How much commission do delivery apps take from Canadian restaurants? A plain guide for owners

> Quick answer: Delivery apps charge a commission per order that can be a flat fee or a percentage of the sale, and the exact amount depends on the app, your contract, and any additional services you select. The commission is deducted before the payout reaches your bank account, so the net amount yo

> Quick answer: Delivery apps charge a commission per order that can be a flat fee or a percentage of the sale, and the exact amount depends on the app, your contract, and any additional services you select. The commission is deducted before the payout reaches your bank account, so the net amount you receive is lower than the customer’s total. You can avoid these fees by accepting orders directly through a commission‑free online ordering platform.

What “commission” really means for Canadian restaurants

When a customer places an order through a third‑party delivery service, the platform typically takes a commission per order. This commission is the platform’s charge for connecting the diner with your restaurant, handling the payment gateway, and, in many cases, providing the delivery driver. The commission can be structured in two common ways:

1. Flat‑fee per order – a set amount taken from every order regardless of size.
2. Percentage of the order subtotal – a proportion of the food cost before taxes, tips, and delivery fees.

Both structures are designed to cover the technology, marketing, and logistics that the app provides. The exact figure is outlined in the contract you sign with the platform and can vary based on factors such as the volume of orders you generate, whether you use the platform’s own drivers, and any promotional programs you opt into.

How to locate the commission rate in your statements

Every major delivery app provides a monthly statement or dashboard where you can see the breakdown of each order. Look for a line item labeled “commission,” “platform fee,” or “service charge.” If the figure is expressed as a flat amount, it will appear as a dollar value; if it’s a percentage, the statement will usually show the calculated amount next to the order subtotal.

If you’re unsure where to find this information, log into the partner portal of the app you use (for example, the Uber Eats partner dashboard) and navigate to the “Payments” or “Financials” section. Most platforms also send a monthly email summary that includes the total commission charged for that period.

Typical commission ranges you might encounter

While exact numbers differ by contract, industry observations show that the commission per order for the biggest Canadian delivery apps generally falls within a predictable range:

• Low‑tier plans – often a modest flat fee per order, sometimes paired with a lower percentage on larger orders.
• Standard plans – a combination of a modest flat fee plus a mid‑range percentage of the order subtotal.
• Premium plans – higher percentages or additional fees for marketing boosts, priority placement, or exclusive driver networks.

Because each app offers multiple pricing tiers, the best way to know your specific rate is to review your contract or the most recent statement. If you’re negotiating a new agreement, ask the account manager to provide a clear breakdown of the commission structure before you sign.

Why many owners look for commission‑free alternatives

Paying a commission on every delivery order can erode profit margins, especially for lower‑ticket items or high‑volume lunch service. Restaurants that build a direct ordering channel keep the full sale price, only paying the flat monthly cost of the platform they use.

A commission‑free solution also gives you:

• Full control over branding – orders appear on your own domain, reinforcing your restaurant’s identity.
• Direct customer data – you own the email addresses and phone numbers, enabling loyalty programs and targeted marketing.
• No hidden fees – with a flat‑monthly plan and 0% order fees, you know exactly what you’ll pay each month.

If you’re curious about how a commission‑free model works, check out our detailed guide: /blog/commission-free-online-ordering-how-it-works.

How AIOrders eliminates the commission hurdle

AIOrders offers a commission‑free online ordering platform for restaurants in Canada and the USA. Instead of paying a per‑order fee to a third‑party marketplace, you subscribe to a flat‑monthly plan that includes:

• 0% order fees – no hidden percentages taken from each sale.
• No setup fee or long‑term contract – you can start quickly and cancel without penalty.
• Live in 14 days or your money back – a risk‑free trial to see the impact on your bottom line.
• Ordering on your own domain – customers stay on your website, reinforcing brand loyalty.
• Smart QR dine‑in ordering – guests can scan a QR code at the table and order directly, bypassing the need for a third‑party app.
• Menu Import with owner review – upload your menu, review it, and publish only when you’re ready.
• Order Hub – consolidates orders from DoorDash, Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and Grubhub into a single dashboard, simplifying fulfillment.
• Own drivers or Uber Direct – you decide how orders are delivered, keeping control over the customer experience.
• AI website builder, AI Google review replies, loyalty and win‑back email/SMS, AI calling receptionist – tools that help you attract, retain, and serve diners without extra cost.

By moving orders to a commission‑free platform, you keep the full revenue from each sale while still benefiting from the reach of the major delivery apps through the Order Hub.

Comparing the major apps – where to learn more

If you want a deeper dive into the specific commission structures of the biggest players, our dedicated posts break down the details:

• Uber Eats – see the latest analysis of its commission model for Canadian restaurants /blog/ubereats-commission-fees-canada.
• SkipTheDishes – explore how its fees are structured and what options are available /blog/skipthedishes-commission.
• DoorDash, Grubhub, and others – while we don’t list exact numbers, the same principles apply: a commission per order that varies by plan and contract.

These resources can help you benchmark your current costs against industry norms and decide whether a commission‑free solution makes sense for your operation.

Steps to transition from commission‑based apps to direct ordering

1. Audit your current fees – pull the last three months of statements from each delivery app and calculate the total commission paid.
2. Identify high‑margin items – focus on menu items where the commission eats into profit the most.
3. Set up AIOrders – sign up for a flat‑monthly plan, import your menu, and customize your website.
4. Promote the new channel – use in‑store signage, QR codes, and email campaigns to drive customers to order directly.
5. Leverage the Order Hub – keep receiving orders from the apps you still use, but fulfill them through your own kitchen workflow.
6. Monitor performance – compare the net revenue from direct orders versus app orders after a month to see the impact.

Frequently asked questions

Do delivery apps charge restaurants a commission in Canada? Yes. Most delivery platforms apply a commission per order, either as a flat fee or a percentage of the order subtotal, which is deducted before the payout reaches your bank account.

Can I take orders without paying commission? Absolutely. By using a commission‑free online ordering platform such as AIOrders, you can accept direct orders on your own website with 0% order fees and only a predictable monthly subscription cost.

Can I keep using the apps and still sell direct? Yes. AIOrders’ Order Hub lets you continue receiving orders from DoorDash, Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and Grubhub while also handling direct orders on your own site, giving you the best of both worlds.

Ready to stop paying commission on every delivery? Book a demo and see how a commission‑free solution can boost your restaurant’s profitability.