How to calculate the real margin per item across three delivery platforms.
Gross revenue from delivery platforms is smaller than what shows up in the POS. Here is how to calculate real earnings per item per channel, with a concrete example.
Published 28 March 2026
Commission is not a single number
Delivery platforms do not take a flat percentage. A standard pizza can have 25% commission, while a promotional item the same week takes 30% or more. New restaurants pay more until they hit a volume tier; established ones get different terms.
The first rule is to track nominal commission per platform and per item type, not a single number. Without that, every real-margin calculation is approximate, not accurate.
Selling prices differ across platforms
Platforms allow, or require, different selling prices for the same item. A 9 EUR margherita in the venue can be 10.50 EUR on platform A and 11 EUR on platform B because the venue tries to compensate for higher commission.
Consequence: the same pizza has three prices and after commission, three different margins. Without a system that splits this, the report adds up numbers that are not comparable.
A real calculation, by example
Margherita, food cost 2.10 EUR per portion. In-venue sale 9 EUR, margin 6.90 EUR net (excluding VAT for simplicity). Platform A: sale 10.50, commission 25%, net 7.88, margin 5.78. Platform B: sale 11, commission 27%, net 8.03, margin 5.93.
Difference between in-venue and platform is around 1 EUR per portion. Multiplied by monthly volume, the picture is clear: platforms bring volume, the venue brings margin.
How to decide whether to stay on every platform
Each platform has its own ratio of volume contribution to margin loss. If a platform delivers 8% of revenue but margin on those orders is 15% lower than in-venue, that can be defended as an acquisition channel.
If a platform delivers 3% of revenue and margin is 20% lower, it is worth considering removal. A system that calculates this gives you the decision, not the feeling.
Takeaway
Gross revenue from delivery platforms misleads you by 20-30% on real earnings. Splitting by channel with commissions and promotions is the difference between 'platforms keep us afloat' and 'platforms slow us down'.
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