In the evolving landscape of food and retail delivery, businesses face a critical decision: should they partner with a local delivery platform or align with a major national or global chain? While big players like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat dominate the market, local delivery platforms offer a compelling alternative that can provide long-term benefits for independent businesses.
This blog post explores why partnering with a local delivery service is a smarter, more sustainable choice, highlighting key advantages such as cost savings, personalised service, community engagement, and stronger brand identity.
1. Lower Commission Fees and Better Profit Margins
One of the most significant drawbacks of working with big chains is the high commission rates they charge. Many major delivery platforms demand commissions ranging from 15% to 35% per order, eating into already slim profit margins for restaurants, cafés, and retailers.
Local delivery platforms, on the other hand, tend to offer more reasonable and transparent pricing structures. Many charge a flat fee or a much lower commission rate, ensuring that more revenue stays with the business. This financial advantage allows independent businesses to reinvest in their operations, improve quality, and maintain competitive pricing without sacrificing profitability.
2. Personalised Customer Service and Support
Large delivery platforms operate at scale, often prioritising efficiency over customer relationships. This can lead to frustrating experiences for business owners, including poor support, slow issue resolution, and rigid service agreements.
By contrast, local delivery platforms prioritise personalised service. They offer direct contact with a dedicated account manager or support team, ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly. Businesses also benefit from a more flexible and tailored approach, where platform operators can adapt to the specific needs of their partners.
3. Greater Control Over Brand Representation
When businesses join a large delivery platform, they often lose some control over their branding, menu presentation, and customer interactions. Generic templates and limited customisation options can make it difficult for brands to stand out.
Local delivery platforms often provide more custom branding opportunities, such as allowing businesses to retain their logo, brand colours, and personalised menus. This helps create a seamless experience between a business’s in-store presence and its online delivery service, strengthening brand identity and customer loyalty.
4. Faster and More Reliable Deliveries
Large delivery chains rely on a vast pool of drivers, many of whom may not be familiar with specific areas. This can lead to inconsistent service, delayed deliveries, and incorrect orders. Poor experiences like these can damage a business’s reputation, even when the fault lies with the third-party platform.
A local delivery platform, however, is more likely to hire experienced drivers familiar with the area, resulting in faster, more reliable deliveries. Many local services prioritise quality over volume, ensuring that orders arrive on time and in perfect condition.
5. Stronger Community Engagement and Local Support
Supporting a local delivery platform means investing in the local economy. Unlike large chains that extract revenue from communities and send profits to international headquarters, local platforms keep money circulating within the local economy.
Additionally, local services often collaborate with independent businesses to create mutually beneficial partnerships, promotions, and loyalty programmes that enhance customer retention and community engagement.
6. More Flexible Service Agreements
Large delivery chains typically enforce one-size-fits-all contracts, limiting a business’s ability to negotiate terms that best suit their needs. Hidden fees, mandatory exclusivity clauses, and inflexible policies can make it difficult for businesses to operate efficiently.
A local delivery platform, however, can offer more flexible agreements tailored to each partner’s needs. Whether it’s adjusting commission rates, modifying delivery areas, or customising marketing support, a local provider is more willing to work with businesses to create a mutually beneficial partnership.
7. Better Customer Relationships and Retention
Big delivery platforms prioritise their own brand recognition over the businesses they partner with. Customers often see Uber Eats or Deliveroo as the provider rather than recognising the restaurant or retailer itself.
By partnering with a local delivery platform, businesses can maintain direct relationships with customers, ensuring they remain loyal to the brand rather than the delivery service. Local platforms often facilitate features such as customer feedback loops, direct promotions, and loyalty rewards, encouraging repeat business.
8. Improved Data Transparency and Insights
Large delivery chains control access to critical customer data, often preventing businesses from gathering valuable insights into ordering habits, customer demographics, and sales performance.
Local platforms tend to provide greater data transparency, allowing businesses to analyse trends, customer preferences, and order patterns. With this information, businesses can tailor their offerings, refine marketing strategies, and enhance the overall customer experience.
9. Ethical and Sustainable Operations
Sustainability is a growing concern for both businesses and consumers. Many large delivery chains rely on gig economy models that may undercut fair wages, provide poor working conditions, and contribute to environmental harm through inefficient delivery practices.
Local delivery platforms often focus on ethical and sustainable operations. They may offer:
- Fair pay and better working conditions for couriers
- Eco-friendly delivery options, such as electric bikes or localised delivery zones
- Reduced packaging waste and sustainable practices
These commitments appeal to conscious consumers who prioritise ethical business practices and sustainability, further enhancing a brand’s reputation.
10. Exclusive Marketing and Promotional Opportunities
Large delivery chains run broad-scale promotions that benefit themselves more than the individual businesses they partner with. Local businesses often get lost in the competition, making it hard to attract attention.
By working with a local delivery platform, businesses gain access to exclusive marketing opportunities tailored to their specific audience. These may include:
- Feature placements in local promotions and newsletters
- Custom advertising campaigns
- Seasonal and event-based collaborations
- Social media support
This targeted approach increases visibility and engagement, helping businesses grow their customer base without being overshadowed by larger chains.
Conclusion: Choosing Local for a Better Future
While big delivery chains offer convenience and a large customer base, the trade-offs—high fees, loss of control, inconsistent service, and limited branding opportunities—can hinder long-term success for independent businesses.
Partnering with a local delivery platform provides numerous advantages, including lower costs, personalised service, better customer retention, and stronger community connections. By choosing a local partner, businesses not only secure a more profitable and sustainable future but also contribute to a thriving local economy.
For businesses looking to maximise profitability, retain their brand identity, and foster strong customer relationships, local delivery platforms are the superior choice. Now is the time to break free from the constraints of big chains and embrace a local-first delivery solution that truly supports independent businesses.
If you’re an independent business looking for a cost-effective, reliable, and community-driven delivery solution, consider partnering with OrderFor.co.uk. Our platform is designed to support local businesses with fair pricing, dedicated support, and custom branding opportunities. Get in touch today to see how we can help your business thrive!
