Need Advice? Talk to an Expert
Choosing The Right Order & Delivery Platform for Your Restaurant
Need Advice? Talk to an Expert
Written by: Hilary Young | Published: August 26th, 2024
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.
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.
Best 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.
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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
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.
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Support
Pricing
Best 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
- 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
Has the largest overall market share of all delivery apps, and provides customers with access to grocery, convenience, and liquor stores as well.
Support
Pricing
Best for Ghost Kitchens & Food Trucks
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.
Special Offer
Back of House customers get Flat Fee Pricing, GFS customer get up to 2 months free
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
Works via a subscription model instead of commissions-based like other 3PO partners, this could save restaurants a lot in monthly commissions fees.
Support
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
Best For All In One Website & Ordering
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.
Get up to $2,000 off
Back of House Customers get 20% off Annual Subscription, GFS Customers buy 1-year, get 1-year free & 50% off implementation fee
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
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
Pricing
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
- 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
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.
