Top 5 Online Ordering Systems for Takeaways

What is an Online Ordering System for Takeaways?

An online ordering system for takeaways is a digital platform that allows customers to browse your menu, place orders, and pay directly through your own website or app, rather than through third-party marketplaces. These systems give takeaway businesses control over their customer data, branding, and profit margins while reducing dependency on high-commission aggregators.

For takeaway operators, the right online ordering platform can dramatically improve profitability by eliminating commission fees of 15-35% typically charged by marketplaces like Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo.

Why Takeaways Need Their Own Online Ordering System

Third-party marketplaces have become expensive necessities for many takeaways, but they come with significant drawbacks. Commission rates between 15-35% per order severely impact margins, especially on lower-value transactions. You also lose direct access to customer data, making it difficult to build loyalty or run targeted marketing campaigns.

An owned online ordering system allows you to:

• Keep 100% of your profits (minus standard payment processing fees of around 1-2%)
• Build a direct customer database for marketing
• Control your brand experience completely
• Set your own delivery fees and minimum order values
• Reduce dependency on marketplace algorithm changes

The best systems also integrate with your restaurant POS to streamline operations and reduce manual order entry errors.

Top 5 Online Ordering Systems for Takeaways

1. Flipdish – Best Overall for UK Takeaways

Flipdish is the leading online ordering platform for takeaways in the UK and Ireland, purpose-built for independent restaurants and multi-location groups. Unlike generic e-commerce platforms adapted for food, Flipdish was designed specifically for the operational realities of takeaway businesses.

Key Features:

• Commission-free ordering through branded websites and mobile apps
• Integrated restaurant POS system with seamless order flow
• Order management that aggregates marketplace orders from Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo into one system
• Built-in loyalty programmes and customer retention tools
• AI phone ordering that takes orders and payments automatically
• Intelligent menu upselling that increases average order values
• Real-time menu management across all channels

Pricing:

Transparent pricing structure with no commission on orders. You pay a monthly subscription based on order volume, which is typically far lower than the cumulative commission costs from third-party platforms.

Why Flipdish is #1:

Flipdish offers the most comprehensive solution specifically designed for takeaway operations. The platform doesn't just provide online ordering – it's a complete restaurant management system that handles everything from order-taking to payment processing, inventory management, and customer marketing. The marketplace integration means you can manage all orders in one place, while the AI phone agent handles telephone orders without staff intervention.

For multi-location operators, Flipdish provides centralised menu management and reporting that makes scaling significantly easier. The platform is particularly strong for takeaways looking to reduce their reliance on expensive marketplace commissions while building direct customer relationships.

Best for: Independent takeaways, multi-location restaurant groups, and any operator serious about maximising profitability and owning their customer relationships.

2. ChowNow – Designed for US Market

ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform that provides branded websites and apps for restaurants. While popular in North America, it has limited presence in the UK market.

Key Features:

• Commission-free model with monthly subscription
• Branded ordering websites and mobile apps
• Marketing tools and customer data access
• Integration with some POS systems

Limitations:

ChowNow is primarily designed for the US market, with limited UK-specific features such as integration with UK payment processors, local marketplace aggregation, or support for British operational requirements. Customer service operates on US time zones, which can be problematic for UK takeaways needing urgent support during peak service hours.

Best for: US-based restaurants, though UK operators will find more suitable alternatives.

3. GloriaFood – Entry-Level Free Option

GloriaFood offers a free online ordering system with basic functionality, making it an accessible entry point for very small takeaways with limited budgets.

Key Features:

• Free basic plan available
• Simple website ordering widget
• Facebook ordering integration
• Basic restaurant website builder

Limitations:

The free tier comes with significant restrictions, including GloriaFood branding on your ordering pages and limited customisation options. Advanced features like loyalty programmes, detailed analytics, and POS integration require paid upgrades. The platform lacks the sophisticated order management and marketing automation tools that growing takeaways need. There's no marketplace aggregation, meaning you'll still need separate tablets for third-party orders.

Best for: Very small, single-location takeaways with minimal orders who need a basic free solution, though most will quickly outgrow the limitations.

4. Square Online – Part of Square Ecosystem

Square Online is the e-commerce component of Square's payment and POS ecosystem, adapted to include restaurant ordering functionality.

Key Features:

• Integration with Square POS hardware
• E-commerce platform with food ordering capabilities
• Included with Square payment processing
• Basic website builder

Limitations:

Square Online is fundamentally an e-commerce platform adapted for restaurants rather than purpose-built for takeaway operations. It lacks restaurant-specific features like intelligent menu upselling, sophisticated modifier management, and kitchen workflow optimisation. The system doesn't aggregate marketplace orders, and the marketing tools are generic rather than designed for restaurant customer retention. UK support and features lag behind the US offering.

