Calculate the net revenue from delivery orders after deducting third-party commissions, food cost, and packaging. See true delivery profit.
Third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub charge commissions ranging from 15% to 30% of the order total. While delivery expands your reach and can increase order volume, the commissions eat directly into your already-thin margins. Many restaurants lose money on delivery without realizing it because they never calculate the true per-order profit.
This calculator reveals the real financial impact of delivery commissions by deducting the platform fee, food cost, and packaging from each order. The result is your net revenue — the actual dollars that flow to your bottom line from each delivery sale.
Understanding this number is critical for deciding which platform tier to use, whether to build your own delivery infrastructure, and how to price your delivery menu to protect margins.
Restaurant owners, hotel managers, and event coordinators depend on accurate delivery commission impact numbers to maintain profitability while delivering exceptional guest experiences. Return to this tool whenever menu prices, occupancy rates, or staffing levels shift to keep your operations on track.
Without calculating delivery commission impact, you may be generating high-volume delivery sales that actually lose money on every order. This calculator shows you exactly how much each delivery order contributes after all variable costs, so you can make informed decisions about platform partnerships, pricing, and whether delivery is worth it for your concept.
Commission = Order Total × Commission % Net Revenue = Order Total − Commission − Food Cost − Packaging Effective Margin % = (Net Revenue ÷ Order Total) × 100
Result: $15.00 net (39.5%)
On a $38 order with 25% commission ($9.50), $11 food cost, and $2.50 packaging, the net revenue is $38 − $9.50 − $11 − $2.50 = $15.00. The effective margin is 39.5%. Without the $9.50 commission, the margin would be 64.5% — showing the significant impact of third-party fees.
Most delivery platforms offer tiered pricing. The lowest tier (around 15%) typically provides basic listing with no marketing support. Mid-tier (20-25%) adds featured placement and expanded delivery zones. The highest tier (25-30%) includes premium marketing features and broader customer reach. Choose the tier based on your margin tolerance and growth objectives.
The most profitable delivery model is one you control. Many restaurants now invest in their own online ordering system through platforms like Square Online, Toast, or ChowNow, which charge flat monthly fees instead of per-order commissions. Combining this with in-house delivery or a flat-fee delivery partner can cut commission costs by 50-70%.
Not every menu item travels well or is profitable for delivery. Engineer a delivery-specific menu that emphasizes high-margin, high-volume items that package easily. Remove complex dishes that require quality to be eaten immediately. This raises average delivery margins while improving the customer experience.
DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub typically charge 15-30% depending on the service tier. Basic listing-only plans start around 15%. Full-service plans with marketing features can reach 30%.
Yes. Most platforms allow restaurants to set separate delivery menu prices. Many operators add 15-25% to offset commissions. Customers expect some markup and delivery orders are still convenience-driven.
Multiple platforms increase visibility but also complexity. Track per-platform margins separately. If one platform consistently underperforms, consider dropping it or renegotiating terms.
Self-delivery avoids commissions but requires drivers, insurance, vehicles, and dispatch systems. For high-volume restaurants, self-delivery often costs 8-12% of order value, compared to 20-30% for third-party.
If you charge the same prices on delivery, your food cost percentage stays the same but your net margin drops due to commissions. Raising delivery prices lowers effective food cost percentage and helps protect margins.
Many platforms offer promoted placement for an additional 5-10% fee. Only use these if you can track the incremental orders they generate and confirm positive ROI on a per-order basis.