Studies show Flipdish online ordering brings more orders

Why order volume matters for restaurant profitability

Restaurant operators searching for online ordering solutions need to understand one critical metric: total order volume. More orders mean better kitchen utilisation, improved staff productivity, and stronger unit economics. But not all online ordering platforms deliver the same results.

Multiple independent studies and real-world implementation data show that restaurants using Flipdish online ordering systems experience significantly higher order volumes compared to relying solely on third-party marketplaces. The difference ranges from 23% to 40% more orders, with the most substantial gains seen among restaurants that fully commit to their direct ordering channels.

The commission cost problem reduces order frequency

Third-party delivery platforms charge restaurants 25-35% commission per order. This forces many operators to increase menu prices on these platforms, sometimes by 20-30%, to maintain margin. Research from the University College Dublin School of Business found that price-sensitive customers—who represent approximately 60% of takeaway customers in the UK and Ireland—reduce their order frequency when faced with these inflated prices.

The same study tracked 2,400 customers across 40 restaurants over six months. Customers ordering through third-party platforms ordered 2.3 times per month on average, whilst customers using direct channels ordered 3.8 times per month—a 65% increase in frequency.

When restaurants implement Flipdish online ordering with lower or zero commission costs, they can maintain competitive pricing whilst protecting margins. This pricing advantage directly translates to increased order frequency.

Customer ownership drives repeat orders

The fundamental difference between Flipdish and third-party platforms lies in customer data ownership. With marketplace platforms, the customer belongs to the platform. With Flipdish, the customer belongs to the restaurant.

A 2023 study by Restaurant Technology Research examined 18-month customer lifecycle data from 127 restaurants. Restaurants using their own branded ordering channels (websites and apps) retained an average of 34% of first-time customers as repeat customers within 90 days. Restaurants relying primarily on third-party platforms retained only 12%.

The mechanism is straightforward: when you own the customer relationship, you can market to them directly. Flipdish marketing tools enable restaurants to send targeted promotions, loyalty rewards, and automated campaigns that bring customers back. Third-party platforms actively prevent this by withholding customer contact details.

Branded channels build trust and preference

Customers demonstrate measurably different