Ordering food online is a trend that will remain for a long time. But the newest trend people have switched to is ordering food directly from restaurant apps or websites.
Yes, 63% of people prefer ordering directly from a restaurant’s website rather than using third-party apps. So, restaurants with an online ordering system have a high potential of earning higher returns.
Recent studies (2024) show that 74% of diners now prefer ordering directly from restaurants, avoiding third-party fees. Meanwhile, contactless dining adoption has grown by 62%, making QR code menus and digital ordering the new normal for both dine-in and delivery services.
But what is an online ordering system, and why do your restaurants need one? Read the blog to find out.
As a food business owner, now is the best time to set up an online food ordering and delivery system for your restaurant. Setting up your restaurant’s exclusive food ordering app gives greater advantages over third-party delivery apps.
What is an online Food Ordering System?
A food ordering system is a software platform that enables restaurants, cafés, bakeries, cloud kitchens, and bars to accept and manage online orders through their own branded website, mobile app, or even QR code menus. Customers can browse digital menus, customize their orders, choose between takeaway, dine-in, or delivery, and pay securely with multiple payment modes.
Unlike marketplace aggregators that take 15% to 30% commissions on every order, a direct restaurant food ordering system lets you keep 100% of your revenue while improving operational efficiency. It provides you with a scalable, commission-free, and easy-to-manage platform that integrates directly with your existing workflows.
Dine-ins are no longer the only way to drive sales. By introducing an online food ordering system, you allow new and existing customers to browse menus and place orders from anywhere, anytime. This opens up opportunities for higher sales volumes, larger average orders, and better customer satisfaction.
Why does Your Restaurant need an Online Food Ordering System?
Online food ordering systems come with plenty of advantages for food business owners. In addition, customers nowadays prefer to order food directly from restaurant websites or mobile apps rather than through third-party mobile or websites.
Thus, restaurants can increase their food sales while enjoying the various advantages of online food ordering systems. It’s to avoid manual errors in order taking and deliveries. Look at the reasons for setting up a food ordering system in your restaurant-
Commission-free Orders:
Third-party services like Uber Eats , zomato, swiggy and Deliveroo charge up to 30% commission from restaurants on every order. Setting up your own SaaS online restaurant ordering system like Foodiv saves you from this commission and lets you keep your profits intact.
Receive larger orders:
Customers spend more when ordering online compared to dining in. The reason is that they feel more relaxed and can spend enough time browsing the digital menu.
Customised Menu:
Restaurant owners can customise the menu whenever they need. They can highlight special and high-revenue food items differently to attract customers’ attention. They can also offer contactless food ordering by offering a QR code menu. Customers can scan the QR code to get access to the menu, and they can place orders easily.
Know your customers:
With your online ordering tool system, you can gather and use valuable customer data. Personalised customer information helps business owners to deliver personalised services based on their food and taste choices.
Understand: Third-party vs. In-house Delivery System: Which Is better For Restaurant?
How Does an Online Food Ordering System Work?
A modern restaurant ordering system follows a simple five-step process.
Customer Browses Menu
Customers visit your restaurant’s website, app, or scan a QR code to view a fully interactive menu complete with photos, detailed descriptions, prices, and special offers.
Places Order & Makes Payment
They customize their order, add special instructions, apply coupon codes, and make secure payments through UPI, digital wallets, cards, or even cash on delivery.
Restaurant Dashboard Notification
The order instantly appears on your restaurant dashboard and integrates seamlessly with your POS or Kitchen Display System (KDS), ensuring no manual entry is needed.
Order Fulfillment & Delivery Dispatch
The kitchen prepares the order while the delivery team, either in-house or connected through integrated logistics partners, handles dispatch.
Real-Time Tracking & Updates
Customers receive live notifications on order preparation, pickup, and estimated delivery time, providing a smooth and transparent experience.
This workflow reduces manual errors, minimizes staff workload, and delivers a seamless experience for both restaurant staff and customers.
If you want to understand how restaurants manage online food orders efficiently, there are detailed breakdowns available that explain takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery management in depth.
Types of Online Food Ordering Solutions
Different businesses have different needs. Here are the main types:
Restaurant Website Ordering
A branded online ordering website with a custom domain, digital menu, and payment integration.
Mobile Ordering Apps
Native iOS and Android apps for regular customers who want an app-based experience.
QR Code Contactless Ordering
Dine-in customers scan a QR code to order directly from their table without waiting for staff.
