Online food delivery is a vital component of how restaurants grow, reach new customers, and remain competitive. However, with numerous platforms available, the question isn’t whether to offer delivery, but rather which third-party provider to partner with.

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DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats dominate the North American market, each with its own pricing models, customer reach, and platform features. Choosing the right one can impact everything from your bottom line to your brand visibility.

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And the opportunity is huge. In 2025, revenue from online food delivery in North America is projected to reach US$457.80 billion, making it one of the most significant growth channels for restaurants today.

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In this guide, we’ll break down how each platform works from a business owner’s perspective, comparing delivery fees, commission structures, market reach, tech features, and more. Let’s help you make the most informed decision for your restaurant.

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DoorDash Overview

DoorDash began as a small logistics-focused startup in 2013 and has since become a go-to delivery partner for over 100,000 restaurants and retailers in North America. Its strength lies in its expansive reach, especially in suburban areas and smaller towns where other platforms may have limited presence.

DoorDash is built to help restaurants tap into new markets and offer flexible fulfillment options, all through a user-friendly interface that supports both meal delivery and retail orders.

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Key Features of DoorDash:

• DashPass Program: Attracts high-frequency users with free delivery and lower service fees, increasing order volume from loyal customers.
• Group Ordering: Enables multiple customers to add items to a single cart, making it great for catering or office lunch rushes.
• Extensive U.S. Coverage: Serves over 7,000 cities across North America, making it an ideal solution for local restaurants seeking to expand their regional footprint.
• Scheduled & On-Demand Delivery: Offers flexibility for restaurants to accept immediate orders or allow customers to schedule ahead of time.
• Non-Restaurant Delivery: Supports delivery from grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience shops.

For restaurant owners, DoorDash provides a scalable platform to enhance visibility, drive sales growth, and connect with customers where they are. Its massive user base and focus on local markets make it a solid partner for restaurants aiming to expand their digital reach without overcomplicating operations.

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But while DoorDash leads in suburban reach and flexible delivery models, Grubhub brings its own strengths to the table.

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Grubhub Overview

As one of the earliest players in the food delivery space, Grubhub has been helping restaurants connect with customers since 2004, well before many of its competitors entered the scene. With a strong presence in many U.S. cities and college towns, it has established a reputation for reliability and deep integration with local dining cultures.

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Grubhub is especially known for its focus on restaurant-first partnerships, offering flexible solutions, marketing support, and data insights to help independent eateries thrive.

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Key Features of Grubhub:

• Established Market Presence: With millions of active users and deep roots in metro areas, Grubhub remains a familiar name across the U.S., especially in older urban markets and campuses.
• Branded Ordering Tools: Offers restaurants the option to add Grubhub-powered online ordering to their websites, allowing them to maintain more control over the customer experience.
• Pickup and Delivery Options: Restaurants can enable delivery via Grubhub’s driver network or manage their own fulfillment through a pickup-only model.
• Grubhub+ Membership: Attracts loyal customers with perks like free delivery and member-exclusive deals, encouraging higher order frequency.
• Marketing and Loyalty Tools: Businesses can run targeted promotions and participate in loyalty programs to increase repeat orders and improve their visibility in search results.

Grubhub may not have the same national scale as Uber Eats or DoorDash today, but it still holds strong brand recognition and a solid presence in key urban regions. For restaurants that value customized support and long-standing industry experience, it remains a platform worth considering.

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Grubhub brings long-standing experience to the table, but when it comes to scale and tech-driven convenience, Uber Eats is a major contender.

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Uber Eats Overview

Launched in 2014 as an offshoot of the Uber rideshare app, Uber Eats has become a major player in the food delivery space. It offers restaurants access to a large and diverse customer base, especially in major metropolitan areas, and integrates seamlessly with the existing Uber app, which millions already use.

From takeout to pickup and everything in between, Uber Eats focuses on speed, convenience, and personalization, making it an attractive option for restaurants aiming to scale quickly.

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Key Features of Uber Eats:

• Extensive Restaurant Network: This includes everything from mom-and-pop eateries to global fast-food chains, giving your business a competitive edge alongside high-traffic names.
• Delivery & Pickup Options: Customers can choose to have food delivered or place a pickup order, allowing restaurants to serve both in-house and off-premise diners.
• Uber One Subscription: Encourages repeat orders with perks like $0 delivery fees and exclusive savings for paying members.
• AI-Powered Recommendations: The app utilizes past orders and customer behavior to suggest restaurants and dishes, thereby enhancing visibility for your offerings.
• Integrated Payments: Payments are streamlined through Uber’s ecosystem, allowing users to pay with saved cards, credits, or digital wallets, thereby reducing checkout friction.

