The Online Ordering Revenue Opportunity
Adding online ordering opens a new sales channel. The reason is simple: ordering online makes it easy to order again, and customers who order directly from you are more likely to become regulars. According to the National Restaurant Association (Off-Premises Restaurant Trends 2025), 47% of adults pick up takeout at least once a week and 37% order delivery once a week. If your restaurant is not online, you are leaving money on the table — literally.
Menu Optimization for Higher Order Values
Your online menu is not just a list of dishes — it is a sales tool. Place your highest-margin items at the top. Use professional photos (dishes with photos tend to get more orders). Create combo deals that increase average order value. Add upsell suggestions like drinks, sides, and desserts at checkout. These tactics help raise your average order value.
Own Your Delivery vs Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps like Uber Eats charge 20-30% commission per delivery order in the U.S., depending on the plan. On a $50 order, that is $10-$15 going to the platform — not your restaurant. With your own ordering system, you keep 100% of the revenue. A restaurant doing 30 orders/day of $50 on Uber Eats at 25% commission pays $11,250/month in fees. Switching to a flat-fee platform like Bite2u ($49.95/month) saves over $11,000/month.
Customer Retention Strategies
Getting a new customer can cost 5 to 25 times more than keeping an existing one, according to Harvard Business Review. Use promotions strategically: offer a 10% discount on the second order to turn first-time customers into regulars. Create a loyalty program with points or stamps. Send personalized offers based on past orders. Well-planned promotions give customers a reason to come back.
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Step 1: Set up your online presence with a platform like Bite2u (Get started today, zero commissions). Step 2: Upload your menu with photos and optimized descriptions. Step 3: Enable delivery, takeaway, and dine-in ordering. Step 4: Create a launch promotion (free delivery on first order works great). Step 5: Share your ordering link on social media, Google Business, and in-store. Within 30 days, you will see measurable results.