If you own a restaurant, you may have considered, “Why am I making less money on online orders than I used to?” In reality, a lot of restaurants are unintentionally losing money on each order, particularly when they use expensive POS systems like Toast and third-party delivery services.

In this article, we’ll explore how commission fees and POS costs affect your restaurant’s bottom line, and we’ll compare Toast vs Alternatives — including commission‑free ordering systems, low‑cost POS platforms, and full restaurant software solutions that help you keep more money per order.

Knowing the true cost of online ordering will help you make better decisions for long-term profitability, whether you own a multi-location restaurant in San Francisco or a small cafe in Los Angeles.

Why Restaurants Lose Money on Every Order

The situation of online ordering has changed significantly. Platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub have made ordering easier for customers, but they charge a 20-30% commission on each purchase. In addition to delivery commissions, many restaurants pay extra for third-party POS systems and monthly software fees.

Here’s how costs add up:

• Delivery App Commission (20–30%)
• POS Subscription Fees
• Payment Processing Fees
• Marketing/Listing Fees on Platforms

The result? What should be a profitable order becomes much less so — and in some cases even unprofitable.

Toast: A Popular System With Hidden Costs

Toast POS is widely used and offers a robust set of tools — but it isn’t always the most profitable option, especially for smaller restaurants. Here’s why:

Monthly Subscription Fees

Toast charges monthly subscription costs that can add up over time — especially when adding marketing, loyalty, and online ordering modules.

Commission and Processing Fees

Even if you use Toast for online orders, you often still pay processing fees and potential commissions.

Add‑On Costs

Features like loyalty programs, email marketing, and advanced reporting can cost extra — increasing your overall expenses.

When you combine these costs, you may be losing a significant portion of revenue on each plate you serve.

Alternatives That Keep More Money in Your Pocket

The good news is that restaurants don’t have to accept high fees as a cost of doing business. Several alternatives allow restaurants to keep more profit per order and build a stronger direct relationship with customers.

Let’s compare Toast with some of the best alternatives:

1. myRestro — Commission‑Free Ordering + Restaurant Management

Why it’s a strong alternative:

• Commission‑Free Ordering — you keep more revenue, with only 10% commission after the free trial for third‑party delivery.
• No Monthly Subscription Fee — pay once for lifetime access.
• Branded Restaurant Website with online ordering.
• Free Marketing Tools worth $7,500 (email, SMS, banners, coupons).
• Order and Table Management included.
• Integration with delivery and payment processors.

Best For: Small to multi‑location restaurants looking to replace Toast or avoid high monthly fees.

With myRestro, you keep more revenue per order, control your brand experience, and even access valuable customer data that third‑party platforms never share.

2. Square POS + Online Ordering

Square offers a popular POS system with optional online ordering integrated directly with payments.

Pros:

• No long‑term contracts
• Simple setup
• Good for small restaurants with straightforward needs

Cons:

• Online ordering features may require add‑ons
• Marketing tools are limited compared to alternatives

Best For restaurants already using Square for payments and looking to expand into online ordering without a high subscription fee.

3. GloriaFood — Free Online Ordering & Menu System

GloriaFood offers a free online ordering platform that lets restaurants manage online orders with a simple setup.

Pros:

• Free basic service
• Easy online menu integration
• Table booking features

Cons:

• Some tools require paid upgrades
• Limited built‑in marketing tools compared to myRestro

Good for small restaurants that want to reduce costs and start accepting online orders quickly.

Side‑By‑Side Cost Impact Comparison

Feature	Toast	Square	myRestro	GloriaFood
Subscription Fee	Yes	Optional	No	No
Commission on Orders	Yes	Processing Fees	0% (10% after trial)	No
Built‑in Marketing	Limited	Limited	Yes ($7,500 value)	Limited
Branded Website	No	Basic	Yes	Basic
Online Ordering	Yes	Optional	Yes	Yes
Customer Data Access	Limited	Limited	Full	Partial

As this table shows, alternatives like myRestro help restaurants retain more profit, build stronger customer relationships, and scale without the weight of recurring fees.

The Impact of Losing Money on Every Order

To understand just how big the impact can be, consider this example:

• Average order value: $60
• 30% commission on a third‑party delivery app: $18
• POS subscription + add‑ons: $80/month
• Monthly online orders: 300

Over time, the costs can easily reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars in lost profits — money that could be reinvested in marketing, staff, or quality ingredients.

Switching to a zero commission or low‑commission online ordering system significantly improves your bottom line.

Beyond Cost: Extra Benefits of Smart POS Alternatives

Choosing a better alternative isn’t just about cost savings. The right system also gives you:

Customer Data Ownership

Unlike third‑party apps, systems like myRestro give you full access to customer information — perfect for loyalty and remarketing campaigns.

Marketing Tools

You can create targeted campaigns using email, SMS, banners, and coupons — driving repeat business.

Operational Efficiency

Integrated order management, table booking, and reports help streamline your workflow and reduce errors.

Brand Control

Your ordering system should reflect your brand, not the brand of an app marketplace.

Final Verdict: Are You Losing Money on Every Order?

If your restaurant relies heavily on high‑commission apps or traditional POS systems like Toast without maximizing online ordering profitability, then the answer is likely yes — you are leaving money on the table.

The good news? You have better options.

Platforms like myRestro not only reduce costs, they also help you increase revenue, retain customers, and build a sustainable, profitable restaurant business.

Ready to Keep More Revenue on Every Order?

Stop paying unnecessary commissions and fees. Take control of your online ordering experience with myRestro — the commission‑free, all‑in‑one restaurant software that puts your profits first.

Phone: +1 (562) 366‑0646
Email: info@myrestro.io
Address: 18000 Pioneer Blvd, Suite #203, Artesia, CA 90701
Website: https://myrestro.io

Start your free trial today and discover how much money you could be saving on every order!