Own Ordering System: 7 Restaurant Owners Report (2026)

The days when restaurants had to rely on Lieferando and similar platforms are over. More and more restaurant owners are taking the leap to their own ordering system – and for good reason. But how does such a switch really work? What does it cost? And what hurdles await?

We spoke with seven restaurant owners who took the plunge. Their experiences show: The switch pays off – but only if you do it right.

Why More and More Restaurants Are Switching to Their Own Ordering Systems

13-15% commission per order – these are the standard rates from Lieferando and other platforms. With an average order value of €25, you’re paying €3.25 to €3.75 per order. That sounds manageable at first, but it adds up tremendously.

Let’s do the math: With 800 orders per month, that’s between €2,600 and €3,000 in commissions – every month. That’s up to €36,000 per year going directly to the platform.

But costs are only one aspect. Much worse is the loss of control:

You don’t know your customers – the platform shields them from you
Pricing and communication go through third parties
Your regular customers become “platform customers”

A current study shows: 68% of customers prefer ordering directly from the restaurant when they have an easy way to do so. The problem? Many restaurants simply don’t offer this option or make it too complicated.

”Finally, Our Regular Customers Are Ours Again” - Experience from Restaurant Milano, Hamburg

Marco Rossi from Restaurant Milano in Hamburg puts it perfectly:

“For two years, we lost our best customers to Lieferando. They ordered there because it was convenient – but we had zero contact with them. That was frustrating.”

The starting situation: Milano had 300 orders per month through Lieferando, with an average order value of €28. That meant €1,260 monthly commission – just to Lieferando.

The transition process was bumpier than expected. “The first four weeks were tough,” Marco recalls. “Many regular customers didn’t know they could now order directly. We really had to advertise.”

The solution: A combination of WhatsApp notifications, flyers with every delivery, and 15% discount for the first direct order.

The results after 6 months:

450 orders per month through their own app
Cost savings: €1,800 monthly
Average order value increased to €31 (through personalized offers)
15% of customers order at least twice per month

“The best part is: I can now communicate directly with my guests. When Giuseppe has a birthday, he gets a personal voucher. You can’t do that through Lieferando.”

The First 3 Months: Honest Insights into the Transition Phase

Forget the fairy tales about “immediate success.” All restaurant owners we spoke with report an intensive adjustment period.

Month 1: The Reality Check

On average 20% fewer orders than before
Confusion among regular customers (“Where can I find you now?”)
Technical teething problems during setup

The 3 most common customer complaints:

“The app doesn’t work” (usually missing updates)
“I can’t find my favorite dishes” (different menu structure)
“Why can’t I pay with PayPal anymore?” (payment setup)

Month 2: First Improvement

Order numbers recover to 90% of original level
Staff gets used to the new system
First positive feedback on personalized offers

Month 3: The Breakthrough

15% more orders than before the switch
Higher order values through targeted upselling features
First regular customers actively promote the app

Tip: Plan at least 3 months transition time and communicate the switch to your customers 4-6 weeks in advance.

Cost Comparison: Own System vs. Delivery Platforms - A Sample Calculation

Let’s work with concrete numbers. Here’s a detailed cost comparison for a restaurant with 800 orders per month and an average order value of €26:

Cost Factor	Lieferando	Own System (GastroSystem)
Commission per order	€3.38 (13%)	€0
Monthly fixed costs	€0	€79
Setup costs	€0	€0 (free)
Marketing budget	€200	€150
Total costs/month	€2,904	€229
Savings/month	-	€2,675
Savings/year	-	€32,100

Hidden costs with third-party providers:

Service fees for card payments (additional 2-3%)
Premium placement in the app (€50-200/month)
Review management and support

Break-even point: With an own ordering system using a flat-rate model, the break-even point is at about 200 orders per month. Everything above that means cash in your pocket.

Three scenarios at a glance:

Small restaurant (200 orders/month):

Savings: €520/month
ROI: 12 months

Medium restaurant (500 orders/month):

Savings: €1,550/month
ROI: 6 months

Large restaurant (1000+ orders/month):

Savings: €3,200+/month
ROI: 3 months

”The App Was Ready Faster Than Expected” - Technology Experiences from a Restaurant Perspective

“I’m 58 and no digital native,” laughs Sandra Müller from Pizzeria Bella Vista in Cologne. “My biggest concern was: Can I even handle this technically?”

The most common fears before switching:

Weeks-long setup phase with revenue loss
Complicated integration into the POS system
Constant technical problems

The reality looks different:

Setup duration: “We were told it would take 4 weeks. After 10 days everything was finished and running,” reports Sandra. Modern providers like GastroSystem have automated the process to the point where most work happens in the background.

Integration into POS system: “That was my biggest concern. But our POS system was already compatible – we didn’t have to change anything.”

Technical problems in the first quarter:

Server overload on a Friday evening (solved through automatic scaling)
Incorrect delivery time display during high order volume (update after 2 days)
Payment problems with a specific bank card (solved provider-side)

“The most important thing: There was always immediate support. Not like with the big platforms where you wait 3 days for an answer.”

Maintenance effort: Practically zero after setup. “Just runs. Updates happen automatically, I don’t have to worry about anything.”

Marketing for Your Own App: What Really Works

The best app is useless if your customers don’t know about it. Here are the proven strategies from our restaurant owners:

What works:

1. Direct incentive (15% discount for first app order)

Conversion rate: 60%
Cost per acquired customer: €3.90

2. WhatsApp marketing

Open rate: 45%
Particularly effective for regular customer information

3. Flyers with every delivery

“Scan QR code and save 15%”
Conversion rate: 25%

4. Google Ads for local app downloads

Average CPC: €2.40
Particularly successful with keyword “order pizza [city name]”

5. Social media cross-promotion

Instagram Stories with “Swipe Up” to app
Facebook posts with app-exclusive offers

What doesn’t work:

Pure email campaigns (7% open rate)
Newspaper ads (not measurable, very expensive)
Radio advertising (too generic for app downloads)

The proven 8-point marketing checklist:

QR code on all menus and flyers
WhatsApp broadcast list for regular customers
Optimize Google My Business with app link
Instagram bio with direct app link
15% first-time customer discount as standard incentive
Word of mouth: train staff to mention app
Engage local Facebook groups
Cross-selling: mention app during phone orders

Insider tip: “The best marketing channel is satisfied customers,” says Marco from Milano. “If the service through the app is better than through Lieferando, it sells itself.”

Conclusion: When Is Switching to Your Own Ordering System Worth It?

After our conversations with seven restaurant owners, the picture is clear: An own ordering system is worth it starting at about 200 online orders per month. But the decision depends on more than just numbers.

You should switch if:

You have at least 200 orders per month through third-party platforms
You think long-term (ROI shows after 3-6 months)
You want control over your customer data
You’re ready to actively market your own system

You should wait if:

You have fewer than 150 orders per month
Your team is already overloaded
You don’t have resources for the 3-month transition period

ROI calculation over 12 months (500 orders/month):

Lieferando costs: €19,500/year (commissions) Own system costs: €948/year (flat rate) Net savings: €18,552 ROI: 1,956%

3-point checklist “Am I ready for my own system?”

Do I have at least 200 online orders per month?
Can I handle 3 months of transition with possibly fewer orders?
Am I ready to actively promote my own system?

If you answer “yes” to all three questions, the time has come.

The experiences of the seven restaurant owners show: The switch is challenging, but worth it. With proper preparation and a reliable partner, you not only save money but regain control over your business.

Ready for the next step? Get free consultation and find out how your own ordering system can also advance your restaurant. Without risk, without hidden costs – just honest numbers and concrete plans for your success.