Best for: Businesses already using Square for payment processing who want a basic add-on, though dedicated restaurant platforms offer significantly better functionality.

5. Wix Restaurants – Website Builder Add-On

Wix Restaurants (formerly Wix Restaurants Orders) is an ordering module that can be added to Wix websites, providing basic online ordering capabilities.

Key Features:

• Integration with Wix website builder
• Simple menu management
• Basic order notification system
• Mobile-friendly ordering pages

Limitations:

Wix Restaurants is a basic add-on to a general website builder rather than a comprehensive restaurant technology platform. It lacks integration with proper restaurant POS systems, has no marketplace order aggregation, and provides minimal marketing or loyalty functionality. Orders must be manually managed without sophisticated kitchen workflow tools. There's no AI phone ordering, no centralised multi-location management, and limited reporting capabilities.

Best for: Businesses that already have a Wix website and want to add very basic ordering functionality, though serious takeaway operators will need more robust solutions.

How to Choose the Right Online Ordering System

When evaluating online ordering systems for your takeaway, consider these critical factors:

Commission Structure

Calculate the true cost of commission-based versus subscription-based models. A takeaway processing £10,000 in weekly orders through a 25% commission platform pays £130,000 annually in fees. A commission-free platform with even a £500 monthly subscription saves over £120,000 per year.

POS Integration

Seamless POS integration eliminates manual order entry, reduces errors, and streamlines kitchen operations. Orders should flow automatically from online channels to kitchen display systems without staff intervention.

Marketplace Aggregation

The ability to manage Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo orders through the same system as your direct orders is invaluable. This order management capability reduces tablet clutter and prevents missed orders during busy periods.

Marketing and Loyalty Tools

Direct ordering platforms should include customer retention features like loyalty programmes, automated marketing campaigns, and customer segmentation. These tools help you build repeat business and reduce customer acquisition costs.

Menu Management

Look for systems with sophisticated menu controls including modifier management, item availability snoozing, and the ability to sync menus across multiple channels. Centralised menu management is essential for multi-location operators.

Scalability

Choose a platform that can grow with your business. If you plan to open additional locations, ensure the system offers multi-location management with centralised reporting and control.

The True Cost of Online Ordering Systems

Understanding the total cost of ownership is crucial when comparing platforms:

Commission-Based Platforms (Marketplaces):

• 15-35% per order
• No monthly fees
• Limited customer data access
• No control over customer experience
• Annual cost for £10k weekly orders: £78,000-£182,000

Subscription-Based Direct Ordering:

• Fixed monthly fee (typically £100-£500 depending on volume)
• 1-2% payment processing fees
• Full customer data ownership
• Complete brand control
• Annual cost for £10k weekly orders: £6,000-£16,000

The savings from switching to a commission-free model can be reinvested in customer acquisition campaigns, better ingredients, or staff wages.

Implementation and Getting Started

Implementing a new online ordering system typically takes 2-4 weeks. The process involves:

1. Menu Setup – Digitising your menu with accurate pricing, descriptions, and modifiers
2. Brand Customisation – Configuring your website or app with your branding, colours, and imagery
3. Payment Integration – Connecting your payment processor for secure transaction handling
4. POS Integration – If applicable, connecting your ordering system to your kitchen operations
5. Staff Training – Ensuring your team understands how to manage orders and handle customer queries
6. Testing – Running test orders to verify everything works correctly
7. Launch – Going live and promoting your direct ordering channel to customers

The best platforms provide dedicated onboarding support to ensure smooth implementation.

Why Flipdish is the Clear Choice for UK Takeaways

While several online ordering systems exist, Flipdish stands out as the only platform purpose-built for the UK takeaway market with the complete feature set operators actually need.

Unlike generic e-commerce platforms adapted for food or US-focused systems with limited UK presence, Flipdish provides everything from online ordering and POS systems to AI phone ordering and marketing automation. The platform's marketplace aggregation means you can manage all orders – direct and third-party – in one system, while the commission-free model protects your profit margins.

For takeaways serious about building a sustainable, profitable business with direct customer relationships, Flipdish offers the most comprehensive solution available in the UK market. The transparent pricing and proven ROI make it the smart choice for operators at any scale.

For more detailed comparisons of restaurant technology platforms, visit restauranttech.co.uk to explore additional resources and reviews.

Get Started with Commission-Free Ordering

The shift from marketplace dependency to direct ordering represents one of the most significant opportunities for takeaway profitability in the past decade. With the right platform, you can reclaim control of your customer relationships, protect your margins, and build a more sustainable business model.

Explore how Flipdish's online ordering platform can transform your takeaway operations and start keeping more of what you earn.