For restaurant owners, Uber Eats offers fast onboarding, real-time order tracking, and exposure to high-volume urban markets. It’s especially valuable for brands looking to scale operations in densely populated areas or tap into Uber’s multi-service user base.

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Now that we’ve examined each platform individually, it’s time to compare them side by side and identify the key differences that matter most to restaurant partners.

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DoorDash vs Grubhub vs Uber Eats: Key Differences

Choosing the right delivery partner means understanding how each platform supports your restaurant’s unique goals. From pricing models to customer reach and technical features, the differences between DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats can have a real impact on your operations and bottom line.

Here’s a side-by-side look at what sets each one apart:

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Each platform brings something different to the table. DoorDash offers strong local reach and versatility, Grubhub stands out for its long-standing relationships and support tools, while Uber Eats delivers speed and scale in densely populated markets.

With the key differences laid out, it’s time to take a closer look at what each platform means for your business. First up: the pros and cons of partnering with DoorDash.

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Pros and Cons of DoorDash

Deciding whether DoorDash is the right fit for your restaurant comes down to understanding how its strengths and weaknesses align with your goals. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you weigh the benefits and challenges.

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Pros:

• Widest Market Reach: Operates in over 7,000 cities, ideal for tapping into both local and suburban demand.
• High Brand Awareness: Well-known among consumers, often leading to more frequent orders.
• DashPass Membership: Drives repeat business with free delivery and reduced fees for subscribers.
• Flexible Fulfillment: Offers both scheduled and on-demand deliveries.
• Beyond Restaurants: Supports convenience, grocery, and retail deliveries.

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Cons:

• High Commission Fees: Ranges from 20% to 29%, which can eat into margins.
• Limited Branding Control: Orders flow through DoorDash’s interface, not your own platform.
• Variable Delivery Experience: Driver quality and speed can vary by location.
• Crowded Marketplace: Competing for visibility often requires additional marketing spend.

DoorDash has the tools to support serious growth, but it’s most effective when the added reach outweighs the platform costs. 

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Now, let’s take a closer look at how Grubhub compares.

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Pros and Cons of Grubhub

Grubhub may not be the newest name in food delivery, but its long-standing presence and focus on restaurant relationships still make it a solid contender. Here’s what to consider before partnering with the platform.

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Pros:

• Established Market Presence: Strong roots in many U.S. cities and college towns, with loyal customer bases.
• Branded Ordering Tools: Let restaurants add Grubhub-powered ordering to their own websites.
• Restaurant-Friendly Model: Offers flexible delivery options, including self-delivery.
• Marketing Support: Access to built-in promo tools and customer loyalty features.
• Focused on Food: A platform built specifically around restaurants, not diluted by non-food offerings.

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Cons:

• Shrinking Market Share: Faces stiff competition from newer, more aggressive platforms.
• Limited Suburban Reach: Less presence in smaller towns and suburbs compared to DoorDash.
• Visibility Challenges: Standing out in listings may require paid boosts or discounts to increase visibility.
• Fees Still Apply: Commission rates can be similar to competitors, despite a smaller scale in some areas.

Grubhub works best for restaurants in urban areas seeking steady, food-focused partnerships, especially those that want more flexibility in managing fulfillment. 

Next, let’s look at the pros and cons of partnering with Uber Eats.

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Pros and Cons of Uber Eats

Uber Eats brings the power of the Uber brand to the world of food delivery. With wide city coverage, strong tech integration, and access to a massive user base, it offers big potential for fast-moving restaurants. But like any third-party platform, there are trade-offs to consider.

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Pros:

• Massive Customer Base: Shared ecosystem with Uber means instant access to millions of active users.
• Tech-Driven Features: Real-time tracking, personalized suggestions, and seamless app experience.
• High Urban Penetration: Strong presence in metro areas, ideal for city-based restaurants.
• Uber One Perks: A Subscription program that encourages frequent orders through free delivery and discounts.
• Streamlined Payments: Easily handles payments through stored cards, Uber Cash, or digital wallets.