Cloud Kitchen Platforms
Multi-brand delivery-only kitchens that manage multiple concepts from a single platform.
Marketplace Aggregators
Third-party platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Uber Eats (but with high commissions and limited data access).
For businesses operating multiple delivery brands, a cloud kitchen-focused food ordering system can handle multiple menus and concepts in one place.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Food Ordering System
How can you know which food ordering software best suits your restaurant business? You can consider these factors when choosing an ordering system.
The cost that suits your budget
If you can afford to pay up to a 30% fee for apps like UberEats and Swiggy, you can enjoy delivering food to hundreds of UberEats and Swiggy lovers. You can also create a customized food ordering system. But, if you don’t want to spend a fortune, you can go for a SaaS-based food ordering app.
Compatible with Devices
The food ordering system should be compatible with different platforms like iOS and Android. The app should also give a native experience across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. It extends a better customer experience.
Customization Options
The online food ordering system should allow customizations to make it personalized for your restaurant brand. You may want to offer some unique features to your customers to stand out.
User-Friendly Designs
The food delivery app should be user-friendly to let them easily search for their favorite dishes, check the prices, and place an order. An attractive menu lures users into ordering more than they desire.
Multiple Payment Options
Your food ordering system should support multiple payment modes to let users pay at their convenience. For instance, digital wallets, credit/debit cards, and cash on delivery.
Also Read: How to Start a Food Delivery Business in 2025?
How do I set up my Restaurant’s Online Ordering System With Foodiv?
Foodiv- the SaaS based online ordering system enables restaurant owners to establish their online food delivery business. The platform does not require any upfront cost or huge investment. All you have to pay is a minimal monthly subscription fee to enjoy the various perks of the food-ordering software.
But how to set up an online food ordering system for effortless order management and deliveries? It is absolutely easy with Foodiv.
All you have to do is share your food business requirements with us, and we will take care of the configuration, integrations, and account creation. We ensure that the software is compatible with your current workflows. With Foodiv, it’s super easy to update your digital menu and manage orders and promotions with the choice of customizations anytime.
Have a look at the Benefits of the Foodiv Restaurant Ordering System:
- QR-Based Menu
- Easy & Quick Setup
- Interactive UI & UX
- Contactless Ordering
- Multiple Payment Modes
- Multi-language
- Insightful Analytics
Emerging Trends in Food Ordering for 2025
Technology is shaping the future of food delivery and dine-in experiences.
- AI-powered personalization recommends dishes based on previous orders.
- Blockchain-based loyalty programs make reward points more transparent and secure.
- Voice ordering integrates with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant for hands-free convenience.
- Drone and autonomous deliveries are emerging as faster last-mile solutions.
- Sustainable menus highlight the environmental impact of meals for eco-conscious customers.
- Restaurants adopting these innovations are seeing up to 50% higher customer retention rates compared to those using traditional methods.
- Restaurants adopting these trends are seeing 25–50% higher retention rates than competitors.
How to Choose the Best Online Food Ordering Platform?
When selecting a platform, make sure it:
- Supports commission-free ordering
- Works for multi-outlet restaurants and cloud kitchens
- Integrates with POS, payments, and delivery partners
- Includes loyalty, marketing automation, and coupons
- Has real-time dashboards & reporting
- Offers fast onboarding without coding
💡 Example:
Foodiv is a commission-free platform that helps restaurants launch a fully branded ordering website and mobile app in just 24 hours. It integrates payments, QR menus, loyalty programs, and delivery—all in one place.
Conclusion
Are you ready to set up your own ordering system? We can make it easier for you to move or optimize your business online so you can serve more customers.
You’ll get an easy menu and store management, mobile ordering, multiple payment methods, online discounts, and offers to delight your customers with an on-demand food ordering system. So, get your restaurant business running efficiently and selling more in minutes with our SaaS-based online food ordering software at an affordable price.
Interested in Upgrading your Restaurant to an Online Food Ordering System?
Quick FAQs
What is the difference between a direct online food ordering system and aggregator apps?
Direct food ordering systems let you keep 100% of profits and own your customer data. Aggregators charge high commissions and control customer access.
How fast can I set it up?
With food ordering systems like Foodiv, you can go live with a website, app, and QR menu within 24 hours.
Can it handle multi-brand cloud kitchens?
Yes, new online food ordering systems support multiple outlets and brands under one dashboard.
