Setting Up Online Ordering for Your New Orleans Restaurant

DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub charge 15-30% commission on every order. On a $50 order, that's $7.50-$15.00 going to the platform — not your kitchen.

A first-party ordering system on your own website costs $0-$200/month and you keep 100% of the revenue (minus standard credit card processing of 2.9% + $0.30). If you do $5,000/month in online orders, the difference between third-party and first-party is $750-$1,500 per month in your pocket.

This doesn't mean leave the apps entirely — they're good for discovery. But train your repeat customers to order directly through your website.

Square Online: Free to set up, integrates with Square POS, 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Best for small restaurants and cafes already using Square.

ChowNow: $149-$399/month, no commission fees, branded ordering experience. Best for restaurants doing $10,000+/month in online orders.

Toast: Part of the Toast POS ecosystem, competitive pricing, excellent kitchen display integration. Best for restaurants already using Toast POS.

Custom build (Social Hues): We integrate ordering directly into your website with your branding, your domain, and your customer data. Best for restaurants that want full control and brand consistency.

Your online menu isn't just a PDF — it's a sales tool. High-quality photos increase order values by 30%. Clear descriptions with allergen info reduce phone calls. Strategic item placement (high-margin items first) boosts profitability.

For New Orleans restaurants: include pronunciation guides for Cajun/Creole dishes. Nothing kills an online order faster than a customer who can't pronounce what they want and is too embarrassed to order it.

Include a prominent 'Order Online' button on your website and Google Business Profile. Add a QR code to your physical menus that links directly to your online ordering page.

Run a simple promotion: 'Order direct and get a free beignet/side/drink.' The small cost of the incentive is far less than the 15-30% commission you'd pay to a third-party app.

Train your staff to mention direct ordering: 'Next time, you can skip the line and order through our website — same food, same prices, and you'll get a free [item] on your first online order.'

Pickup is far more profitable than delivery. No driver costs, no delivery radius limitations, and food quality stays higher. Many New Orleans restaurants are pickup-only for direct orders and use third-party apps only for delivery.

If you want to offer delivery without the app commissions, consider a hybrid model: partner with a local delivery service like Waitr (which has strong NOLA presence) or hire your own drivers for a fixed delivery fee.