DoorDash, Uber Eats & Grubhub Commission Fees: What They Really Cost Restaurants in 2026

Every restaurant that lists on DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub signs up knowing there's a commission. Far fewer restaurants know exactly how much it adds up to once every fee is counted — or how much of that could be avoided entirely.

How much do delivery apps actually charge?

Commission structures vary by platform and plan, but the pattern is consistent: a base commission tier around 15%, and premium tiers that climb to 25–30% in exchange for better placement and marketing support.

• DoorDash — three partnership plans, roughly 15% (Basic), 25% (Plus), and 30% (Premier).
• Uber Eats — commission commonly reaches up to 30% depending on delivery and marketing options selected.
• Grubhub — a similar tiered structure, with reduced rates sometimes offered in exchange for a larger advertising budget.

Why the effective cost is higher than the sticker rate

The advertised commission is rarely the full story. A few line items that stack on top of it:

• Payment processing fees — typically another 2–3% per transaction, charged separately from commission.
• Mandatory promotions — many platforms periodically require discounts to maintain search visibility, cutting into margin without changing the commission line item.
• Packaging — delivery-safe containers add a real per-order cost that dine-in service doesn't carry.

And that's before food cost, packaging, and labor. Restaurant owners commonly report an effective cost closer to 30–40% of the order once every fee is accounted for — not the 15–20% headline rate they were quoted at signup.

Why restaurants still use delivery apps

Discovery is the honest answer. A new customer searching for food nearby can find a restaurant on a marketplace app with no marketing spend required — which is genuinely valuable for restaurants still building a customer base. That's why very few operators recommend dropping delivery apps outright.

The direct-ordering alternative

The smarter approach most restaurants land on isn't leaving delivery apps — it's building a direct, commission-free ordering channel for the customers who already know their name, while keeping the marketplace apps for new-customer discovery. Repeat customers — the highest-margin ones — order direct; new customers still find the restaurant through the marketplace.

How to reduce reliance on delivery apps without losing orders

• Put a QR code linking to your own ordering site on every receipt and takeout box.
• Replace the delivery-app link in your Instagram and website bio with your own ordering link.
• Offer a small discount or loyalty perk exclusive to direct orders — still cheaper than 28% commission.
• Track how your direct-order share grows month over month, and keep marketplace apps for the discovery they still provide.

Frequently asked questions