Every Commission Tier Compared (2026)
Platforms offer multiple tiers based on what services you use. The right tier can save you thousands per month.
| Platform | Tier | Commission | What's Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deliveroo | Standard (Full Service) | 30–35% | Delivery, marketing, customer service, app listing | Default for new partners |
| Editions | 25% | Reduced rate in Deliveroo-owned kitchen hubs | London, Manchester, Birmingham hubs | |
| Pickup | 15% | Collection orders via app, no delivery | Customer collects from your kitchen | |
| Marketplace+ (Negotiated) | 20–28% | Customised rate for high-volume partners | 500+ orders/month, by negotiation | |
| Uber Eats | Standard (Full Service) | 25–30% | Delivery, marketing, app listing | Default for new partners |
| Lite (Reduced Marketing) | 15–20% | Delivery only, limited visibility in app | Lower ranking in search results | |
| Pickup | 15% | Collection orders via app | No delivery involved | |
| Self-Delivery | 15% | App listing + order management, you deliver | Use own drivers or Stuart/Gophr | |
| Just Eat | Standard (Full Service) | 20–25% | Delivery via Scoober fleet, marketing, listing | Scoober available in select cities |
| Connect (Order Only) | 14% | Order placement only, you handle delivery | Most common for existing takeaways | |
| Marketplace (Self-Delivery) | 14–18% | Listing + orders, own delivery fleet | Popular with kebab/pizza shops |
Rates are typical for 2026. Exact commission depends on your contract, location, and volume. All rates exclude VAT where applicable.
Real Cost Impact: £ Per Week
What commission actually costs you in GBP at different order volumes, assuming £20 average order value.
50 orders/week (£1,000/week gross)
| Platform & Rate | Commission Paid | Net Revenue | Net Per Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliveroo 30% | -£300 | £700 | £14.00 |
| Uber Eats 25% | -£250 | £750 | £15.00 |
| Just Eat 14% | -£140 | £860 | £17.20 |
| Direct orders (0%) | £0 | £1,000 | £20.00 |
100 orders/week (£2,000/week gross)
| Platform & Rate | Commission Paid | Net Revenue | Net Per Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliveroo 30% | -£600 | £1,400 | £14.00 |
| Uber Eats 25% | -£500 | £1,500 | £15.00 |
| Just Eat 14% | -£280 | £1,720 | £17.20 |
| Direct orders (0%) | £0 | £2,000 | £20.00 |
200 orders/week (£4,000/week gross)
| Platform & Rate | Commission Paid | Net Revenue | Net Per Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliveroo 30% | -£1,200 | £2,800 | £14.00 |
| Uber Eats 25% | -£1,000 | £3,000 | £15.00 |
| Just Eat 14% | -£560 | £3,440 | £17.20 |
| Direct orders (0%) | £0 | £4,000 | £20.00 |
Platform-by-Platform Review (2026)
Deliveroo
35% UK market share | AOV: £22–28 | Commission: 15–35%
Strengths
- Premium customer base with highest average order value
- Deliveroo Editions hubs in London, Manchester, Birmingham
- Strong brand — customers trust the platform for quality
- Excellent marketing tools and promotional options
- Best in Central London and affluent urban areas
Weaknesses
- Highest commission rates (30–35% standard)
- Most selective onboarding — food hygiene 4+ preferred
- Smaller customer base than Just Eat
- Weaker coverage outside major cities
- Competitive to get visibility without paid promotions
2026 updates: Deliveroo has expanded Editions to 3 new UK cities, launched a loyalty programme competing with Uber One, and introduced negotiable rates for operators doing 500+ orders/month.
Uber Eats
30% UK market share | AOV: £18–24 | Commission: 15–30%
Strengths
- Strong suburban and regional coverage outside London
- Uber One subscribers order 2–3x more frequently
- Lower commission than Deliveroo (25–30% vs 30–35%)
- Uber Direct option for white-label delivery on your own orders
- Self-delivery tier at just 15% commission
Weaknesses
- Variable driver quality and longer delivery times in some areas
- Customer support can be slow for restaurant partners
- Average order value (£18–24) lower than Deliveroo (£22–28)
- Highly competitive — harder to stand out without paid promotions
- Lite tier reduces your visibility significantly
2026 updates: Uber Eats has expanded Uber One to 2M+ UK subscribers, launched same-day grocery delivery partnerships, and introduced the self-delivery tier (15%) for operators who handle their own logistics.
