— For the restaurant owner, CFO, or channel leader
How can a restaurant compare DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub economics without relying on commission alone?
How to compare profit by delivery platform
Use the same stores and time period for every platform. Start with eligible food sales, then subtract platform commission and fees, restaurant-funded marketing and promotions, refunds or error charges, and other deductions. Add restaurant-held estimates for food, packaging, incremental labor, and delivery expense only when they can be applied consistently.
Show dollars and rates, volume, average order value, and contribution. Keep platform-funded discounts and pass-through taxes separate. The best platform is not automatically the one with the lowest fee rate; mix, volume, guest behavior, and operational burden can change the decision.
— What working formula does this answer use?
Estimated channel contribution = eligible sales − observed platform costs − restaurant-funded incentives − attributable fulfillment costs
— Field checks
- 01Normalize period, stores, and denominator.
- 02Separate every platform cost category.
- 03Add comparable restaurant-held fulfillment costs.
— Evidence to keep
- • Finalized platform statements
- • Comparable store and period scope
- • Restaurant cost assumptions with sources
Sources checked August 21, 2026. Independent operational guidance—not marketplace-endorsed legal, tax, or accounting advice. Read the evidence and corrections standard.