Delivery platforms charge commissions of 15-30% on every order, plus extra costs for promotions and discounts. Many restaurant owners forget to include these costs in their margin calculation. This makes an order seem profitable when you're actually losing money on it.
What do delivery platforms really cost?
The visible costs are clear: Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats and Deliveroo charge 15-30% commission. But there are hidden costs that further cut into your margin:
- Platform promotions ("20% off", "free delivery")
- Marketing fees for better visibility
- Chargeback costs for complaints
- Packaging costs (containers, bags, stickers)
⚠️ Important:
With a "20% off promotion" you pay the discount. The platform simply keeps its commission on the original price.
Calculate your actual revenue per order
For every order you need to calculate how much you actually receive. This is your basis for margin calculation:
💡 Example order:
Pizza for €18.00 with 20% customer discount:
- Customer pays: €14.40 (€18.00 - 20%)
- Platform commission: €3.60 (20% of €18.00)
- Discount you pay: €3.60
- Packaging: €0.75
You receive: €6.45 of €18.00 = 36% of menu price!
This €6.45 is your actual revenue for this order. You need to deduct food cost, staff and overhead from this.
Recalculate food cost for delivery
You need to calculate your food cost based on what you actually receive, not based on the menu price:
Adjusted food cost = (Ingredient costs + Packaging) / Actual revenue × 100
💡 Calculation:
Pizza with ingredient costs €4.50:
- Ingredients: €4.50
- Packaging: €0.75
- Total costs: €5.25
- Actual revenue: €6.45
Actual food cost: 81% (€5.25 / €6.45)
At 81% food cost you're making a loss. For a healthy margin you need a maximum of 35% food cost.
Set delivery prices differently
To stay profitable with delivery you have three options:
- Higher delivery prices: Set your pizza at €28 instead of €18
- Create a delivery menu: Only dishes with low food cost
- Minimum order value: Higher average order value compensates for costs
💡 Calculation with higher price:
Pizza €28.00 with 20% discount:
- Customer pays: €22.40
- Platform commission: €5.60 (20% of €28)
- Discount: €5.60
- Packaging: €0.75
You receive: €10.45. Food cost: 50% (still too high)
Use platform promotions strategically
Some promotions cost you less than others:
- "Free delivery": Platform pays, not you
- "20% off": You pay the discount
- "Buy one get one free": You provide double portion for single price
⚠️ Important:
Always read the terms. With many promotions you pay the discount, not the platform.
Calculate your break-even point
Calculate for each dish what you need to receive minimum to break even:
Minimum revenue = (Ingredients + Packaging) / 0.35
At 35% food cost you have 65% left for staff, overhead and profit.
How do you calculate delivery margin? (step by step)
Calculate actual revenue per order
Subtract from the order value: platform commission, discounts you pay, and packaging costs. This is the amount you actually receive.
Recalculate food cost on actual revenue
Divide your total costs (ingredients + packaging) by your actual revenue. For a healthy margin this must stay below 35%.
Adjust prices or menu
If your food cost exceeds 35%, raise your delivery prices or choose only dishes with low ingredient costs for your delivery menu.
✨ Pro tip
Check your average revenue per platform weekly. Uber Eats, Thuisbezorgd and Deliveroo have different commission structures and promotions. What's profitable on one platform can be unprofitable on another.
Calculate this yourself?
In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
Why aren't my delivery orders profitable while my restaurant is doing well?
Platform commissions of 15-30% plus discounts you pay mean you often receive only 50-70% of the menu price. This makes your food cost much higher than in your restaurant.
Can I use the same prices for delivery as in my restaurant?
Usually not. Due to platform costs and discounts you receive much less per order. Many restaurants charge 20-40% higher prices for delivery to stay profitable.
How often do platform commissions and costs change?
Platform commissions can vary by contract and change regularly. Check your actual revenue monthly and adjust your calculations accordingly.
Do I pay VAT on the full order amount or only on what I receive?
You pay VAT on the full order amount (what the customer pays), not on what you receive after commission. This makes delivery even more expensive.
Which packaging costs should I include in my calculation?
Add up all packaging: containers, lids, cutlery, napkins, bags and stickers. This often adds up to €0.50-€1.50 per order, depending on the dish.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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