Restaurants say they have no choice but to pass on fees charged by big food courier apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, which often take around 30% of the order price. This means consumers frequently pay higher prices—sometimes almost a third more—on takeaway menus, in addition to service and delivery fees.
Examples include a fish and chip shop in St Andrews charging £11.20 for haddock, chips and lemon in-store, but £14.40 via Deliveroo, to offset a 29% fee. In south London, a cafe owner charges £3.90 for a cappuccino on delivery apps versus £3.10 in-store, and £6.50 for a toasted sandwich compared to £4.90, a 30% markup.
Delivery app usage surged during lockdown, with Deliveroo doubling orders in the first half of last year versus 2020. Customers typically pay a delivery fee and a service fee: Uber Eats charges 10% (min 99p, max £2.99), Deliveroo 5% (min 99p, max £2.49), and Just Eat 5% (min 50p, max £1.99). Delivery fees vary by distance.
Some restaurateurs raise menu prices by around 20% to compensate. For instance, a north London bar and grill charges £11.95 for chicken biryani in-store, but £15.30 on Uber Eats, plus fees, totaling £18.12. The owner says paying 30% commission makes it a “costly marketing exercise” without price increases.
Not all restaurants inflate prices, especially large chains where dish prices are well-known. But many customers are willing to pay more for convenience, a trend that accelerated during lockdowns. Commission rates vary depending on the service type, and Deliveroo encourages restaurants to set the same menu prices as in-store.
