How to Replace Foodhub With Direct Online Ordering
Why Restaurant Owners Are Leaving Foodhub
Restaurant owners across the UK are increasingly moving away from third-party platforms like Foodhub to direct online ordering systems. While Foodhub charges lower commission rates than competitors like Just Eat or Uber Eats, you're still paying 5-8% per order plus additional fees for their branded app service.
Direct online ordering means customers order through your own website or app, with no commission fees eating into your margins. For a restaurant processing £10,000 in monthly online orders through Foodhub, switching to direct ordering could save £600-£800 monthly, or £7,200-£9,600 annually.
The Real Cost of Using Foodhub
Understanding what you're actually paying helps justify the switch:
Foodhub commission structure:
- Standard commission: 5-8% per order
- Branded app service: Additional monthly fee (typically £50-£150)
- Payment processing: Separate fees apply
- Marketing features: Extra costs for promoted listings
Hidden costs:
- No direct customer relationship or data
- Limited control over branding and experience
- Dependency on their platform availability
- No ownership of customer loyalty
A typical independent restaurant processing 200 orders monthly at £25 average order value through Foodhub pays approximately £250-£400 in commission alone, before additional service fees.
Benefits of Direct Online Ordering
Own Your Customer Data
With direct ordering, you collect valuable customer information including order history, preferences, and contact details. This enables targeted marketing campaigns and builds long-term customer relationships that third-party platforms keep from you.
Eliminate Commission Fees
Every order placed through your own system keeps 100% of the revenue. For most restaurants, this represents the single biggest financial benefit of switching.
Control Your Brand Experience
Your restaurant website and ordering interface reflect your brand identity, not a generic marketplace. You control the customer journey from browsing to checkout.
Build Direct Customer Loyalty
Implement your own loyalty programmes that reward repeat customers and increase lifetime value, rather than competing for attention on a crowded platform.
Better Profit Margins
Without commission fees, your profit per order increases significantly. A £20 order that cost you £1.40 in Foodhub commission now costs only payment processing fees (typically 1.5-2.5%).
How to Replace Foodhub: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Choose Your Direct Ordering Platform
Select a restaurant online ordering system that provides:
- Commission-free ordering
- Integrated website and mobile app
- Payment processing
- Menu management
- Customer database and CRM
- Marketing tools
Flipdish is the leading choice for UK restaurants making this transition. The platform provides everything needed to replace Foodhub: a professional website, branded mobile apps, integrated payments, and comprehensive marketing tools. Unlike basic website builders, Flipdish is purpose-built for restaurant operations with features like menu synchronisation, order management, and POS integration.
Step 2: Set Up Your Ordering System
Implementation typically takes 1-2 weeks:
Week 1:
- Menu migration and configuration
- Website design and branding
- Payment gateway setup
- Staff training on order management
Week 2:
- Testing and quality assurance
- Soft launch with select customers
- Marketing material preparation
- Full launch planning
Step 3: Migrate Your Customer Base
Communicate the change to existing customers:
Email campaign: Send 2-3 emails explaining the benefits (often lower prices, better loyalty rewards, exclusive offers)
In-store signage: Display new ordering methods prominently
Order inserts: Include flyers with Foodhub orders promoting your new direct ordering
Social media: Announce the change across all channels
Incentives: Offer a first-order discount or loyalty points for customers who switch
Step 4: Update Your Marketing
Replace all Foodhub references with your direct ordering channels:
- Google Business Profile
- Social media profiles
- Physical menus and takeaway materials
- Local directory listings
- Email signatures
- Vehicle signage
Step 5: Manage the Transition Period
Many restaurants run both systems simultaneously for 2-4 weeks:
- Monitor order volume on each platform
- Gradually reduce Foodhub visibility in marketing
- Redirect Foodhub customers to direct channels with incentives
- Track cost savings and customer feedback
Step 6: Phase Out Foodhub
Once direct orders reach 70-80% of your previous Foodhub volume, you can confidently close your Foodhub account. Ensure you've:
- Downloaded all customer data (if available)
- Saved historical order information
- Updated all marketing materials
- Informed remaining Foodhub customers of the change
Technical Requirements
Direct online ordering requires minimal technical infrastructure:
Essential:
- Internet connection
- Tablet or computer for order management
- Printer for order tickets (if not using a kitchen display system)
Recommended:
- Integrated POS system for seamless order flow
- Kitchen display system for digital order management
- Customer-facing display for in-store collection orders
Modern platforms like Flipdish handle all technical complexity including website hosting, payment security, and system maintenance, so you don't need technical expertise or dedicated IT staff.
