Every order through Just Eat or Deliveroo hands over 14 to 30% in commission, on food you cooked, to customers who are often already yours. If you want the full breakdown first, our guide to what Just Eat and Deliveroo commissions really cost you puts real numbers on it. Your own online ordering system takes those orders commission-free, on your brand, with your customer data. Here is how it works, what it costs, and when it pays off.
Can you build your own restaurant ordering system?
Yes. A custom online ordering system lets customers order directly from your own website or app, with no per-order commission to a third party. It handles your menu, the cart, payment and order management, and the orders come straight to you. For a busy takeaway, owning this instead of renting a marketplace can transform the margins. If you are starting from nothing, our guide to a restaurant website with online ordering walks through the whole build.
Why build your own instead of using Just Eat or Deliveroo?
The marketplaces bring reach, but at a heavy cost, and they own the customer relationship, not you. Your own system flips that, the case we make in full in our guide to low-commission online ordering.
- No commission: keep the 14 to 30% the marketplaces take per order.
- Your customers: you get the data and can market to them directly.
- Your brand: the experience is yours, not buried in an app of competitors.
- Your rules: your menu, deals, delivery areas and hours, your way.
What does a custom ordering system include?
A complete system covers everything from menu to kitchen: a browsable menu with options and extras, a smooth cart and checkout, secure card payment, and an order dashboard or printout for your staff. It can add collection and delivery options, scheduled orders, and customer accounts. It is a custom web app, built around how your kitchen actually runs, see our custom web apps service.
How much does a restaurant ordering system cost?
A custom online ordering system in Ireland typically starts in the low thousands as a one-off, plus modest hosting, with no per-order commission. Compared with paying a quarter of every order forever, it often pays for itself quickly. We break down custom build costs in how much a custom web app costs.
Is it worth it for a small takeaway?
It depends on volume, and the maths is usually compelling. If you take, say, €8,000 a month through the marketplaces at 25% commission, that is €2,000 a month, €24,000 a year, handed over. Even a few thousand euro for your own system pays back in months. The more you sell, the more obvious the case becomes.
How do I get customers to order direct?
Give them a reason and make it easy. Promote your direct ordering with a better price or a loyalty perk than the marketplaces, put a QR code on menus, receipts and packaging, and mention it on your socials and Google Business Profile. Many customers happily order direct once they know it exists and it saves them, or you, money.
Frequently asked questions
Will I still need Just Eat or Deliveroo?
Many restaurants keep them for discovery while pushing repeat customers to order direct, so they get reach and better margins. Over time, as direct ordering grows, the marketplace commission becomes a smaller slice of your business rather than the whole of it.
Can customers pay online and choose delivery or collection?
Yes. A custom system takes card payments up front and lets customers choose collection or delivery, schedule orders, and add notes. You control delivery areas, fees and timing, rather than fitting into a marketplace's rules.
How long does it take to build?
A focused ordering system usually takes a few weeks, depending on your menu size and the features you need. We start with the core, ordering and payment, get it live, then add extras like loyalty or scheduling. See an example of our restaurant work, the Oak Room.
Tired of handing over commission on every order? Tell us about your menu and volume and we will scope a system that pays for itself. Get a free quote.