Just Eat
35% UK market share | AOV: £16–22 | Commission: 14–25%
Strengths
- Largest UK customer base — dominant outside London
- Lowest commission rates (14% Connect tier)
- Easiest onboarding — least selective of the three
- Strong brand loyalty with older, habitual customers
- Connect tier lets you keep delivery in-house
Weaknesses
- Older customer demographic — less premium positioning
- Lower average order value than competitors
- Scoober delivery fleet only in select cities
- Website and app feel dated compared to Deliveroo/Uber Eats
- Less sophisticated restaurant analytics tools
2026 updates: Just Eat has expanded Scoober delivery to 5 more UK cities, launched a new restaurant partner dashboard, and introduced loyalty features to compete with Uber One and Deliveroo Plus.
Which Platform First?
If you can only start with one platform, choose based on your location, price point, and cuisine.
London / Premium Areas
Start with Deliveroo
Highest AOV (£22–28), premium customer base, Editions hubs available. Worth the 30–35% commission if your margins support it.
Best cuisines: Sushi, poke, premium burgers, healthy bowls, brunch concepts
Suburban / Regional Cities
Start with Uber Eats
Best suburban coverage, Uber One drives repeat orders, 15% self-delivery tier. Good balance of reach and cost.
Best cuisines: Indian, Chinese, pizza, chicken, American
Outside London / Value Brands
Start with Just Eat
Largest customer base outside London, 14% Connect tier, easiest to get listed. Unbeatable for volume at low margins.
Best cuisines: Kebab, pizza, fish & chips, meal deals, budget brands
Profit Per Order by Platform & AOV
How much profit you actually keep per order after food costs (30%) and commission. This shows why AOV and platform choice both matter.
| AOV | Deliveroo (30%) | Uber Eats (25%) | Just Eat (14%) | Direct (0%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £12 | -£0.40 | £0.20 | £1.52 | £4.80 |
| £16 | £1.20 | £2.00 | £3.56 | £7.60 |
| £20 | £2.80 | £3.80 | £5.60 | £10.40 |
| £25 | £4.75 | £6.00 | £8.15 | £14.00 |
| £30 | £6.70 | £8.20 | £10.70 | £17.60 |
Assumes 30% food cost + £1 packaging per order. Profit = AOV - food cost - packaging - commission. At £12 AOV with Deliveroo, you lose money on every order.
Multi-Platform Integration Tips
Running on multiple platforms requires good systems. Here's how successful dark kitchens manage it.
Multi-Platform Strategy
List on all three platforms initially, then optimise based on order data after 3 months
Menu Engineering
Create platform-specific menus — premium options for Deliveroo, value meals for Just Eat
Tablet Management
Use aggregator tools like Deliverect or Otter to manage all orders from one screen
Delivery Radius
Start with 2-3 mile radius, expand based on order times and food quality feedback
Order Aggregator Tools
Managing three tablets is chaotic. Aggregator tools consolidate all orders into one screen and can integrate directly with your POS system.
Deliverect
- All platforms on one tablet
- POS integration (Lightspeed, Square, etc.)
- Menu sync across platforms
- From £79/month
Otter (by Uber)
- Unified order management
- Analytics and reporting
- Auto-pause when busy
- From £50/month
Kitchen Technology Stack
Beyond delivery platforms, you need POS systems, payment processing, and possibly your own delivery logistics.
POS Systems for Dark Kitchens
Square
- Free POS app
- Works on iPad
- Online ordering
- All delivery platform integrations
Best for: Startups, simple operations
Visit Square →Lightspeed Restaurant
- Advanced reporting
- Table management
- Inventory tracking
- Deliverect integration
Best for: Growing operations, multi-site
Visit Lightspeed Restaurant →Toast
- Kitchen display system
- Payroll built-in
- Online ordering
- Strong delivery integration
Best for: US-style operations, high volume
Visit Toast →Epos Now
- UK-based support
- Hardware included options
- Accounting integrations
- Multi-location
Best for: UK businesses, budget-conscious
Visit Epos Now →Payment Gateways
For direct orders, collection, and catering — platform orders handle payment automatically.
Stripe
- Instant setup
- Works with any POS
- Excellent API
- Terminal hardware available
SumUp
- No monthly fees
- Portable card reader
- Simple pricing
- Good for market traders
Zettle (PayPal)
- PayPal integration
- Free POS app
- Next-day settlement
- Invoicing included
Last-Mile Delivery (Direct Orders)
Take orders through your own website and outsource delivery — avoid 25-35% platform commissions.
