December 18, 2025
A $48 delivery order comes in. The food goes out on time, and the customer is happy. A few days later, the payout lands, and the math feels off. Commissions, service fees, and promotions slowly erode the restaurant's net profit.
For many owners, this moment triggers a deeper review of how online orders are handled. As 2026 approaches, more restaurants are questioning whether traditional platforms still fit their goals.
This article explains what a restaurant aggregator alternative looks like today and why it matters. It also highlights ordering options worth reviewing before committing another year to high platform fees.
A restaurant aggregator alternative refers to any ordering approach that reduces reliance on third-party marketplaces while giving restaurants greater control over how orders flow. It does not require cutting ties with aggregators altogether. Instead, it focuses on reshaping how and where repeat orders are captured.
Many restaurants now treat aggregators as a discovery channel rather than the primary source of ongoing orders. The goal is to keep visibility while guiding returning guests toward branded ordering channels that offer better financial predictability.
In practice, this usually includes a mix of approaches, such as:
As ordering behavior continues to change, restaurants place more value on access to customer data and menu control. Emails, phone numbers, and order history support repeat visits and targeted promotions. Pricing control also matters, especially when food and labor costs fluctuate.
Knowing what a restaurant aggregator alternative offers, many owners are now reviewing current platforms to see how fees, data, and control affect their business.
Recommended: Omnichannel Restaurant Experience: Boost Profits and Cut Third-Party Fees.
Restaurants often take a closer look at aggregator agreements after reviewing monthly payouts and comparing them with actual sales volume. What appears profitable on the surface can look very different once fees, timing, and limitations are fully accounted for.
Several factors are driving this reassessment.
Together, these factors explain why many restaurants are reassessing how much control they want to give up in exchange for order volume.
When reviewing aggregator performance, many restaurants focus on order volume and average ticket size. What matters more is the difference between the gross order value and what actually reaches the bank account after fees.
Gross order value shows what the guest paid. Net order value shows what the restaurant keeps after commissions and service charges. That gap often explains why high delivery volume does not always improve margins.
Here is a simple example.
In this case, 30% of the order value goes to platform-related costs before food, labor, and packaging are covered. Higher order volume does not always mean higher profit.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Cross-Platform App Development vs Native.
Before comparing platforms, restaurants need clarity on what actually supports growth and long-term stability. An effective aggregator alternative should improve control without adding complexity to daily workflows.
When evaluating options, restaurants should prioritize the following criteria.
Together, these factors help restaurants build a more reliable and scalable ordering strategy.
Also Read: Top 7 Commission-Free Restaurant Online Ordering Software in 2026.
Restaurants rarely choose between aggregators and direct ordering in isolation. Each plays a different role within a balanced ordering mix, especially when both reach and profitability matter.
Many restaurants use aggregators to attract first-time guests, then encourage repeat orders through their own branded channels. To support this approach, some operators rely on a commission-free ordering platform like iOrders to handle direct orders while continuing to use aggregators for reach.
The following platforms remain widely used by restaurants for delivery and online ordering. Each offers reach and convenience, but every option comes with trade-offs that restaurants should evaluate carefully before committing long term.
DoorDash remains one of the largest delivery platforms in North America, offering restaurants access to a broad customer base. While it drives visibility, its commission structure can impact profitability.
Grubhub is a well-established platform across major U.S. cities, making it a common choice for independent and regional restaurants. However, data and marketing restrictions can limit long-term customer engagement.
Postmates now operates within the Uber Eats ecosystem, combining delivery infrastructure and marketplace reach. While convenient for restaurants, fees and contract terms can impact profitability.
SkipTheDishes dominates the Canadian delivery market, especially in urban and mid-sized cities. Its structure makes it strong for reach, but commission fees can limit revenue per order.
Deliveroo is primarily active in select North American regions, offering a delivery-focused platform. While it provides strong logistics support, its fees and geographic coverage can be limiting.
After reviewing these platforms, many restaurants realize that aggregators help with visibility but offer limited control over margins and customer data. To balance reach with profitability, restaurants often add a restaurant aggregator alternative that supports direct ordering. One such option you can check is iOrders!
After evaluating aggregator limits, many restaurants choose a direct ordering platform to regain control over margins, customer relationships, and daily order flow. iOrders is built to support that shift without forcing restaurants to abandon aggregator reach entirely.
Together, these capabilities help restaurants build a more predictable, margin-friendly ordering strategy. Book a demo with iOrders to see it in action!
That weekly payout review tells a bigger story than order volume alone. As restaurants plan ahead, many are rethinking how much control they give up with every online order. Aggregators will likely remain part of the mix, especially for visibility, but relying on them for repeat business continues to strain margins and limit customer access.
Looking ahead, restaurants are placing greater value on predictable costs, direct relationships, and flexible delivery models. iOrders supports this shift by helping restaurants capture direct orders, keep branding intact, and manage delivery without commission pressure.
Connect with us for a demo to review how this approach fits your restaurant’s ordering strategy
1. Can a restaurant move customers to direct ordering without losing delivery volume?
Yes. Many restaurants gradually guide repeat customers to direct channels through receipts, packaging inserts, and loyalty incentives. Aggregators can still support discovery while direct ordering handles returning guests.
2. How long does it take to set up a direct ordering system?
Most restaurants can launch direct ordering within days, depending on menu size and POS setup. The key is staff training and clear customer communication during the transition period.
3. Do guests trust restaurant-owned ordering platforms?
Guests are comfortable ordering directly when the experience is simple and familiar. Clear branding, secure payments, and consistent service help build confidence quickly.
4. How do restaurants promote direct ordering without heavy discounts?
Many rely on loyalty points, exclusive menu items, or small perks instead of steep discounts. These incentives protect margins while encouraging repeat behavior.
5. What type of restaurants benefit most from a commission-free ordering setup?
Restaurants with frequent repeat customers, stable delivery demand, or multiple locations often see faster results. These models benefit most from owning customer data and controlling order flow through platforms like iOrders.
