US Delivery App Pricing Guide (2026): DoorDash + Uber Eats Fee Math

Delivery apps can turn a 30 percent food cost into a 45 percent problem.

If your delivery menu uses the same prices as dine-in, platform fees can quietly erase margin.

This guide gives you a simple formula, fee snapshots from major US platforms, and a repeatable way to price delivery without guessing.

Quick Summary

• Platform fees are usually charged as a percent of the order subtotal
• Your delivery menu price should be higher than dine-in if you want the same margin
• The simplest method is to solve price from your target food cost percent
• Recheck delivery pricing monthly as costs move

Platform Fee Snapshot (US)

Public pricing pages show that major platforms use tiered commission models. Always verify your exact contract, but these published ranges are a useful starting point.

Notes:

• DoorDash lists delivery tiers at 15, 25, and 30 percent on Marketplace plans, and updated pickup commission to 6 percent for eligible US partners.
• Uber Eats lists tiered delivery pricing at 20, 25, and 30 percent with pickup at 7 percent when parity is validated (otherwise 10 percent).
• Grubhub lists marketing commission tiers, and notes that delivery fees may apply when using Grubhub delivery.

Use your actual statement numbers for final math.

The Delivery Pricing Formula (Simple)

Use one formula for every menu item.

Definitions:

• Food cost per dish (F) = ingredient cost for one serving
• Target food cost percent (T) = your target, for example 30 percent
• Packaging cost (P) = per-order packaging cost
• Effective fee rate (R) = commission plus any marketing or processing fees

Formula:

Delivery menu price = (F / T + P) / (1 - R)

This gives you the price that keeps your target food cost after delivery fees.

Step-by-Step Worksheet

1. Calculate food cost per dish (F)
2. Pick your target food cost percent (T)
3. Add packaging cost per order (P)
4. Add all platform fees to get an effective rate (R)
5. Solve price using the formula
6. Round to a clean menu price

Worked Example (US)

Scenario:

• Food cost per dish: $4.20
• Target food cost: 30 percent
• Packaging cost: $0.45
• Platform effective fee rate: 25 percent

Step 1:

F / T = 4.20 / 0.30 = 14.00

Step 2:

Delivery menu price = (14.00 + 0.45) / (1 - 0.25)
= 14.45 / 0.75
= 19.27

Round to $18.99 or $19.49.

If you kept the same $14.00 price as dine-in, your effective food cost would spike.

Quick Price Multiplier Table

If you want a fast rule of thumb, use a price multiplier based on fee rate.

This ignores packaging, so treat it as a starting point.

Add packaging costs after you do this quick check.

Pickup vs Delivery Pricing

Pickup fees are usually lower than delivery fees. This makes pickup a margin-safe channel if your menu prices are the same.

If your platform offers a pickup plan, calculate pickup pricing separately and compare the margin difference.

Sales Tax Note (US)

Sales tax is added at checkout in most jurisdictions, so pricing decisions should be based on pre-tax menu prices.

Your platform typically calculates tax after your menu price, so use the subtotal when checking food cost percent.

10-Minute Monthly Review

• Update ingredient costs for top 10 sellers
• Refresh packaging costs for delivery items
• Recompute effective fee rates by platform
• Reprice items that are 3 points above target
• Trim low-margin delivery-only items

Margin Fixes That Do Not Break Guest Trust

Use these levers in order:

1. Remove low-margin modifiers from delivery menu
2. Create delivery-only bundles with higher margin
3. Reduce portion size slightly if feasible
4. Raise delivery menu price as a last step

FAQ

Should delivery prices match dine-in prices?

Only if your margins can absorb the fees. If your food cost target is already tight, use a separate delivery price.

Do I need to add a packaging fee?

If packaging is a real cost, include it in your formula. A small per-order fee is often clearer than hidden price inflation.

How often should I update delivery prices?

Monthly if ingredients are volatile, or immediately after major supplier increases.

Related Guides

• Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs Grubhub Fees (2026)
• US Restaurant Menu Pricing Guide
• US Menu Pricing Calculator
• US Food Cost Calculator
• US Restaurant Sales Tax Pricing Guide
• Restaurant Labor Cost Percentage Guide
• Prime Cost Guide

Want This Done Automatically?

KitchenCost recalculates recipe costs, food cost percent, and pricing targets as your ingredient prices change.

If you want a faster way to protect margin, try KitchenCost.

Sources

• DoorDash - Marketplace partnership plans (US)
• DoorDash - New pickup pricing (6% update)
• Uber Eats - US pricing
• Grubhub - Pricing and fees
• Grubhub - Delivery and service fees FAQ