Set Up Your Own Ordering System in 5 Steps

TL;DR: Setting up your own ordering system with GastroSystem takes 2–4 hours, requires no technical background, and eliminates 13–30% commission on every order. The five steps are: build your menu, configure delivery zones, set up payments, customize your brand, and connect the kitchen. After that, you focus on reaching customers.

Why Your Own Ordering System?

Before the practical steps, the core reasons restaurants make this move:

• No commissions: Instead of paying 13–30% to Lieferando on every order, you pay a fixed monthly fee
• Full control: Over prices, promotions, customer data, and brand presentation
• Customer retention: You own the relationship — direct contact, push notifications, loyalty programs
• Independence: No reliance on platform algorithms deciding your visibility

The cost savings alone are reason enough for most operations. With EUR 10,000 in monthly revenue via Lieferando, a 30% commission is EUR 3,000 per month — EUR 36,000 per year. Your own system costs EUR 299 per month flat.

Step 1: Build Your Menu

The menu is the core of your ordering system. In GastroSystem’s dashboard, you build your digital menu directly — no technical help needed.

Categories: Organize your menu into logical sections — starters, mains, desserts, drinks. Follow the same structure your printed menu uses, so regular customers orient immediately.

Products: For each item, enter the name, description, price, and optionally a photo. Good photos consistently increase conversion rates — smartphone shots in natural light are sufficient to start.

Extras and variants: Configure option groups for add-ons like “extra cheese (+EUR 1.50)” or size selections (small / medium / large). These are attached per product and appear automatically in the customer’s order flow.

Allergen labeling: EU food information regulation (EU FIC 1169/2011) requires the 14 major allergens to be disclosed. GastroSystem displays them automatically on the ordering page and on printed receipts.

Time-based scheduling: Breakfast items available only until 11am? Lunch menu on weekdays only? Products and entire categories can be scheduled to appear and disappear automatically.

Step 2: Configure Delivery Zones and Hours

Delivery zones: Draw the areas on a map where you deliver. Each zone can have its own minimum order value and delivery fee. This lets you charge more for distant areas or set a higher minimum to make remote deliveries worthwhile.

Opening hours: Set your ordering hours independently of your physical opening hours. Closed Mondays? Pickup only on Tuesday evenings? Everything is configurable per day and per service type.

Delivery time estimates: Define the expected delivery time. The system adjusts automatically when order volume spikes — customers always see a realistic estimate.

Pre-orders: Optionally allow customers to place orders for future dates. Useful for catering, office lunch groups, or customers who plan ahead.

Step 3: Set Up Payment Methods

Flexible payment options are critical for conversion. GastroSystem supports the most common payment methods:

• Online payment: PayPal, credit card, instant bank transfer
• Cash on delivery: At the door or at pickup
• Card on delivery: Courier carries a mobile card reader

Setting up online payments takes a few minutes — connect your PayPal business account or configure a payment provider. Funds land directly in your bank account, with no platform as an intermediary.

Transaction fees (PayPal ~2.49%, credit card ~1.4%) apply to any system including Lieferando. The difference is that with your own system, no commission stacks on top.

Step 4: Customize Design and Branding

Your ordering system should feel like your restaurant, not like a generic platform:

Logo and colors: Upload your logo and select the colors that match your restaurant’s identity. The entire customer-facing interface reflects your brand.

Own domain: Connect a domain like order.my-restaurant.com to your ordering system. This reinforces trust and keeps your brand front and center.

Photos: High-quality food photos increase orders. You don’t need a professional shoot — well-lit smartphone photos work well as a starting point.

Copy: Welcome message, allergen notes, delivery information — all editable. Write in your restaurant’s voice.

Step 5: Connect the Kitchen

This is where the ordering loop closes.

GastroSystem app: The app on a tablet shows new orders in real time. A single tap confirms the order and sets the expected delivery or pickup time. Staff get a familiar, simple interface without training overhead.

Receipt printer: Connect an Epson thermal printer so orders print automatically as kitchen tickets — the same workflow as Lieferando, without the commission.

POS integration: GastroSystem works as a full POS system. Online orders and on-site orders run through the same system, with a single daily Z-report covering everything.

Status updates: Customers receive automatic push notifications when their order is confirmed and when it’s on the way. No manual status updates needed.

Getting Customers to Your Ordering System

The system is ready — now customers need to discover it:

QR codes: Print QR codes for flyers, table displays, menu cards, and delivery packaging. Customers scan and land directly on your ordering page.

Social media: Post your order link on Instagram, Facebook, and Google. A short “order directly from us” post reaches your existing followers immediately.

Google Business Profile: Add your ordering link as an “Order” button. This surfaces directly in Google search results for your restaurant name.

Existing customers: Include a flyer with your next Lieferando deliveries letting customers know they can order directly going forward.

Introductory offer: A first-direct-order discount makes the switch more attractive and turns a curious visitor into a repeat direct customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need technical skills? No. GastroSystem is designed so you can set up everything yourself — no programming, no developers.

How long does setup take? Most restaurants are live in 2–4 hours. Menu import, delivery zone configuration, payment setup — then you’re taking orders.

Can I keep Lieferando running in parallel? Yes. Many restaurants run both channels simultaneously and shift orders to their own system gradually as direct customers build up.

What does GastroSystem cost? EUR 299 net per month, no commissions. All features are included. Details on the pricing page.

Conclusion

Setting up your own ordering system is not an IT project. With GastroSystem you need no developers, no agency, and no months of planning. In a few hours you have a professional ordering system that delivers a seamless experience for your customers — and saves thousands in commissions every year.

Start with a free demo and see it for yourself.