Let's do some math that might make you uncomfortable.
If your restaurant is generating $30,000 a month through DoorDash—and you're paying a 27% commission—you're handing $8,100 every month to a delivery platform. That's $97,200 a year going to DoorDash instead of to your business.
For that same $97,200, you could hire two full-time employees, renovate your dining room, or run a full year of customer acquisition. Instead, it's going to a platform that also shows your competitors right next to your listing—and controls the customer relationship you worked so hard to build.
The alternative? A first-party mobile ordering app connected to your Square POS.
What Is First-Party Mobile Ordering?
First-party ordering means customers order directly through your branded app—not through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. You own the app. You own the customer relationship. You keep 100% of the revenue.
Orda makes this possible for any Square merchant in minutes. Your branded iOS and Android app syncs directly with Square, processes payments through Square, and routes orders straight to your kitchen—no middlemen, no commission fees.
The Numbers Side by Side
| Channel | Monthly Revenue | Commission | You Keep | |---|---|---|---| | DoorDash (27%) | $30,000 | $8,100 | $21,900 | | Uber Eats (30%) | $30,000 | $9,000 | $21,000 | | Orda First-Party | $30,000 | $0 | $30,000 |
The difference is stark. And as your volume grows, the savings compound dramatically.
"But Won't I Lose Customers Without DoorDash?"
This is the most common objection—and it's understandable. DoorDash brings discoverability. New customers find you on the platform. That part is real.
But here's what's also real: your regulars are already loyal. The customer who orders from you three times a week discovered you months ago. They're not on DoorDash looking for you—they're ordering from habit. And habit is exactly what a branded app builds.
Orda gives you the tools to make the switch painless:
- Push notifications — remind customers your app exists, every week, for free
- In-app loyalty and points — reward repeat orders directly inside your app, synced with Square Loyalty
- Exclusive app-only discounts — give customers a compelling reason to switch channels
- Preloaded gift cards — customers who load a balance on your app have already committed to returning
Many Orda merchants offer a one-time "Download our app, get 20% off your first order" promotion. At $5–$8 in actual cost to acquire a customer whose lifetime value is $600+, it's one of the best investments a restaurant can make.
DoorDash Isn't Going Away—But Your Dependency Can
You don't have to choose between DoorDash and your own app. The smartest Square merchants use both—strategically.
Use DoorDash for customer acquisition: new customers who discover you on the marketplace.
Use Orda for customer retention: your regulars who order 3–4 times a week. These are exactly the orders you should not be paying 30% on.
The strategy is simple: when a DoorDash customer becomes a regular, convert them. A note in the bag. A QR code on the receipt. A sign at the counter. "Order direct through our app—same menu, same price, and you'll earn loyalty points."
A Real Example: Coffee Shop Chain, 4 Locations
Here's a real scenario from Orda merchants. A coffee chain in Texas with 4 locations had 60% of digital orders flowing through third-party apps, paying an average 25% commission—roughly $4,200/month.
After launching their branded Orda app and running a 6-week "Switch to our app" campaign:
- 70% of digital orders now go through their first-party app
- Monthly commission cost dropped to ~$1,050
- Monthly savings: $3,150 — over $37,800 per year
That money went back into their business. New equipment. Staff bonuses. A marketing budget they actually control.
Getting Started Is Simpler Than You Think
Setting up first-party ordering with Orda takes less time than your next DoorDash payout dispute:
- Sign up at getorda.com with your Square account
- Orda syncs your full menu automatically—no manual entry
- Your branded app goes live in the App Store and Google Play within days
- Start promoting your app to existing customers with Orda's built-in marketing tools
The sooner you start, the sooner you stop paying commissions on orders from people who already love your brand.
Ready to keep more of what you earn? Build your first-party ordering app with Orda today.
