TheDelivery apps usually cost more than ordering at the restaurant in two ways: higher menu prices, and fees at checkout. Enter both below to see the menu markup and the real difference between having food delivered and collecting it yourself.
- Menu markup
- +3.00
- +15.0%
- Fees
- 6.44
- + tip 3.00
- App order total
- 32.44
- Extra vs collecting
- +12.44
- +62.2%
Works in any currency. "Extra vs collecting" compares the whole app order, including fees and tip, with paying the in-store price yourself.
Why is delivery more expensive than eating in?
The first reason is commission. Delivery apps charge the restaurant a share of every order. In the US, DoorDash's plans take 15%, 25% or 30% of each delivered order, and Uber Eats charges between 20% and 30% after changes in 2026. A restaurant that pays 30% on a $20 order hands over $6, so many raise their app prices to cover it.
The second reason is the fees you pay at checkout. These are charged by the app, not the restaurant, and they sit on top of the menu prices. Not every restaurant marks up its app menu, but you'll almost always pay some fees for delivery.
The fees on a delivery order, explained
| Charge | Who sets it | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Menu markup | The restaurant | Covers the commission the app charges the restaurant |
| Delivery fee | The app | Getting the food to you; often rises with distance and demand |
| Service fee | The app | The app's own charge, usually a percentage of the order |
| Small-order fee | The app | Added when the order is below a minimum amount |
| Busy-time fee | The app | Charged at peak times on some apps |
| Tip | You | Usually goes to the driver |
Fee names and amounts vary by app, country and city. The app shows each one at checkout.
How to work out the real cost of a delivery order
Compare the whole app order with what you'd pay at the counter.
- Find the in-store price for the same items.
- Note the item subtotal in the app. The difference is the menu markup.
- Add the delivery fee, service fee, any other fees and the tip.
- Subtract the in-store price from the app total. That's what delivery costs you.
Here's an example with round numbers. Food that costs $20.00 in store is $23.00 in the app, a markup of $3.00 or 15%. Add a $2.99 delivery fee, a $3.45 service fee and a $3.00 tip, and the order comes to $32.44. That's $12.44 more than collecting it, or 62% on top of the in-store price. The menu markup is about a quarter of that; the rest is fees and the tip.
Is it cheaper to pick up?
Almost always. Collecting your order yourself removes the delivery fee, the service fee and the driver tip in one go. If you order through the restaurant's own app or website, or at the counter, you also avoid any delivery-only menu prices.
Delivery is still worth paying for sometimes, when you're short of time, or it's late or raining. The point is to know what it costs so you can decide.
How to pay less for delivery
- Order direct. Many chains run their own apps with the in-store menu and their own deals.
- Compare apps. The same restaurant can price its menu differently on different apps.
- Avoid small-order fees. Combine orders with friends so you pass the minimum.
- Think about a subscription if you order often. DashPass and Uber One usually cut delivery and service fees on eligible orders above a minimum, but they don't remove a restaurant's menu markup.
- Check the in-store price first. Look up the chain on TheManued before you order.
Where to find the in-store price
The fairest comparison is the price on the restaurant's own menu board or website. You can also look the chain up on TheManued. Every menu page shows where its prices came from and when we last checked them. Be aware that some of our prices come from delivery listings themselves, because not every chain publishes its menu online, so read the source note before treating a price as the in-store price.
Our country guides for the US, UK, Ireland and Australia each explain how delivery apps work there.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is food more expensive on delivery apps?
- Two reasons. Delivery apps charge restaurants a commission on each order, so many restaurants list higher prices in the app to cover it. Then the app adds its own delivery and service fees at checkout. Together, an app order can cost far more than the same food at the counter.
- How much do delivery apps charge restaurants?
- In the US, DoorDash's plans charge restaurants 15%, 25% or 30% of each delivered order. Uber Eats charges between 20% and 30% after changes in 2026. Commission rates differ by country, app and plan.
- What's the difference between a delivery fee and a service fee?
- The delivery fee pays for getting the food to you and often depends on distance and demand. The service fee is the app's own charge, usually a percentage of your order. Both are separate from any markup on the menu prices and from the tip.
- Is it cheaper to pick up my order?
- Usually, yes. Collecting your food avoids delivery and service fees and the driver tip. Ordering on the restaurant's own website or app, or at the counter, can also avoid the higher menu prices some restaurants set on delivery apps.
- Do restaurants charge the same prices on every app?
- Not always. Restaurants set their own delivery menu prices, and some keep them the same as in store while others raise them. Prices can also differ between apps for the same restaurant, so it's worth comparing.
- Are delivery subscriptions like DashPass or Uber One worth it?
- They can be if you order often. Subscriptions usually remove the delivery fee and cut service fees on eligible orders above a minimum amount. They don't change a restaurant's menu markup, so compare the menu prices too.
- How do I find the in-store price to compare?
- Check the menu on the restaurant's own website or in store, or look up the chain on TheManued. Each of our menu pages says where its prices came from, and some of our prices come from delivery listings, so check the source note on the page.
- How much should I tip a delivery driver?
- In the US, 15% to 20% of the order, or at least a few dollars, is typical. In the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, a delivery tip is optional. Our tip calculator covers tipping customs in 15 countries.