How Online Ordering Helps Restaurants Increase Sales and Reduce Delivery Fees
Grant Russell
CEO, Curate
Today’s customers expect restaurants to offer fast and convenient online ordering. Whether they’re ordering takeout from their phone or placing a delivery order from their computer, diners want a simple digital experience that lets them browse the menu and place an order in seconds. Many restaurants rely on third-party delivery apps to capture online orders. While these platforms can bring in new customers, they often charge high commission fees that significantly reduce profit margins. Restaurants that implement their own direct online ordering systems can keep more revenue while building stronger relationships with their customers. Modern restaurant ordering platforms now integrate directly with loyalty programs, customer data, and mobile apps. This allows restaurants to increase repeat orders, improve customer engagement, and create a seamless digital ordering experience that customers prefer.
Why Online Ordering Is Essential for Restaurants
Online ordering has quickly become a core part of restaurant operations. Customers increasingly expect the ability to order food digitally, whether for pickup or delivery.
Restaurants that offer direct online ordering benefit from:
Higher order volume
increased customer convenience
improved customer data ownership
reduced reliance on third-party marketplaces
By giving customers an easy way to order directly, restaurants can increase sales while maintaining control over their brand and customer relationships.
The Problem With Third-Party Delivery Platforms
Third-party delivery apps can help restaurants reach new customers, but they often come with significant costs. Many platforms charge commissions ranging from 15% to 30% per order.
These fees can quickly eat into already thin restaurant margins.
Restaurants that shift customers toward direct online ordering can reduce these costs and keep more revenue from every order.
Direct ordering also allows restaurants to build stronger relationships with customers by capturing valuable data such as order history, preferences, and contact information.
How Direct Ordering Increases Revenue
When restaurants control their own ordering system, they unlock several advantages.
Higher profit margins
Without third-party commissions, restaurants keep more revenue from each order.
Better customer experience
Customers can order directly from your website or mobile app without leaving your ecosystem.
Increased repeat orders
Integrated loyalty programs and personalized promotions encourage customers to order again.
Ownership of customer data
Restaurants gain valuable insights that help improve marketing and retention.
Why Mobile Ordering Drives More Engagement
Mobile ordering is becoming the preferred way for customers to place orders. When ordering is integrated into a restaurant’s mobile experience, customers are more likely to engage with promotions, loyalty rewards, and repeat ordering features.
Mobile ordering allows restaurants to:
simplify the ordering process
send targeted promotions
integrate loyalty rewards automatically
increase repeat purchases
By making ordering frictionless, restaurants can significantly increase order frequency and customer satisfaction.
How Curate Helps Restaurants Grow Online Ordering
Curate helps restaurants launch a fully integrated online ordering system that connects directly with their mobile and instant apps.
With Curate, restaurants can:
accept commission-free online orders
integrate ordering with loyalty and promotions
send targeted offers through push notifications
create a seamless mobile ordering experience
Because Curate combines ordering with customer engagement tools, restaurants can increase both order volume and repeat business.
Best Practices for Restaurant Online Ordering
Promote direct ordering everywhere
Encourage customers to order directly through your website, app, or QR codes.
Offer incentives for direct orders
Small discounts or loyalty points can motivate customers to choose your ordering channel instead of third-party apps.
Optimize the ordering experience
Menus should be easy to browse, mobile-friendly, and fast to load.
Use data to improve marketing
Order history and customer data can help restaurants send personalized offers that drive repeat purchases.
Final Thoughts
Online ordering has become essential for restaurants looking to increase sales and meet modern customer expectations. Restaurants that own their ordering experience can reduce delivery fees, improve customer relationships, and create more profitable digital sales channels.
Platforms like Curate make it easy to launch commission-free online ordering that integrates with loyalty, referrals, and mobile apps—helping restaurants grow revenue while maintaining full control of their customer experience.
