Your own delivery app: is it worth building one?

The commission problem

If you run a restaurant, fast-food spot, or any delivery business, you've probably felt the weight of platform commissions. Major delivery apps charge anywhere from 15% to 30% per order. On $30,000/month in revenue, that can mean $9,000 walking out the door.

The alternative: your own app

A custom delivery app (or PWA, which works like an app without needing the App Store) eliminates commissions entirely. The upfront investment is higher, but the return comes fast.

Running the numbers

Scenario: a restaurant doing $30,000/month in delivery.

With a third-party platform (30%): $9,000/month in commissions = $108,000/year.

With your own app: investment of $15,000 to $25,000 (one time) + $200 to $500/month in maintenance. First year total: $17,400 to $31,000.

First-year savings: $77,000 to $90,000.

The app pays for itself in 2 to 4 months.

What your own app needs

A digital menu with photos and categories. Shopping cart. Delivery radius-based shipping calculation. Online payment (credit card, digital wallets). Real-time order tracking. A management dashboard for you. Push notifications. Loyalty program.

The hard part

Having the app is half the equation. The other half is getting your customers to use it. You need QR codes on tables, a link in your Instagram bio, app-exclusive discounts, and consistent communication.

When it's NOT worth it

If you're doing less than $10,000/month in delivery, the app cost might not pay off yet. In that case, focus on growing through third-party platforms and migrate when the volume justifies it.

At Kodde

Our delivery apps are PWAs that work on any phone without installing anything. Menu, orders, tracking, and loyalty. All under your brand, zero commission.