October 14, 2026 · Coreventra
Every order that comes through a delivery app costs you up to 30 percent of the sale. For a Windsor restaurant doing steady takeout volume, a restaurant online ordering system Windsor Ontario owners control can be the difference between breaking even on delivery and actually profiting from it.
Delivery apps bring visibility, and for many restaurants they are worth keeping. But the math on commissions is brutal, and more restaurants are adding their own ordering channel to keep the full margin on direct orders.
This guide breaks down the commission math, what your own ordering system costs and includes, and the features that make one worth having.
The delivery app commission math
Delivery apps typically charge restaurants commissions in the range of 15 to 30 percent per order, depending on the plan and the market. On a $40 order, that is $6 to $12 gone before food costs, labour, and packaging.
Those fees buy you exposure to the app's customer base and delivery logistics. For new restaurants, that discovery is genuinely valuable.
But for your regulars, the ones who would order from you anyway, the commission is pure margin given away. Every regular who orders direct instead of through the app puts that money back in your pocket.
Do a quick estimate: multiply your average weekly delivery-app orders by your average order value and your commission rate. That number is what your own ordering channel is competing against.
You do not have to leave the apps. Many restaurants keep a basic app presence for discovery while steering regulars to their own ordering site with a small incentive.
Watch for the extras too. Some apps add fees for premium placement, promotions you supposedly opted into, or payment processing on top of the commission. Read the statements carefully, because the headline commission rate is rarely the whole story.
What your own ordering system includes
Your own system lives on your website. Customers browse your menu, customise their order, pay online, and get a confirmation. You get the order in your kitchen without a middleman taking a cut.
Menu management. You control the menu: items, descriptions, photos, prices, modifiers like extra cheese or spice level, and sold-out flags. Changes go live instantly, not after an app review.
Online payments. Customers pay by card or digital wallet at checkout. Funds land in your account through your payment processor, minus standard processing fees only.
Order notifications. Orders arrive where your kitchen looks: a tablet, a printer, or a kitchen display. SMS or email confirmations keep the customer informed.
Customer accounts and order history. Repeat customers reorder favourites in seconds. You also build your own customer list for promotions, which the apps do not share with you.
Promotions you control. Discount codes, combo deals, loyalty rewards. On your own system, a promotion costs you exactly what you choose, not a commission on top.
Pickup-first options. Many restaurants start with pickup-only on their own system, which needs no drivers at all, then add delivery later through a courier partner. Pickup orders carry the highest margin of any order type.
Restaurant online ordering system Windsor Ontario: what does it typically cost?
Off-the-shelf online ordering tools typically charge a monthly fee in the range of roughly $50 to $200, sometimes with a small per-order fee far below app commissions. Treat these as typical ranges.
A custom ordering system built for your restaurant typically costs from several thousand dollars upfront, depending on features like kitchen displays, loyalty programs, and multi-location support.
Ongoing costs for your own system are hosting, payment processing, and occasional maintenance. Compare that total against your current monthly app commissions to see the payback period.
For many restaurants, the system pays for itself within months once regulars start ordering direct. The commission savings are that large.
Restaurant online ordering system Windsor Ontario: features that matter most
Mobile-first ordering. Most food orders happen on phones. If your menu is hard to read or the checkout is clumsy on mobile, customers will go back to the app.
Real-time menu control. Run out of an item at 7 p.m. and it should disappear from the menu at 7 p.m. Stale menus create refunds and bad reviews.
Accurate prep-time estimates. Set realistic pickup and delivery times, and adjust them during rushes. Nothing frustrates customers like a 20-minute quote that becomes an hour.
Integration with your point of sale. Orders should flow into the same system as your in-person sales. Double entry during a dinner rush is a recipe for mistakes.
Google and social ordering links. Your Google Business Profile and Instagram should link straight to your ordering page. Discovery happens there; the order should happen on your site.
Related: your ordering system is part of a bigger online presence. Our ecommerce team builds online ordering and stores that convert, and our website development team makes sure your restaurant site is fast and mobile-friendly.
Steering regulars to your own channel
Put your ordering link everywhere: receipts, takeout bags, table tents, your Google profile, your social bios. Most customers will use whichever link is in front of them.
Offer a small incentive for direct orders: a free drink, loyalty points, or a few dollars off the first online order. It costs far less than ongoing commissions.
Train staff to mention it. A quick line at the counter, that online orders are cheaper or earn rewards, moves regulars over within weeks.
Track what works. Your ordering system should show how many orders come from each source, so you can watch the shift from app orders to direct orders month by month. That trend line is the clearest proof the investment is paying off.
Keep the apps for discovery if they earn their keep. The goal is not purity, it is margin: pay commissions only for customers you would not otherwise reach.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave the delivery apps entirely?
Usually not. The apps bring new customers who have never heard of you, and that discovery has value. The winning strategy for most restaurants is keeping a presence on the apps while building a direct channel for regulars, where you keep the full margin.
How long does it take to set up my own ordering system?
An off-the-shelf ordering tool can be live in a week or two once your menu and photos are ready. A custom system typically takes several weeks to a few months depending on features. In both cases, the menu content, not the technology, is usually the longest part.
Do I need my own delivery drivers?
Not necessarily. Your own ordering system handles the order and payment; delivery can still go through a third-party courier service or a local delivery partner. Many restaurants offer pickup through their own system and use couriers only for delivery orders.
What about the customer data?
This is one of the biggest advantages of your own system. Delivery apps keep the customer relationship. Your own system builds your email and SMS list, which you can use for promotions, new menu announcements, and winning back lapsed customers.
The apps are a channel. Your own ordering system is an asset. Channels take a cut; assets build your business.
If you want an ordering system that keeps the margin where it belongs, get a free quote and we will map out the right setup for your restaurant.