How to Manage Delivery Apps Without Losing Track of Margins
Stop guessing if delivery orders are profitable. Learn to adjust pricing, track fees, and streamline prep so apps add revenue instead of eating it.
Who this is for
This guide is for owners tired of seeing sales go up while profit stays flat. It applies to sit-down spots, takeout counters, and ghost kitchens relying on UberEats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. If you feel like you're working for the app instead of yourself, this is your fix.
What you'll need
You don't need expensive software to start. Gather these items before you begin.
- ✓ Login access to all delivery app dashboards
- ✓ Current food cost sheets for your top 10 items
- ✓ Records of packaging costs (bags, tape, inserts)
- ✓ A simple spreadsheet or POS reporting tool
Step-by-step playbook
Follow these steps to secure your margins on every order.
- ✓ Calculate the real fee: Add commission, processing, and marketing fees. It's often higher than the headline rate.
- ✓ Adjust menu prices on apps: Markup items 15-30% on delivery platforms to cover fees without touching dine-in prices.
- ✓ Track packaging costs per order: Log the cost of bags, napkins, and tape. Add this to your cost of goods sold.
- ✓ Separate prep lines for delivery vs. dine-in: Avoid bottlenecks by designating specific stations for app orders during rush.
- ✓ Review margin reports weekly: Don't wait until month-end. Check app profitability every Friday to catch issues early.
Common mistakes to avoid
These errors turn busy nights into financial losses.
- ✓ Running promotions on apps without calculating net profit after fees
- ✓ Ignoring packaging creep as order volume grows
- ✓ Treating app sales the same as dine-in sales in your P&L
- ✓ Letting drivers wait in the kitchen, slowing down your staff
Quick checklist
Run through this list before your next rush.
- ✓ Menu prices marked up on apps?
- ✓ Packaging costs logged per order?
- ✓ Fees calculated per order?
- ✓ Weekly margin review scheduled?
- ✓ Direct ordering link ready for customers?
Need a second set of eyes?
If the numbers look messy, let's clean them up. Book a free call with AES to review your tech stack and margin tracking. We help you keep more of what you earn.
Want help applying this to your real business?
The free guides help you do a lot on your own. If you want a faster path, AES can help you clean up the setup, remove the guesswork, and build the version that actually fits your business.
Book a free setup callRelated guides
See all guidesHow to Choose a Restaurant POS Without Overspending
Cut through sales pitches. Pick a POS that handles table service, takeout, and delivery without locking you into expensive contracts or hidden fees.
Read guide
How ToBuild a Restaurant Website That Gets Reservations and Takeout Orders
Stop losing customers to third-party apps. Build a site that puts your menu, booking, and ordering front and center on mobile devices.
Read guide
How ToHow to Create a Digital Menu Customers Can Actually Use on Their Phones
Stop losing orders to confusing PDFs. Learn how to build a mobile-friendly menu that works for dine-in QR codes and takeout browsing.
Read guide