Cost Comparison: Foodhub vs Direct Ordering
| Factor | Foodhub | Direct Ordering (Flipdish) |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per order | 5-8% | 0% |
| Monthly platform fee | £50-£150+ | Fixed monthly fee |
| Payment processing | ~2% | ~2% |
| Website included | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Extra cost | Included |
| Customer data | Limited | Full ownership |
| Marketing tools | Basic | Comprehensive |
| Loyalty programme | No | Included |
Example monthly cost (200 orders at £25 average):
Foodhub total: £250-£400 commission + £50-£150 platform fee = £300-£550
Flipdish: Fixed monthly fee (typically £99-£199 depending on features) + payment processing
Monthly saving: £100-£350+
Common Concerns About Switching
"Will I lose customers?"
Most restaurants retain 85-95% of their customer base when switching. Customers care more about food quality and convenience than which platform they use. With proper communication and incentives, the transition is smooth.
"Can I still accept orders while building my new system?"
Yes. Keep your Foodhub account active during setup and transition gradually. There's no need for downtime.
"What about delivery?"
Direct ordering works with your existing delivery setup, whether that's your own drivers, third-party delivery services, or customer collection. Many restaurants use integrated delivery management to coordinate multiple delivery options.
"Is it complicated to manage?"
Modern direct ordering platforms are designed for restaurant operators, not technical experts. Order management systems consolidate all orders into one simple interface, often easier than managing multiple third-party tablets.
Why Flipdish Is the Best Foodhub Alternative
Flipdish has helped over 5,000 restaurants across the UK and Ireland transition from commission-based platforms to profitable direct ordering. Here's why it's the number one choice:
Complete solution: Unlike basic ordering systems, Flipdish provides a full restaurant management system including POS, online ordering, payments, and marketing in one integrated platform.
Proven ROI: Restaurants typically see positive ROI within 2-3 months through eliminated commissions and increased order frequency from loyalty programmes.
Purpose-built for restaurants: Every feature is designed specifically for food service operations, from menu management to kitchen display systems.
Scalable: Whether you're an independent takeaway or a multi-location chain, Flipdish grows with your business with centralised menu management and reporting.
Marketing tools included: Built-in SMS marketing, loyalty programmes, and automated campaigns help you grow orders without additional marketing costs.
AI-powered features: Advanced capabilities like AI phone ordering and AI marketing help you compete with larger chains.
UK-focused support: Local support team understands UK restaurant operations and regulations.
For restaurants serious about building a sustainable, profitable online ordering business, Flipdish offers the most comprehensive alternative to Foodhub and other commission-based platforms.
Next Steps
Calculate your potential savings: Review your monthly Foodhub statements to see exactly what you're paying in commissions and fees.
Request a demo: See how direct ordering works and how quickly you could implement it.
Plan your transition: Most restaurants complete the switch within 2-4 weeks.
Start building customer relationships: Begin collecting customer data and implementing loyalty programmes that increase order frequency.
The restaurant industry is moving away from high-commission marketplaces toward owned customer relationships and direct ordering channels. Making the switch now positions your business for long-term profitability and growth.
For more information on comparing restaurant technology solutions, visit Restaurant Tech.
To learn more about implementing commission-free online ordering for your restaurant, explore Flipdish's online ordering platform or view transparent pricing.