Why food costs more on DoorDash and Uber Eats, and where the money goes

By the Nomback team, who build ordering apps for independent restaurants · Updated October 18, 2026 · Sources

Food costs more on DoorDash and Uber Eats because restaurants raise their app menu prices to cover a 15 to 30% commission, then the app adds a service fee and a delivery fee on top. Delivery menus averaged 19% above in-store prices across 25 chains in 2023, up from 10% in 2020 (Gordon Haskett). Worked through on one meal: food that costs $40 in the store becomes $47.60 on the app menu, plus a 15% service fee ($7.14) and a $3.99 delivery fee, for $58.73 before tax and tip. The restaurant keeps $35.70 of that after a 25% commission, which is less than the $38.54 it keeps when the same customer orders pickup direct and pays by card. So the customer pays $18.73 more and the restaurant still gets about $2.84 less.

Who sets the higher prices on delivery apps?

The restaurant does, not DoorDash or Uber Eats. Restaurants choose their app menu prices, and many raise them to make up for the commission. Gordon Haskett tracked 25 chains and found the average delivery premium was 19% in March 2023, nearly double the 10% it measured in July 2020. Chipotle and Chick-fil-A were at 30%, Wendy's at 29% and McDonald's at 27%, where a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese and 20-piece McNuggets cost $22.87 in the restaurant and $28.97 through DoorDash or Uber Eats (Food On Demand).

Does the menu markup go to DoorDash?

No, the markup goes to the restaurant, but the commission is charged on the marked-up price. On the Plus plan, 25% of $40 leaves the restaurant $30. Raising the menu 19% to $47.60 leaves it 75% of that, $35.70. The restaurant gains $5.70 while the customer pays $18.73 more, because most of the increase is the service fee, the delivery fee and commission on the higher price (DoorDash pricing).

What fees does DoorDash add for the customer?

DoorDash lists a service fee of 15% of the subtotal for most orders in markets where its newer fee structure hasn't rolled out, a delivery fee that varies by restaurant, and a small order fee on low subtotals (DoorDash Help). Delivery fees commonly run $1.99 to $5.99. Tax and tip come on top of all of it.

How much does the driver get from a delivery?

Tips go entirely to the driver, and the platform pays a base amount out of its share. DoorDash does not publish the per-order split, but its Q2 2025 earnings show it kept about 13.5% of order value as revenue after paying restaurants and drivers (DoorDash Q2 2025), which means much of the platform's share on a delivery is driver pay.

What is the cheapest way to order food from a restaurant?

Picking it up after ordering on the restaurant's own website, app or by phone. You pay the in-store price with no service or delivery fee, and the restaurant keeps about 96% of what you pay, losing only the roughly 3% card fee. LendingTree found delivery cost about 79.5% more than picking up the same meal once every fee was added (LendingTree via KJRH).

Are BOGO deals on delivery apps real discounts?

Often only partly. On Uber Eats, offers a restaurant runs are paid by the restaurant and Uber calculates its fee on the post-promotion amount (Uber). Because app menus are often priced higher than in store, a buy-one-get-one deal can cost close to what one item costs at the counter. Compare against the restaurant's own menu.

Where every dollar goes on the same $40 meal

Original Nomback calculation from each company's published pricing, October 2026. Same food in every row, before tax and tip. Restaurant on DoorDash Plus (25%). Direct orders pay Stripe's 2.9% + 30 cents.

How it's ordered	Customer pays	Restaurant gets	Share to restaurant
Pickup, ordered direct	$40.00	$38.54	96%
Delivery, ordered direct (DoorDash Drive $6.99 paid by customer)	$46.99	$38.34	82%
DoorDash delivery, store prices	$49.99	$30.00	60%
DoorDash delivery, 19% menu markup	$58.73	$35.70	61%

"Restaurant gets" is money in before food, labor and rent, not profit. Restaurants typically clear 3 to 5% profit (Toast), so a 25% commission is several times their margin. Run your own order through the commission calculator.

See it with your restaurant's name on it. Type the name into the 10 second demo and it turns into your own app. When you're ready, start your app.

Sources

Prices and fees were checked on October 18, 2026. They change, so check the source before you decide.