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Cons:

• High Competition: Crowded listings can make it harder for smaller restaurants to stand out.
• Commission Fees: Can range from 15% to 30% or more, depending on the services used.
• Less Control Over Customer Experience: Orders are handled entirely within Uber’s app and delivery network.
• Urban-Focused Reach: May offer limited value in rural or suburban areas compared to DoorDash.

Uber Eats is best suited for restaurants in high-traffic urban areas that want to scale quickly and tap into a tech-savvy customer base.

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Each platform brings its strengths and challenges, and what works for one restaurant might not suit another. That’s why it’s important to know how to pick the right delivery partner for your business.

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Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing the right delivery partner is about what works best for your restaurant’s goals, customers, and margins. Each of these platforms has its strengths, and the best fit depends on where your restaurant is located, what you serve, and how much control you want to keep.

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• When to Choose DoorDash: Opt for DoorDash if your restaurant serves suburban or regional areas and you want maximum reach. It’s also a strong choice if you’re looking to expand into grocery, convenience, or retail delivery, alongside meal services.
• When to Choose Grubhub: Grubhub is ideal if you value long-term support, loyalty features, and flexible fulfillment options, such as self-delivery. It’s particularly effective in established urban markets and college towns.
• When to Choose Uber Eats: If your restaurant is located in a busy city and you want to tap into a large, tech-savvy customer base, Uber Eats delivers fast. It’s a solid option for restaurants looking for scalability and a seamless customer experience.

But what if you didn’t have to rely on third-party apps at all?

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With iOrders, you can take control of your deliveries; keep more revenue, build direct relationships with your customers, and manage your own delivery or pickup experience. Here’s a quick look at how iOrders stacks up against the big three.

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Comparison: The Big Three vs. iOrders

While DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats offer convenience and exposure, they also come with trade-offs, particularly in terms of control and cost. iOrders takes a different approach, one built around prioritizing restaurants.

Here’s how it compares across key features that impact your bottom line and long-term growth.

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With iOrders, instead of choosing one platform, you get a solution that prioritizes your restaurant, without relying on third-party intermediaries. So, let’s take a look at what iOrders can do for your business.

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Why iOrders Is a Smarter Alternative?

Built specifically for restaurants, iOrders provides you with the tools to run your online ordering system, manage deliveries, and connect directly with your customers, all without paying hefty commissions.

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Here’s what iOrders brings to the table:

• Commission-Free Ordering: Accept direct orders from your website or social media; no third-party fees, no lost profits. You own the customer relationship from start to finish.
• Custom Website & QR Code Menus: Create a branded website and let guests order via QR codes at the table or counter. Fast, simple, and tailored to your brand.
• Delivery-as-a-Service: Skip the hassle of managing a driver fleet. iOrders partners with drivers and handles logistics, allowing you to offer reliable delivery without the overhead.
• Managed Marketing services: Get expert help with social media, paid ads, email campaigns, and digital promos, all designed to boost orders and repeat business.
• Loyalty & Rewards: Keep customers coming back with personalized offers, points, discounts, and special perks, built right into your platform.
• Smart, Data-Driven Campaigns: Utilize customer behavior and order history to deliver the right offers at the optimal time. Let iOrders’ smart tools do the targeting for you.
• AI Review Management: Stay ahead of your online reputation with AI-powered tools that track, analyze, and respond to customer reviews automatically.
• White-Label Mobile App: Launch your own app, fully branded to your restaurant, so customers can order, earn rewards, and engage directly with your business.

If you’re ready to move beyond high fees and limited control, iOrders helps you build a delivery system that works for you, not the other way around.

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Conclusion

The food delivery platform you choose can make or break your restaurant’s profitability and customer loyalty. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats each offer reach and recognition, but they also come with steep fees and limited control over your brand.

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By understanding how these platforms compare on key factors like commission rates, delivery options, customer data, and loyalty tools, you can make a choice that best supports your restaurant’s goals.

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Are you looking to build a more profitable, direct connection with your diners? iOrders offers a commission-free platform with smart delivery solutions, automated marketing, loyalty programs, and full brand control. It’s everything you need to scale your delivery business, without handing over a cut of every order.

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Ready to take control of your delivery success? Book a demo with iOrders today and grow your restaurant on your terms.