The verdict in three sentences
A restaurant in Lagos delivering through a platform like Glovo or Chowdeck gives up 20 to 35 % of every order in commission, plus the loss of the customer relationship. Building your own delivery app (online ordering, courier dispatch, real-time tracking, mobile money payment) brings that cost down to 5-10 % and returns customer data to the restaurant, at a 2026 cost of 1,500,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA. Beyond roughly 30 orders a day, the custom system costs less than platform commission.
Third-party platform versus custom system
Platform commission is a permanent percentage, while a custom app is a fixed cost that gets amortized. The table compares both models for a typical restaurant.
| Item | Third-party platform | Custom system |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per order | 20 to 35 % | 0 % (mobile money fee ~1 %) |
| Courier cost | Included in commission | Direct salary or flat rate |
| Customer data | Owned by the platform | Owned by the restaurant |
| Payment | Paid out D+7 to D+15 | Collected immediately |
| Monthly cost at 900 orders | ~200,000-350,000 FCFA given up | Hosting + couriers |
The key point is data ownership: with a custom system, the restaurant keeps phone numbers, history and can re-market directly, which is impossible on a platform.
Build cost and break-even
| Tier | Scope | 2026 cost (FCFA) | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Ordering + mobile money + SMS | 1,500,000 - 2,200,000 | ~20 orders/day |
| Growth | + courier dispatch + real-time tracking | 2,500,000 - 3,500,000 | ~30 orders/day |
| Full | + dedicated courier app + zones + promos | 3,800,000 - 4,500,000 | ~45 orders/day |
Real-time courier tracking reassures the customer (they see where their order is) and lets the restaurant optimize routes. Mobile money collects instantly, versus a D+7 to D+15 payout on platforms.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Ibrahim runs a restaurant in Lagos doing 40 deliveries a day, average ticket 6,000 FCFA, through a platform at 28 % commission. That's 40 x 6,000 x 28 % = 67,200 FCFA of commission a day, or about 2,016,000 FCFA a month handed to the platform.
He invests 3,200,000 FCFA in a custom system (Growth tier) and hires two couriers for 300,000 FCFA/month total. Even adding 100,000 FCFA of hosting and mobile money fees, his monthly cost drops to about 400,000 FCFA versus 2,016,000 FCFA. He saves about 1,600,000 FCFA a month, and the app pays back in two months.
FAQ
What does a custom delivery app cost in 2026? From 1,500,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA depending on modules. The essential version (ordering + payment + SMS) starts at 1,500,000 FCFA; courier dispatch and real-time tracking rise toward 3,500,000 FCFA.
At how many orders does it pay off? Around 30 orders a day for the Growth tier. Below that, the platform stays convenient; above it, the 20-35 % commission costs more than the custom system.
How much do platforms really take? Between 20 and 35 % per order depending on city and deal, not counting the D+7 to D+15 payout delay that strains cash flow.
Does mobile money speed up collection? Yes: Wave, M-Pesa and Orange Money credit the restaurant within seconds of the order, versus one to two weeks on platforms. Merchant fees hover around 1 %.
Can I run a platform and a custom app in parallel? Yes, many restaurants keep the platform for discovery and push loyal customers to the cheaper custom app to maximize margin on repeat orders.
Let's talk about your project. We calculate your real break-even and quote the system that fits your volume. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
