As we move through 2025, the battle between SkipTheDishes and Grubhub continues to shape the North American food delivery landscape, with significant implications for your bottom line.

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For Canadian restaurant owners, understanding the nuances between these two giants has become essential, as SkipTheDishes maintains its dominant position in Canada while Grubhub continues its push northward. 

Their differing commission structures, geographical coverage, and service offerings create distinctly different value propositions for restaurant partners.

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Recent industry data shows that restaurants partnering with the wrong delivery platform lose an average of 30% of their potential online revenue due to excessive commissions and hidden fees. 

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Let's explore the core differences between these two platforms and find out which option is more cost-effective and better for your restaurant type.

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Grubhub

Grubhub has long been a staple in the U.S. food delivery market, connecting customers with restaurants in over 4,000 cities across the country. For restaurant owners in North America, Grubhub offers significant reach and the potential for increased visibility. 

However, the platform comes with high commission rates and a complex fee structure, which can eat into profit margins, especially for small and medium-sized restaurants, QSRs, and ghost kitchens.

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Key Features of Grubhub

• Massive U.S. Presence: With coverage in 4,000+ cities in the U.S. and Canada, Grubhub is the go-to platform for restaurants looking to target large metropolitan areas.
• Commission Fees: Grubhub's commission rates range from 5% to 20%, with additional marketing costs that can quickly add up.
• Marketing and Promotion: Grubhub offers paid promotional listings, but these are an additional cost, making the platform expensive for smaller or budget-conscious restaurants.
• Limited Canadian Presence: Grubhub's operations are still in the early stages in Canada, covering only major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

While Grubhub offers significant reach in the U.S., SkipTheDishes provides a more localized and Canadian-focused solution, making it a strong contender for restaurant owners in Canada. 

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Let's explore the features and advantages of SkipTheDishes.

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SkipTheDishes

SkipTheDishes, a key player in the Canadian market, has built a reputation by offering excellent support and transparent fee structures for restaurants. It is widely used by small and medium-sized restaurant owners, quick service restaurants (QSRs), and virtual kitchens that want a platform tailored to the Canadian market.

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Key Features of SkipTheDishes

• Strong Canadian Coverage: SkipTheDishes operates in 450+ cities across Canada, including underserved suburban and rural areas, making it ideal for restaurants outside the big cities.
• Commission Fees: The commission structure ranges from 20% to 30%, with potential for lower rates for high-volume partners. This transparency in pricing can be crucial for restaurants that need predictable expenses.
• Canadian-Centric Support: The platform is designed specifically for Canadian restaurants, providing local customer support and insights into regional markets.
• Optimized Delivery Network: SkipTheDishes offers dedicated couriers trained to handle Canada's unique geography and weather challenges, ensuring faster and more reliable deliveries.

SkipTheDishes shines in Canada, but the differences in commission fees, support, and reach are key considerations when choosing between Grubhub and SkipTheDishes. 

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Let's now take a closer look at how these platforms compare in terms of key features.

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Comparison of Grubhub & SkipTheDishes

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Each platform has its strengths, but both Grubhub and SkipTheDishes come with significant trade-offs, especially when it comes to fees, customer relationships, and service delivery. 

So, is there a better alternative for restaurant owners in Canada and North America? 

Let's have a look at iOrders, a cost-effective alternative and see what it has to offer. 

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Grubhub vs SkipTheDishes: Is There a Better Alternative?

For small and medium-sized restaurants, quick service restaurants (QSRs), and ghost kitchens that are looking for a cost-effective solution without high commissions, the ideal alternative to Grubhub and SkipTheDishes is iOrders.

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iOrders offers a commission-free online ordering system that empowers restaurants to keep 100% of their revenue. With no third-party interference, restaurant owners can retain full control over customer data, their branding, and their delivery operations.

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Key Features of iOrders

• Commission-Free Online Ordering: Control the entire ordering experience with no third-party commissions.
• Website and QR Code Ordering: Streamlined order management through direct orders from websites or QR codes.
• Delivery-as-a-Service: Offer flexible payment options and commission-free delivery services.
• Managed Marketing Services: Deliver personalized messages and actionable insights for effective customer engagement.
• Loyalty and Rewards Programs: Build customer retention through targeted rewards and referral programs.
• Smart Campaigns: Use data-driven insights to engage with customers and increase their lifetime value proactively.
• AI-Powered Review System: Utilize AI to create personalized responses to FAQs, comments, and reviews in alignment with the brand.
• White-Label Mobile App: A Customizable app for customers to place dine-in, pickup, or delivery orders and pay seamlessly.

To fully understand why iOrders stands out as the best alternative, let's compare it side-by-side with Grubhub and SkipTheDishes to see how it offers more flexibility, better control, and greater profitability for restaurants.

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iOrders vs Grubhub & SkipTheDishes

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iOrders offers small and medium-sized restaurants, quick-service operations, and ghost kitchens a better way to manage online orders, avoid high fees, and enhance customer relationships. 

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Conclusion

After comparing Grubhub and SkipTheDishes, it's clear that both platforms have significant drawbacks, especially in their commission fees, lack of control over customer relationships, and long payment cycles. 

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For small and medium-sized restaurants, quick service restaurants (QSRs), and virtual kitchens in Canada and North America, iOrders offers the best alternative.

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With commission-free ordering, instant payments, and full control over customer data, iOrders is the perfect solution for restaurant owners looking to maximize profitability while minimizing operational complexity.

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Ready to break free from third-party delivery platforms and boost your profits? 

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Contact iOrders today for a free consultation on how our restaurant management services can transform your business in 2025.