The Rising Importance of Online Ordering

Many restaurant owners first encounter online ordering through third-party delivery platforms. At the beginning, the extra orders feel like growth. Over time, however, new operational challenges start to appear.

Orders arrive from multiple platforms. Staff must check different tablets. Menu updates need to be made in several places. And every order comes with a commission that can reach 15–30%.

At some point, many operators begin asking a different question:

Should we launch our own web ordering system instead?

More than 60% of U.S. consumers now order food online at least once a week. For restaurants, having their own ordering channel can mean lower commission costs, stronger customer relationships, and better control over operations.

The real challenge is not whether to offer online ordering, but how to implement it without creating new operational headaches.

Two concerns come up repeatedly among restaurant operators:

• Setup complexity — where to start, what tools to use, and how everything connects

• Ongoing maintenance — keeping menus, payments, and orders running smoothly

The steps below outline a practical way to approach the setup process.