Who’s paying the 30 per cent delivery app fee—you or the restaurant?

You probably expect menus to list dishes, not business advice.

You definitely don’t expect to find a public service announcement wedged between butter chicken and beef burgers.

But that’s exactly what customers discovered when they opened Inferno Grill’s Uber Eats menu in Maroubra, Sydney.

A Bold Protest Against Hidden Fees

Inferno Grill’s unusual approach shone a spotlight on a little-known reality: delivery apps take about 30 per cent of every order from restaurants, and most businesses increase their prices on these platforms to offset the cost.

Instead of promoting their lamb kebabs and grilled meats, the restaurant used its menu to warn customers about Uber Eats’ hefty fees and encourage them to order directly or visit in person.

Uber Eats offers restaurants several partnership plans with varying commission rates. The Lite Plan charged 15 per cent for delivery orders, the Plus Plan 25 per cent, and the Premium Plan a staggering 30 per cent. Pickup orders on all plans came with a 6 per cent charge.

Restaurants faced other costs too. New locations paid a $500 activation fee excluding GST, deducted in weekly instalments, and potential damage fees of $200. Marketing fees were also applied if restaurants wanted better visibility on the platform.

Financial pressure forced many restaurants to increase prices significantly on delivery apps. Some raised menu prices by over 50 per cent, and research across 20 restaurants in Sydney's Newtown found markups ranging from 3 per cent to 52 per cent.

The Real Cost to Customers

For diners, these extra costs added up fast. The service fee alone typically hovered around 15 per cent of the subtotal, varying by city and restaurant. Delivery fees, small order fees, and extra charges during busy periods compounded the total.

Nationwide, this could mean an extra $16 billion annually if all takeout orders were delivered via apps.

Restaurants Fighting Back

Inferno Grill was not alone. Earlier this year, Sydney’s Super Nash Brothers spoke on #A Current Affair about similar struggles with Uber Eats’ rising fees and restrictive policies.

Owners Ross Kemp and Joe Avers said Uber Eats introduced a 33 per cent charge, mandatory advertising fees when visibility dropped, and extra 'offer fees' when customers used promotions. They also implemented a 'merchant success score' that could limit restaurant visibility depending on price markups.

'We need to pay staff, we need to pay power bills, we need to pay rent and everything else. And Joe and I would like to make a little something at the end of the month as well,' Ross said.

How Fees Affect Your Wallet

The Restaurant Perspective

Inferno Grill’s cheeky menu messages revealed the frustration many small business owners feel. Delivery platforms positioned themselves as partners while taking cuts that could make or break profitability.

Uber One, the platform’s paid membership program, offered benefits such as $0 delivery fees, but these benefits did not always apply to specific restaurants, adding further uncertainty.

What You Can Do

Delivery apps provide convenience, especially for people with mobility issues or busy schedules, but knowing the true costs can help you make smarter choices.

Calling restaurants directly to ask about their own delivery services or pickup options could save money and often improve service. Many restaurants offered online ordering or phone-based delivery that cut out the middleman entirely.

If you used delivery apps, checking multiple platforms before placing large orders was worthwhile, as fees varied between Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Menulog.

The next time you considered ordering in, remember Inferno Grill’s protest—sometimes the priciest part of a meal is the convenience fee, not the food.

If you found Inferno Grill’s menu protest eye-opening, you might be interested in another story highlighting hidden costs on food delivery apps.

This piece dives into real-life experiences where delivery fees and service charges caught customers off guard, showing how widespread the issue really is.

It’s a practical follow-up for anyone looking to understand the true price of convenience when ordering in.

Read more: Aussies hit with hidden Uber Eats fees: 'Still can't quite compute their maths'

Have you noticed restaurants in your area offering direct delivery or pickup services? Share your experiences in the comments—your insights could help others make smarter dining choices.