How much does online ordering cost for a small restaurant?
Short answer
Online ordering costs fall into three models: marketplaces (DoorDash/Uber Eats) take 15–30% of every order; flat-fee tools (ChowNow) charge a fixed monthly price; and commission-free storefronts like PlateTicket start free and charge only a flat plan price plus standard card fees. For a small restaurant, the commission model is usually the most expensive at volume — a 25% cut on a $2,000 week is $500 gone — while a free/flat commission-free tool preserves margin.
The three cost models
Per-order commission scales with your sales (and hurts most when busy). Flat monthly is predictable but can punish low volume. Free/commission-free costs little or nothing and never skims the order.
A quick comparison
See the table below for a small restaurant doing ~$2,000/week. Commission can cost hundreds weekly; a commission-free plan is a flat, small number.
Match the model to your volume
Low or seasonal volume favours free/commission-free. Very high volume with heavy marketing needs may value a marketplace's reach — but drive repeats to your own link. See the cheapest way to take orders.
| Model | Cost | On a $2,000 week | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlateTicket (commission-free) | Free / flat plan + card fees | ~$0–$99 + card fees | Small restaurants, batch & pre-order sellers |
| Flat-fee tool (e.g. ChowNow) | Fixed monthly fee | Flat monthly regardless of sales | Higher, steady volume |
| Marketplace (DoorDash/Uber Eats) | 15–30% per order | ~$300–$600 in commission | Discovery, at a heavy cost |
Frequently asked questions
How much does online ordering cost a small restaurant?
It depends on the model. Marketplaces take 15–30% of each order (hundreds per busy week), flat-fee tools charge a fixed monthly price, and commission-free storefronts like PlateTicket start free with only standard card fees. For most small restaurants, avoiding per-order commission saves the most money.
Is commission-free ordering actually cheaper?
Usually, yes — especially at volume. A flat or free commission-free plan doesn't grow with your sales, so a busy week keeps its margin instead of losing 15–30% per order to a marketplace. You still pay normal card-processing fees, which are far smaller than a commission.
What's the cheapest online ordering for a small restaurant?
A free, commission-free storefront is typically cheapest — PlateTicket's Starter plan takes orders online at no monthly cost, and you only pay card fees. Upgrade only when you need delivery, the production sheet, or a custom domain.
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