The verdict in three sentences
A Dakar restaurant without a direct-ordering website hands 25 to 30 % of revenue to delivery platforms on every order. A site with an online menu, Wave/Orange Money payment and table booking costs a one-time 250,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA, versus lifetime commissions on every ticket. In 2026 the break-even point lands in 6 to 10 weeks for any venue doing more than 15 online orders a day.
Why a restaurant goes digital in 2026
In Dakar, customers first look for your restaurant on Google or Instagram, then want to order in two taps and pay with their phone. If you only exist through Glovo or Yango, you pay a commission, you never get the customer's number, and you cannot build loyalty.
Your own site gives you: an up-to-date menu (no more stale PDFs), online ordering with Wave payment, table reservations, highlighted Google reviews, and above all the customer data (WhatsApp number, history) that belongs to you.
| Channel | Commission per order | Customer data | Loyalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glovo / Yango Eats | 25 to 30 % | No | Impossible |
| Phone / manual WhatsApp | 0 % | Partial | Weak |
| Direct-ordering website | 0 % (Wave fee ~1 %) | Yes, full | Targeted SMS/WhatsApp |
| Instagram DM | 0 % | Partial | Manual |
Features and costs by tier
| Tier | Price (FCFA) | Timeline | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 250,000 – 400,000 | 5 to 8 days | Online menu, gallery, WhatsApp, Google reviews, map |
| Growth | 500,000 – 750,000 | 10 to 15 days | + Online ordering, Wave/OM payment, booking, SMS |
| Premium | 900,000 – 1,200,000 | 15 to 21 days | + Loyalty, multi-outlet, sales dashboard, PWA |
Wave/Orange Money payment costs about 1 % per transaction with no monthly fee, versus 25 to 30 % at aggregators. On an average 6,000 FCFA basket, that is 60 FCFA in fees instead of 1,500 to 1,800 FCFA in commission.
Mini case study
Ibrahim runs a Senegalese fast-food spot in Sacré-Cœur. He takes 20 online orders a day, average basket 6,000 FCFA, i.e. 120,000 FCFA/day in online sales.
- Via Glovo (28 % commission): he loses 33,600 FCFA/day, about 1,008,000 FCFA/month.
- Via his site (Wave fee ~1 %): he loses 1,200 FCFA/day, about 36,000 FCFA/month.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Savings: ~970,000 FCFA/month. A 600,000 FCFA Growth site pays for itself in under 3 weeks, and everything after is recovered net margin.
FAQ
How much does a restaurant website with online ordering cost in Dakar?
Between 250,000 FCFA for a showcase with menu and WhatsApp, and 1,200,000 FCFA for a Premium site with ordering, payment and loyalty. Most restaurants start on the Growth tier around 500,000 to 750,000 FCFA.
Is Wave payment really cheaper than Glovo?
Yes. Wave and Orange Money take about 1 % per transaction, versus 25 to 30 % commission at aggregators. On 100,000 FCFA of sales you keep ~99,000 FCFA instead of ~72,000 FCFA.
How fast is my site live?
A Starter site ships in 5 to 8 days, a Growth with online ordering in 10 to 15 days. Have your dish photos and up-to-date menu ready to move fast.
Can I keep Glovo at the same time?
Yes, many restaurants keep Glovo for visibility and push loyal customers to the site to save the commission. The idea is to gradually shift volume to your own channel.
Let's talk about your project. We build you an online-ordering site that pays back your Glovo commission in weeks. 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.
