Why takeaways need their own online ordering system

Introduction

Online food orders aren’t going anywhere. Customers expect to order and pay online — and if you’re not offering that option, you’re already behind.

For many takeaways, the easiest way to get online has been to join platforms like JustEat, Uber Eats or Deliveroo. These services are popular and convenient — but they come with strings attached.

You hand over up to 30% of your income.
You lose control over your brand.
And you never see your customer again.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to give up all that just to take online orders.

In this post, we’ll break down the key benefits of having your own branded ordering system — one where you stay in control, keep more of your revenue, and deliver a better experience for your customers.

The Problem with Third-Party Aggregators

Third-party platforms like JustEat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo have made it easy for takeaways to start accepting online orders. But that convenience comes at a cost — and not just financial.

You lose up to 30% of every order
Commission rates can range from 15% to 35%, depending on your location, order volume, and promotional activity. That means a £20 order might leave you with just £14 — before you’ve even paid staff or suppliers.

Your brand gets buried
On aggregator platforms, your takeaway is just one logo in a long list. The app’s branding is front and centre — yours is reduced to a thumbnail and a few lines of text.

You don’t own the customer relationship
When someone orders through a third-party app, you don’t get their email, phone number, or any data that helps you build loyalty.

You’re stuck with their rules
Want to block same-day preorders? Limit delivery areas? You’re limited by what the platform allows — and that’s usually designed to benefit them, not you.

What You Gain with Your Own System

When you run your own branded ordering system, you're not just replacing third-party platforms — you're building something better. Here's what you gain:

Lower commission costs
Instead of giving up 30% on every order, you pay a fair, transparent rate. That means more of your income stays with your business — where it belongs.

Control over your brand
Your domain name. Your logo. Your menu. When customers order, they know it's your business — not just another listing on someone else’s app.

Real-time ordering and smart features
Orders appear instantly in your dashboard (and printer, if configured). You can set up smart time slots to spread orders out and avoid kitchen bottlenecks.

Access to customer details
You receive the customer’s name, phone number, and email with each order — useful for fulfilment and communication.

A smoother customer experience
Customers can easily browse your menu, choose collection or delivery, and even place orders in advance — all in a clean, mobile-friendly checkout flow.

Common Concerns (And Why They’re Outdated)

We get it — making changes to how you take orders can feel like a big step. Most of the concerns takeaway owners have are based on outdated assumptions. Here’s the reality:

“But I’m not technical…”
You don’t have to be. We handle the setup for you — including your menu, branding, and domain name. Once you're online, managing orders is simple, with everything in one place.

“Isn’t that expensive?”
There’s no setup fee. You only pay per order — and the commission is far lower than third-party platforms. That means you can start taking online orders without any upfront cost.

“I already use JustEat — won’t this replace it?”
Not at all. You can run Menu Dash alongside services like JustEat. Use Menu Dash for loyal customers and regulars, while still being visible on aggregator platforms.

“What if I get stuck?”
We’re here to help. You’ll have access to personal support to guide you through setup, updates, and questions.

See It in Action

Want to see how it actually works?

Try our chip shop demo to explore the customer journey from start to finish — just like your customers would.

At checkout, use the test card number 4000 0582 6000 0005, any future expiry date, and a valid UK postcode to complete a test order.

Curious how it looks from the takeaway side? Get in touch and we’ll walk you through how Menu Dash handles real-time orders, time slots, and menu updates.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to keep paying platforms just to serve your own customers.

With your own online ordering system, you stay in control — of your brand, your menu, and your profits. And best of all, it doesn't have to replace what you already use. Menu Dash can run alongside platforms like JustEat, giving you more flexibility and better margins for your regulars.

Even small takeaways can benefit from a setup like this — without any upfront cost, complicated tech, or commitment.

👉 Request your free setup or try the demo to see how it all works.