Grubhub's fee structure is more complex than it appears at first glance. There's the commission rate, then delivery fees, then marketing and advertising costs — and the combination of all three determines what you actually keep from each order. Here's how it all works.
Grubhub's Commission Structure
Grubhub uses a package-based model where your commission rate depends on which services you use:
| Service | Typical Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace (Grubhub delivery) | 15–25% | Grubhub handles delivery logistics |
| Self-delivery | 10–15% | You use your own drivers |
| Pickup orders | ~10% | No delivery involved |
| Sponsored listings (advertising) | Variable | Additional cost on top of commission |
Grubhub's base commission rates are generally somewhat lower than DoorDash and Uber Eats, which is one reason some restaurants prefer it — particularly in markets where Grubhub has strong order volume.
Processing Fee
Grubhub charges a processing fee of approximately 3.05% plus $0.30 per order for payment handling. This applies to all orders regardless of commission tier.
Delivery Commission
If Grubhub provides the delivery driver (rather than your own staff), there's an additional delivery commission on top of the base marketplace commission. This can add 5–10% to your effective rate on Grubhub-delivered orders.
Sponsored Listings
Grubhub offers sponsored listings — paid placement higher in search results. This is an optional cost but one that many restaurants pay to maintain visibility in competitive markets. Sponsored listing costs are deducted directly from your payout and can meaningfully increase your effective fee rate.
Note on market share: Grubhub has lost significant market share to DoorDash and Uber Eats in most US markets. In some cities, particularly New York and Chicago, Grubhub still has strong volume. In others, the order volume may not justify the operational overhead of maintaining another platform integration.
A Real Grubhub Payout Example
Example: $25.00 Order on Grubhub (20% commission + Grubhub delivery)
Without the tip, that's $16.94 on a $25 order — a 32.2% effective fee rate. With the tip, it improves to 18.2%. The variability in tip income makes it difficult to predict payout from commission rates alone.
Grubhub vs. DoorDash vs. Uber Eats: Fee Comparison
On paper, Grubhub's base commission rates are often the lowest of the three major platforms. In practice, the total effective fee rate depends heavily on whether you use Grubhub delivery or your own drivers, whether you run sponsored listings, and your market's tip culture.
For restaurants using their own delivery staff, Grubhub's self-delivery option at 10–15% can produce meaningfully better net payouts than DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery. For restaurants relying on platform delivery, the gap narrows considerably.
Is Grubhub Worth It for Your Restaurant?
The honest answer depends on your market. In cities where Grubhub still has strong consumer adoption, the incremental order volume can justify the fees. In markets where DoorDash dominates, you may be paying Grubhub fees for minimal incremental orders.
The right question isn't "what are Grubhub's fees" but "what is my effective fee rate on Grubhub orders, and how does it compare to my other platforms given my actual order volume and payout data."
See Your Real Grubhub Fee Rate
Upload your Grubhub payout statement. We'll calculate your effective fee rate and compare it against DoorDash and Uber Eats — from your actual data, not assumed rates. Free for 14 days.
Start Free Trial →