Stuart
- On-demand couriers
- API integration
- Real-time tracking
- Used by Deliveroo/JustEat
Gophr
- Same-day delivery
- Temperature-controlled
- B2B focus
- Good for catering
Uber Direct
- Uber driver network
- Direct ordering only
- Avoid platform commissions
- White-label
Recommended Strategy by Stage
Month 1–3: Launch Phase
- • List on all three platforms to maximise discovery
- • Keep menus simple (10–15 items) to manage operations
- • Use platform promotions (free delivery, discounts) to build reviews
- • Track order volumes, prep times, and ratings by platform
Month 4–6: Optimisation Phase
- • Analyse which platform drives most profit (not just volume)
- • Invest in aggregator tool if managing 100+ orders/week
- • Tailor menus to platform demographics
- • Negotiate rates based on your volume data
Month 6+: Scale Phase
- • Consider dropping low-performing platforms
- • Launch additional virtual brands on winning platforms
- • Build direct ordering channel to reduce platform dependency
- • Explore Deliveroo Editions for expansion
Sarah Chen
Commercial Kitchen Consultant & Former Head Chef
Sarah Chen brings over 12 years of experience in commercial kitchen operations, having worked as Head Chef at multiple London restaurants before transitioning to kitchen consultancy. She specializes in helping food entrepreneurs optimize their kitchen setups and navigate commercial kitchen regulations.
Areas of Expertise
Credentials
- Level 4 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
- Former Head Chef at Michelin-rated restaurant
- 12+ years commercial kitchen experience
Delivery Platform FAQs
What are the best delivery platforms for dark kitchens in the UK?
The three major UK delivery platforms are Deliveroo (35% market share, premium positioning), Uber Eats (30% share, global reach), and Just Eat (35% share, lowest commissions). Most successful dark kitchens list on all three platforms and optimise based on order data. Deliveroo Editions offers purpose-built dark kitchen spaces in major cities.
How much commission do delivery platforms charge in 2026?
Commission rates by platform: Just Eat charges 14–25% (14% Connect for order-only, 20–25% full service with Scoober delivery). Uber Eats charges 15–30% (15% for self-delivery or pickup, 25–30% full service). Deliveroo charges 15–35% (15% pickup, 25% Editions, 30–35% standard full service). Rates are negotiable after 500+ orders/month.
Can I use multiple delivery platforms from one dark kitchen?
Yes, most dark kitchens use all three major platforms (Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat). Use aggregator tools like Deliverect, Otter, or Hubrise to manage orders from all platforms on one tablet. This typically costs £50-150/month but significantly improves efficiency.
How do I get listed on Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat?
Apply through each platform's restaurant partner website. You'll need: food business registration, food hygiene rating (ideally 4+), public liability insurance, and a commercial kitchen address. Application typically takes 1-3 weeks. Deliveroo is most selective; Just Eat is most accessible.
Which delivery platform has the highest order value?
Deliveroo typically has the highest average order value (£22-28), followed by Uber Eats (£18-24), then Just Eat (£16-22). Deliveroo attracts more premium customers willing to pay higher prices. Consider this when setting your pricing strategy for each platform.
What is Deliveroo Editions?
Deliveroo Editions are purpose-built dark kitchen hubs operated by Deliveroo in high-demand areas. You rent a space (typically £1,500-3,500/month) and get prime positioning in the app, marketing support, and prime delivery coverage. Available in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and expanding to other cities.
How do I reduce delivery platform commission fees?
Negotiate based on volume (500+ orders/month), offer collection/pickup options (14-15% commission vs 25-35%), use platform marketing tools for preferential rates, and consider platform-specific lite plans with lower marketing features. Building direct ordering capability can also offset platform fees.
Should I have different menus on different platforms?
Yes, menu engineering by platform is recommended. Deliveroo customers accept higher prices, so emphasise premium items. Just Eat customers are more value-conscious, so highlight meal deals. Uber Eats sits in the middle. Track performance by platform and adjust accordingly.
What are the best POS systems for dark kitchens in the UK?
Top POS systems for UK dark kitchens: Square (free, great for startups), Epos Now (from £25/month, UK-based), Lightspeed (from £59/month, advanced features), and Toast (from £69/month, kitchen displays). All integrate with delivery platforms via aggregators like Deliverect. Choose based on volume and feature needs.
What payment gateways do UK dark kitchens use?
Popular payment solutions: Stripe (1.4% + 20p, excellent API), SumUp (1.69% flat, no monthly fees), and Zettle (1.75%, PayPal integration). For delivery orders, payments go through platform apps. You only need payment processing for direct orders, collection, and catering — where Stripe or SumUp are most common.
Which logistics companies do last-mile delivery for dark kitchens?
For direct orders outside delivery apps: Stuart (from £4.50/delivery, used by Deliveroo), Gophr (from £5, temperature-controlled), and Uber Direct (from £3.99, white-label). These let you take orders through your own website while outsourcing delivery, avoiding 25-35% platform commissions.
Which delivery platform should I start with?
Start with all three for maximum discovery, but if you must choose one: Deliveroo in London and premium areas (highest AOV), Just Eat outside London and for value brands (largest customer base, lowest commission), or Uber Eats for suburban coverage and mid-range pricing. After 3 months, analyse which platform drives the most profit (not just volume) and focus investment there.