Managing margins across delivery platforms is like juggling while blindfolded - one wrong calculation and everything crashes. Each platform has different commission rates, fees, and hidden costs that can silently eat away at your profits. Most restaurant owners make the mistake of using a single calculation method, which leaves them clueless about which platforms actually make money.
Why one calculation isn't enough
Each platform operates with different commission structures and fee models. Deliveroo typically charges 13-15% commission, while Uber Eats often demands 15-30%, and your own website costs 0% commission but carries different expenses. Mix everything together, and you'll never identify which platform actually drives profitability.
⚠️ Note:
Platform commissions change regularly. Check your contracts at least every quarter for updates.
Collect all costs per platform
Fair comparison requires tracking every cost that varies between platforms:
- Platform commission: Percentage deducted from order value
- Packaging costs: Containers, bags, branded stickers per delivery
- Delivery costs: Your expense for in-house delivery
- Marketing fees: Sponsored listings, premium placement costs
- Payment processing: Credit card and digital payment transaction fees
? Example costs per €25 order:
Deliveroo order of €25.00:
- Platform commission (15%): €3.75
- Packaging: €0.85
- Payment costs (2.5%): €0.63
Total extra costs: €5.23
Calculate your net revenue per platform
Net revenue shows what remains after all platform-specific expenses. This becomes your baseline for comparing against food costs.
Formula:
Net revenue = Gross order value - Platform commission - Packaging - Delivery - Payment costs
? Example net revenue:
Pizza order €28.00 via Uber Eats:
- Gross revenue: €28.00
- Uber Eats commission (25%): €7.00
- Packaging: €0.95
- Payment costs: €0.70
Net revenue: €19.35
Calculate your margin per platform
Now you can determine actual profitability. Take your ingredient costs and compare them to net revenue (excluding VAT). This is the kind of thing you only learn after closing your first month at a loss - every platform eats differently into your margins.
Formula:
Margin % = ((Net revenue excl. VAT - Ingredient costs) / Net revenue excl. VAT) × 100
? Example margin calculation:
Pizza with net revenue €19.35:
- Net revenue excl. VAT: €19.35 / 1.09 = €17.75
- Ingredient costs: €6.20
- Profit: €17.75 - €6.20 = €11.55
Margin: (€11.55 / €17.75) × 100 = 65.1%
Compare all platforms in one overview
Build a comparison chart showing margins per platform for identical dishes. You'll instantly spot which channels deliver the highest profitability.
? Example comparison burger €22:
Ingredient costs: €7.50
- Own website: Margin 68% (€14.70 profit)
- Deliveroo: Margin 58% (€11.20 profit)
- Uber Eats: Margin 52% (€8.90 profit)
Difference between best and worst: €5.80 per burger
Adjust your strategy per platform
Armed with these numbers, you can make informed decisions. Transform low-margin platforms into strategic tools:
- High commission platforms: Increase prices or spotlight dishes with minimal ingredient costs
- Lower-fee platforms: Push your premium, high-ticket items
- Direct website orders: Incentivize with exclusive discounts
⚠️ Note:
Large price differences between platforms will be noticed by customers. Keep differences under 10-15%.
Automate your calculations
Manual calculations consume valuable time and invite errors. Tools like a food cost calculator can track platform-specific costs per dish, instantly revealing which combinations maximize profitability.
How do you calculate margin per delivery platform? (step by step)
Collect all costs per platform
Note for each platform: commission percentage, packaging costs per order, payment costs and any marketing fees. Check your contracts for exact percentages.
Calculate net revenue per order
Subtract all platform-specific costs from your gross order value. This gives you the net revenue you use for further calculations.
Calculate margin per platform
Divide your net revenue by 1.09 for excl. VAT, subtract ingredient costs, and calculate the percentage. Compare all platforms for the same dish.
✨ Pro tip
Track your top 3 dishes across all platforms for the next 14 days - this focused approach reveals 75% of your margin opportunities. Don't waste time calculating every menu item when these core performers drive most of your revenue.
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
Should I charge different prices per platform?
How often should I check my margins per platform?
What if a platform generates consistently low margins?
Should packaging costs factor into my calculations?
Can I offer discounts on my own website without hurting profits?
How do I handle platforms that bundle marketing fees with commissions?
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
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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