOOD TRUCKS

      Up to 2 Months Free

      ChowNow was designed with restaurant profitability in mind. With features that help you streamline your operations and expand your online brand, the platform goes beyond just order and delivery.

      Features Section Features

      • Website ordering and the ChowNow app
      • Commission-free orders across all channels
      • Access to the Order Better Network
      • Flex delivery
      • Access over 30 POS integrations
      • Automated email marketing 
      • Access to full customer data

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Works via a subscription model instead of commissions-based like other 3PO partners, this could save restaurants a lot in monthly commissions fees.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      While ChowNow operates without charging commissions, restaurants are required to pay a fee to access its services.

      Additional fees include:

      • Credit card processing fees: 2.95% + 20 cents per transaction (covers daily deposits and 100% fraud and chargeback protection)

      • Apple developer fee: $99 paid annually directly to Apple for the listing of your mobile app

      • Flex Delivery: $7.98 flat rate for up to 8 miles

      Support Support

      Access information easily through the ChowNow Help Center. Find direct lines to customer support 24/7 by sending an email to support@chownow.com or by calling their customer service department at 888-707-2469.
      Deliverect
      3RD PARTY AGGREGATOR FOR DELIVERY DISPATCH

      Up 10% off activation fees

      By eliminating manual order entry, Deliverect helps restaurants reduce errors, improve efficiency, and speed up service. Whether you’re managing one location or hundreds, Deliverect makes it easier to track orders, update menus, and keep operations running smoothly—all from one centralized platform.

      Features Section Features

      • Aggregates all ordering platforms into one easy to use format
      • Direct integration into most POS systems or one proprietary tablet
      • Integration with social media channels for easy promotion ordering
      • Courier tracking to track deliveries after they've left your store

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Small operators to nationwide chains use this service. All major POS services are directly integrated. Updating menus and promotions made easy.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      $99/month for 3rd party aggregation
      Deliverect+ $30/month
      Dispatch $39/month

       

      Support Support

      Dedicated account manager 24/7 support in several languages; onboarding in one week. 
      DoorDash
      GREAT FOR MARKET SHARE

      Since launching in 2013, DoorDash has completed over 900 million orders and is the leader in the US market for food delivery, surpassing incumbent Grubhub and global leader UberEats. If you’re in the US market, DoorDash is a great place to list your restaurant. Note: there is a good amount of fine print in their pricing, so be sure to read closely.

      Features Section Features

      • Customizable online ordering 
      • Commission-free 
      • On-Demand Delivery 
      • Access to DoorDash’s network of Dashers 
      • In-store digital ordering and payment solution
      • Integration with your website, social media, Google Search and Maps

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Has the largest overall market share of all delivery apps, and provides customers with access to grocery, convenience, and liquor stores as well.

      Support Support

      Access 24/7 support through chat, phone, and email as well as a personal support contact for any issues that arise.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      The Marketplace plans have zero payment processing fees for the first 7-30 days, depending on which you choose. You can change or cancel your plan at any time. The commission fee per delivery is on a sliding scale based on which plan you choose, and there is a 6% commission option for pick-up orders.
      Olo
      3RD PARTY AGGREGATOT FOR VIRTUAL BRANDS

      Exclusive bundle discounts

      Olo is a leading digital ordering and delivery platform built for multi-location restaurants. It connects restaurants with third-party marketplaces, direct online ordering, and delivery service providers—all from one centralized hub. With features like order integration, menu management, and real-time analytics, Olo helps streamline operations and boost guest satisfaction.

      Features Section Features

      • Drive online sales with direct delivery and integration with major food delivery brands
      • Expand large ticket catering sales through Olo Catering+ function

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Growing and managing online sales.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      • Custom based on specifics of restaurant
      • Up to $1000 savings on implementation

       

      Support Support

      • 24/7 US only based support
      • Business reviews on demand with experts
      Sauce
      GREAT ALL-IN-ONE WEBSITE & ORDERING

      Up to $2,000 off

      Sauce is a commission-free pickup and delivery network for restaurants. Built with an aim to improve the customer experience when it comes to third-party delivery, Sauce helps restaurants drive repeat business without breaking the bank.

      Features Section Features

      • Refund management
      • Unlimited drivers
      • Dispatch algorithm for faster delivery
      • Premium delivery support
      • Tracking options
      • Real-time flexibility
      • Catering logistics
      • Multiple direct ordering channels
      • Partnerships and integrations

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      Sauce provides real-time order tracking and management in an effort to help restaurants optimize their kitchen workflow and reduce wait times. Plus, no commission fees!

      Support Support

      Sauce provides premium support to all of their customers via email and phone.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      For more information about Sauce and their pricing you can book a demo through their website.
      Slice
      Best for Pizzerias

      Slice was the brainchild of a founder whose family runs independent pizzerias– and he wanted to bring the tools and technology necessary to compete against the big chains to more independent pizza shops. Today, nearly 19,000 shops now use Slice. Note: Slice doesn’t handle deliveries, so if you need a partner who does, keep that in mind.

      Features Section Features

      • Integrates with over 30 online ordering platforms
      • Train employees on the POS interface with ease
      • Add on website building, marketing, and brand management
      • Pull up customer history with caller ID to improve CX

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      For those choosing to implement the entire Slice register system, the equipment they offer is designed and built especially to hold up in a pizzeria environment. The software is able to handle complex orders but is easy to train employees on. Live 24/7 support is available for both restaurants and customers.

      Support Support

      Access 24/7 live support available for all plans through the Owner’s Portal, as well as live chat functionality on the website.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      $0 for orders under $10, or a flat rate depending on the plan you choose. Integration with other online ordering systems is $75 a month.
      UberEats
      GREAT FOR GLOBAL ACCESS

      Riding on the brand equity of the rideshare app and parent company, Uber, UberEats is a nationally recognized name in the 3rd party platform game. The platform is ideal for restaurants who want to tap into a large global network of users as UberEats is a staple for mobile ordering and food delivery in over 6,000 cities worldwide, which means listing on their app provides restaurants with a wide variety of hungry customers.

      Features Section Features

      • Access loyal Uber One members
      • In-app marketing tools
      • Premium plan members receive an ads credit match
      • Minimum order protection period with premium plan 
      • Customer Delivery Fee management

      Where it Excels Where it excels

      They have some good name recognition with customers, and often run deals on the app to encourage more people to spend money at the restaurants that list with their service. They also have a sustainability initiative; partnering with a like minded delivery service is key for some brands to maintain integrity with their own initiatives in the eyes of their customers. 

      Support Support

      Get answers to your UberEats merchant support questions by visiting the Merchants & Restaurants Help Center or by contacting Customer Support teams across the globe.

      Payment Icon Pricing

      Pricing is tiered based on the level of marketing and delivery fees you are willing to pay for.
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