The three models
Commission-based
Pay a % of every order. Examples: Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats. No upfront cost — but you pay forever. The more you sell, the more you pay.
SaaS subscription
Pay a fixed monthly fee. Examples: Flipdish, Slerp, Orderbee. Low upfront cost — but you pay every month regardless of order volume, and fees can increase.
One-off licence
Pay once, own the software. No ongoing per-order fees, no monthly subscription, no commission. Higher upfront cost — lowest total cost of ownership.
Model 1: Commission-based platforms
Commission platforms such as Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats charge a percentage of each order value. Rates vary from approximately 14% (negotiated Just Eat base rate) to 35% (premium Deliveroo packages), with effective all-in rates typically 20–30% when VAT on commission and payment processing are included.
The hidden mechanic: Commission platforms benefit from your success. Every time you increase your average order value or order volume, you pay more to the platform — not more for a service improvement, but simply because you sold more. For a busy restaurant, this is the most expensive model available by a wide margin.
When it makes sense: For a restaurant that is just starting online ordering and wants zero upfront commitment, commission platforms are the lowest-risk entry point. They also provide meaningful discovery reach — new customers find you through the platform's marketing. The business case is for using them for new customer acquisition while building a direct channel for repeat orders.
Model 2: SaaS subscription tools
SaaS (Software as a Service) tools charge a monthly fee — typically £29–£299/month depending on features and order volume. You are renting access to the software rather than buying it. If you stop paying, you lose access to the system.
Typical pricing: Entry-level SaaS tools start around £29–£49/month. More capable platforms with menu management, marketing tools, and multi-location support are typically £99–£299/month. At £149/month, that is £1,788/year — and it rises with price increases.
The vendor dependency risk: If your SaaS vendor increases prices (common), shuts down, or changes their product in ways that don't suit your business, you have limited recourse. Your ordering data and customer database may not be portable.
When it makes sense: SaaS is appropriate when upfront capital is very constrained, when the business is early-stage and volume is uncertain, or when the specific SaaS platform offers capabilities (integrations, marketing automation) that justify the ongoing cost against a licence alternative.
Model 3: One-off software licence
A software licence is a one-time purchase — you pay for the software and own it. Food-Ordering.com follows this model: £2,500 for the online ordering module only, or £3,500 for the full platform including kiosk, CallerID, and all features. There is no ongoing per-order cost, no commission, and no monthly subscription.
Optional ongoing costs include web hosting (£10/month if using Food-Ordering.com hosting, or self-host) and optional support (£30/month). These are optional — many restaurants self-host on existing Windows infrastructure and use built-in documentation rather than a support contract.
The compounding advantage: Unlike commission or subscription models, a licence cost does not grow as your business grows. A restaurant doing 50 orders/week and one doing 500 orders/week pay exactly the same licence fee.
5-year cost comparison at different order volumes
| Volume | Commission (25%) | SaaS (£99/mo) | Food-Ordering.com licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 orders/wk · £18 avg | £35,100 | £5,940 | £4,099 |
| 60 orders/wk · £20 avg | £78,000 | £5,940 | £4,099 |
| 100 orders/wk · £22 avg | £143,000 | £5,940 | £4,099 |
| 200 orders/wk · £25 avg | £325,000 | £5,940 | £4,099 |
* Commission calculated at 25%. SaaS at £99/month × 60 months. Food-Ordering.com: £3,500 licence + £10/month hosting × 60 months = £4,099 total 5-year cost.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of online ordering systems for restaurants?
Commission-based (Just Eat / Deliveroo model — pay % per order), SaaS subscription (monthly fee), and software licence (one-off purchase, no ongoing commission). Each has different cost structures and risk profiles.
Which ordering system type is cheapest?
For any restaurant with meaningful order volume, a software licence is cheapest over 3–5 years. The licence cost is fixed; commission and subscription costs grow over time (commission grows with revenue; SaaS increases with vendor pricing).
Can I switch from Just Eat to a direct ordering system?
Yes. Many restaurants add a direct ordering site alongside their platform listings and gradually migrate repeat customers to direct ordering. There is no exclusivity requirement with Just Eat or Deliveroo.
Calculate your ordering system ROI
Tell us your current weekly order volume and average order value. We will show you the exact breakeven timeline for a Food-Ordering.com licence vs your current arrangement.
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5-Year Cost Comparison · vs Just Eat / Deliveroo · vs Flipdish