Guide
What is commission-free ordering?
Commission-free ordering is an online ordering model where a restaurant or café takes orders under its own brand and domain without paying a marketplace a revenue commission on every order.
Short answer
Commission-free ordering is a model where a business does not pay the kind of per-order revenue commission that marketplaces charge on orders coming through its own website, app or QR channel. Customers order directly from the business, so revenue, customer data and communication stay with the restaurant. Instead of commission, there is usually a fixed/monthly fee or free setup.
Definition
Commission-free ordering is an approach where the business uses its own channel instead of paying a percentage cut (commission) per order. The restaurant pays no revenue share to an intermediary for orders coming through its website, mobile app, QR menu or social media link.
Unlike the 10–35% commission that marketplaces (e.g. food delivery apps) take on every order, this model leaves revenue with the business. Marketplaces can still be used for visibility; the commission-free channel becomes the hub for profitable, repeat orders.
How does it work?
The commission-free ordering model typically works as follows:
- The business opens an ordering channel (web, app, QR) under its own brand and domain.
- Customers order directly through this channel with no marketplace intermediary in between.
- The order amount goes to the business; no percentage commission is deducted from revenue.
- Instead of commission the business pays a fixed/monthly fee or starts with free setup.
- Customer data and marketing consent stay with the business, enabling loyalty and remarketing.
Benefits
Commission-free ordering shifts margin and customer ownership to the business.
Higher margin
With no percentage commission per order, profit stays with the business.
Customer ownership
Order, address and contact data accumulate with the business, not the marketplace.
Brand control
The ordering experience happens under the business's own brand and domain.
Predictable cost
You plan a fixed cost instead of a commission tied to revenue.
Best practices
To get the most from your commission-free channel:
- Add your ordering link to Instagram, your Google Business profile and QR receipts.
- Keep marketplaces but promote your own channel with pricing/campaigns.
- Offer online card payment and pay-at-door together.
- Use customer data to build loyalty and re-order campaigns.
- Define delivery zones, minimum basket and times clearly.
Related guides and solutions
Frequently asked questions
- Is commission-free ordering completely free?
No revenue commission is charged. Instead there is usually a fixed/monthly fee or free setup; as revenue grows, the model becomes far more economical than commission.
- Do I have to abandon marketplaces entirely?
No. Marketplaces can still be used to acquire new customers; the commission-free channel becomes the hub for repeat, profitable orders.
- How is payment taken in commission-free ordering?
Online card payment and pay-at-door can be offered together; payment goes directly through the business's own payment setup.
- Do I need my own website for commission-free ordering?
Not necessarily. With a white-label platform a ready ordering channel can go live under your own brand and domain within a few days.
Summary
Commission-free ordering is a model where the business takes orders through its own brand and channel without paying revenue commission. It keeps margin, customer data and brand control with the business; marketplaces are used for visibility while profitable orders are gathered on the commission-free channel.
Get started
Contact us about an online ordering solution for your business and start taking orders on your own channel with Dijifis.