Disclosure: This article is written by Shaun McManus, founder of SmartPubTools and creator of the Restaurant Console. All operational claims reflect genuine experience at Teal Farm Pub, Washington.
Which Delivery Platform Is Actually Most Profitable for UK Restaurants in 2026?
Key Takeaway: Deliveroo and Uber Eats take 30% commission (36% effective after VAT). Just Eat takes 14% (16.8% effective). Your own website costs 2%. On 100 orders/week at £22.50 the difference between Deliveroo and your own website is £32,760/year. This guide gives you the exact numbers for every platform.
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By Shaun McManus | Last Updated: May 2026
On a £22.50 Deliveroo order at 30% commission your restaurant keeps £15.75. On the same order through your own website at 2% you keep £22.05. Over 100 orders per week that is £32,760 per year difference. But the choice is not simply “own website vs platforms” — the platforms serve different purposes and have different cost structures. Here is the complete breakdown.
What Does Each Platform Actually Charge UK Restaurants?
Commission rates are only part of the story. Each platform also charges VAT on its commission, which operators frequently miss when calculating profitability.
| Platform | Commission % | VAT on commission | Effective rate | On £20 order | On £25 order | On £30 order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deliveroo | 30% | 20% on commission | ~36% | £12.80 | £16.00 | £19.20 |
| Uber Eats | 30% | 20% on commission | ~36% | £12.80 | £16.00 | £19.20 |
| Just Eat | 14% | 20% on commission | ~16.8% | £16.64 | £20.80 | £24.96 |
| Own website | ~2% | None (payment processing only) | ~2% | £19.60 | £24.50 | £29.40 |
VAT on commission explained: Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat all charge VAT on their commission fees. On a £22.50 Deliveroo order the commission is £6.75 plus VAT on that commission of £1.35 — making the total deduction £8.10, not £6.75. The effective rate is 36%, not 30%.
Annual Profit Difference Per Platform at Different Order Volumes
| Weekly orders (£22.50 avg) | Deliveroo/Uber keeps | Just Eat keeps | Own website keeps | Deliveroo vs own website (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 orders/week | £787.50 | £948.60 | £1,102.50 | £16,380/year |
| 100 orders/week | £1,575 | £1,897 | £2,205 | £32,760/year |
| 200 orders/week | £3,150 | £3,794 | £4,410 | £65,520/year |
When Are Delivery Platforms Worth Using?
Despite the high commission, delivery platforms serve a genuine purpose for many restaurants. The key is understanding when they add value versus when they cost you money.
Platforms make sense when: you are new and need customer acquisition without upfront marketing spend; your fixed costs are low and incremental orders are profitable even at 36%; you are testing delivery viability before investing in your own infrastructure; your area has high platform traffic and customers will not look elsewhere.
Own website makes sense when: you have repeat customers who already know you; delivery volumes exceed 50 orders per week; you want to control the customer relationship and data; you have the volume to justify a monthly delivery management subscription (typically £50-150/month).
At Teal Farm Pub we run a hybrid: platforms for new customer acquisition, own website for regulars. The key is tracking both so you know which channel is actually profitable week by week.
Deliveroo vs Uber Eats — Is There a Difference?
Commission rates are identical at 30% (36% effective). The difference is market reach. Deliveroo is stronger in city centres and food-focused areas. Uber Eats has broader geographic coverage and benefits from the Uber brand recognition. Just Eat tends to have a wider demographic reach in suburban and smaller town locations.
For most independent restaurants, being on both Deliveroo and Uber Eats simultaneously is viable — but requires careful margin management. If both platforms are generating 100+ orders per week combined, the case for investing in your own website becomes compelling.
How to Track All Four Platforms in One Place
Most operators track delivery revenue from each platform separately — either by logging into each dashboard individually or by looking at the weekly payment summaries. This creates a blind spot: you can see revenue per platform but not true net profit per platform after all deductions.
The Restaurant Console tracks Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat and your own website weekly — showing gross sales, commission deducted, VAT on commission, and true net revenue per platform. The Delivery Tracker module also calculates which channel is most profitable per order so you can make informed decisions about where to push customers.
For a deeper breakdown of each platform individually, see our guides on Deliveroo commission rates, Uber Eats commission rates, and Just Eat commission rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which delivery platform charges the least commission UK?
Just Eat has the lowest commission at 14% (approximately 16.8% effective after VAT on commission). Deliveroo and Uber Eats both charge 30% (approximately 36% effective). Your own website costs around 2% in payment processing fees.
Is Deliveroo or Uber Eats better for restaurants UK?
Commission rates are identical at 30% (36% effective). Deliveroo tends to be stronger in city centres and food-focused areas. Uber Eats has broader coverage and benefits from the Uber brand. Most operators run both to maximise reach.
How much does a restaurant own website cost for delivery?
Payment processing fees are typically 1.4-2.5%. You will also need a delivery management system (£50-150/month) and potentially a website. Total cost is far below platform commissions once you reach 50+ orders per week.
Do delivery platforms charge VAT on top of commission?
Yes. Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat all charge VAT on their commission fees. On a £22.50 Deliveroo order the commission is £6.75 plus £1.35 VAT — total deduction £8.10, effective rate 36% not 30%.
How do I compare my real profit across delivery platforms?
Track gross revenue per platform, commission deducted, VAT on commission, and any other fees. The Restaurant Console Delivery Tracker module does this automatically for all four platforms weekly.
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