Your own delivery driver can save you thousands of euros per year on platform fees, but only if you have enough orders. Many restaurants switch too early or stay with platforms too long because they don't calculate the real costs. Calculate step by step if your own delivery driver makes financial sense for your situation.
The real costs of platform delivery
Platforms like Thuisbezorgd and Uber Eats charge 15-30% commission on your order value. On an average order of €25, you'll pay €3.75 to €7.50 to the platform. But there are more costs hiding underneath:
- Platform commission: 15-30% of order value
- Extra packaging costs: €0.50-€1.00 per order
- Marketing fees (optional): 2-5% extra
- Payment costs: €0.25-€0.35 per transaction
💡 Example platform costs:
Order of €25.00 via Thuisbezorgd (25% commission):
- Platform commission: €6.25
- Packaging: €0.75
- Payment costs: €0.30
Total costs per order: €7.30 (29.2% of order value)
The costs of your own delivery driver
A delivery driver on payroll costs more than just the hourly wage. You need to include all employer costs that add up quickly:
- Gross hourly wage: €12.00-€15.00
- Employer contributions (25-30%): €3.00-€4.50
- Scooter lease/depreciation: €150-€300 per month
- Fuel: €0.75-€1.25 per delivery
- Scooter insurance: €50-€100 per month
- Maintenance: €25-€50 per month
💡 Example own delivery driver:
Driver 20 hours per week, €13.50 gross hourly wage:
- Wage costs per month: €13.50 × 20 × 4.33 × 1.28 = €1,496
- Scooter lease: €200
- Fuel (80 deliveries): €80
- Insurance: €75
- Maintenance: €35
Total costs per month: €1,886
Calculate your break-even point
Your break-even point is the number of orders where costs of your own delivery driver equal platform fees. Use this formula:
Break-even orders per month = Monthly driver costs / (Platform fee per order - Fuel costs per order)
⚠️ Note:
Don't calculate only with platform commission, but with all costs per order. Packaging and payment costs remain with your own delivery service.
Practical example: does it pay off?
Let's say you're paying €6.25 platform fee per order (25% of €25 average order) and fuel costs €1.00 per delivery. Your monthly costs for your own driver are €1,886.
Break-even = €1,886 / (€6.25 - €1.00) = 359 orders per month
That's roughly 12 orders per day. Do you hit this number consistently? Then your own delivery driver makes financial sense. Based on real restaurant P&L data I've analyzed, most establishments break even at 350-400 monthly orders.
💡 Savings at 500 orders per month:
Platform costs: 500 × €6.25 = €3,125
Own driver: €1,886 + (500 × €1.00) = €2,386
Monthly savings: €739 (€8,868 per year)
Additional benefits of your own delivery
Besides cost savings, there are more benefits that are tough to put a price on:
- Direct customer relationship (no platform between you and customer)
- Full control over delivery times
- Your own branding on scooter and uniform
- Flexibility in delivery area
- Better customer service for problems
Risks and disadvantages
Your own delivery driver also brings risks you need to consider:
- Fixed costs even with few orders
- HR obligations (sick leave, vacation, termination)
- Liability for accidents
- Less reach than platforms
- Need your own marketing for orders
⚠️ Note:
Don't start with your own delivery if you have fewer than 300 orders per month. The fixed costs are then too high compared to the savings.
Hybrid model: the smartest approach
Many restaurants choose a hybrid approach: your own delivery for regular customers and nearby postcodes, platforms for new customers and further distances. This combines cost savings with reach.
Systems like KitchenNmbrs can track the real margin per delivery method, so you can make data-driven decisions about your delivery strategy.
How do you calculate whether your own delivery makes sense? (step by step)
Calculate your current platform costs per order
Add up: platform commission + packaging costs + payment costs. At €25 average order and 25% commission, this is approximately €7.30 per order.
Calculate monthly costs for your own driver
Add up: gross wage × 1.28 (employer contributions) + scooter lease + insurance + maintenance. For 20 hours/week, this is approximately €1,500-€2,000 per month.
Calculate break-even point
Divide monthly driver costs by (platform fee - fuel costs per order). At €1,886 monthly costs and €5.25 net savings per order = 359 orders break-even.
Check your current order volume
Do you exceed the break-even point? Then your own delivery makes sense. Below it? Stay with platforms for now and grow your volume first.
✨ Pro tip
Track your delivery volume for 6 weeks during both peak and slow periods before making any decisions. Most restaurants need 380+ monthly orders to justify hiring their own driver.
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
From how many orders per day does your own delivery driver make sense?
On average from 10-15 orders per day, depending on your platform fees and wage costs. Always calculate your own situation using the break-even formula.
Can I hire a delivery driver as a freelancer instead of as an employee?
Legally this is risky due to false self-employment. A permanent driver who only works for you usually falls under employment according to tax authorities. Check with your accountant first.
What if my order volume fluctuates by season?
Calculate your break-even based on your slowest months. In busy periods you earn extra, in slow months you don't lose money. Consider flexible contracts or temporary staff during peak seasons.
Do I have to completely stop using platforms if I start my own delivery?
Not necessarily. Many restaurants use platforms for new customers and further away, their own delivery for regular customers and nearby postcodes. This maximizes reach and margin.
What about insurance with your own delivery?
You need at least commercial scooter insurance (€50-100/month) and liability insurance. Also check if your business insurance covers delivery activities and accidents.
How do I handle driver scheduling during slow periods?
Plan driver hours around your peak delivery times (typically 5-9 PM). During slow periods, your driver can help with prep work, cleaning, or packaging to maximize their productivity.
📚 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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