The Deliveroo alternative built for independent restaurants
Deliveroo's dominance in the UK and European food delivery market has given restaurants something valuable: access to millions of hungry customers. But the price is steep. Commission rates of 25–35% mean that on a £25 order, up to £8.75 goes to the platform before you account for food cost, packaging, and labour. For independent restaurants with thin margins, this arithmetic simply doesn't work. Ordresto offers a direct ordering solution that lets you keep every pound you earn.
Deliveroo
25–35%
Ordresto
0% commission
Understanding the real economics of platform dependency
When Deliveroo launched its UK restaurant partnerships, the pitch was simple: let us handle customer acquisition and logistics, you focus on cooking. For many restaurants, especially those without an existing online presence, the deal made economic sense. Fast-forward several years and the calculation has changed fundamentally. Most restaurants on Deliveroo now have established customer bases that originally found them through the platform — yet they continue to pay acquisition-level commissions on every single repeat order.
This is the core inefficiency of the platform model: you pay the same rate to serve a loyal customer for the twentieth time as you do to attract someone brand new. A direct ordering channel breaks this cycle. Once a customer orders through your own page, every subsequent order costs you nothing in commission regardless of how many times they come back.
The secondary cost is data. Deliveroo owns your customer relationships. You cannot email your best customers, run a birthday offer, or survey preferences. Ordresto reverses this: every customer who orders directly is in your database, reachable by email or through our built-in messaging integrations.
What makes Ordresto different from just having a website
A static restaurant website with a PDF menu is not a direct ordering channel. Ordresto is a complete ordering infrastructure: menu management with photos and modifiers, real-time order flow to your kitchen tablet, integrated payment processing through Stripe, delivery zone management, and live GPS tracking for your riders. All of this under your own brand, at your own URL.
The kitchen tablet is central to the experience. When an order is placed on your Ordresto page, the tablet alerts your kitchen team immediately with a sound notification and triggers automatic thermal printing. There is no manual step, no risk of missed orders, and no need for staff to watch a screen. The workflow mirrors what your team already does with Deliveroo — but the revenue stays with you.
Growing your direct channel month by month
The most effective strategy for building a direct channel is gradual. Start by adding your Ordresto QR code to all packaging and receipts from Deliveroo orders. Customers who have already enjoyed your food are your warmest prospects for direct ordering. A simple message inside the packaging — 'Order directly and save 10%' — converts a meaningful percentage on the first attempt.
Over time, track the split between platform and direct orders in your Ordresto dashboard. As direct orders grow, the fixed monthly subscription becomes an increasingly small percentage of your total delivery revenue. For most restaurants, the crossover point — where Ordresto saves more per month than it costs — arrives within the first sixty to ninety days.
Key features
Commission-free on every order
One flat monthly fee, no percentage of sales. As your delivery volume grows, your savings compound — Ordresto's cost stays constant.
Branded ordering experience
Your customers see your logo, your menu, your photography. No competitor listings, no platform upsells, just your restaurant.
Customer database ownership
Build your own CRM with every direct order. Re-engage lapsed customers, run loyalty campaigns, and understand your audience.
Live delivery tracking
Customers follow their rider in real time on a map. Fewer 'where's my order' calls and higher satisfaction scores.
Multi-channel marketing tools
Send promotions via WhatsApp, Messenger, or email directly from your dashboard. Market to your own list without platform permission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my Deliveroo listing while using Ordresto?
Absolutely. Ordresto and Deliveroo operate independently. You can maintain your Deliveroo presence while building your direct channel, transitioning customers gradually.
What does Ordresto cost?
Ordresto offers a free Starter plan and paid Pro and Enterprise plans for growing restaurants. All plans include zero commission on orders — you only pay a flat monthly subscription.
Does Ordresto work on mobile?
Yes. The ordering interface is fully responsive and optimised for mobile. Most online food orders are placed on smartphones, and Ordresto is built with that in mind.
Can I offer discounts to customers who switch from Deliveroo?
Yes. Ordresto's built-in promotions engine lets you create first-order discounts, percentage-off codes, and bundle deals to incentivise direct ordering.
How does the kitchen receive orders?
Orders appear on your kitchen tablet in real time with an audio alert and automatic thermal printing. The process is instant and requires no manual staff action.
Build your direct ordering channel today
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