GrabFood, Foodpanda & Deliveroo in Singapore: Restaurant Owner's Complete Guide (2026)
Navigate Singapore's food delivery landscape. Compare commission rates, understand exclusivity deals, optimize your menu for delivery, and decide whether delivery is worth it.
Food delivery now accounts for 35–40% of total F&B revenue in Singapore. That is a structural shift. If your restaurant is not on at least one delivery platform, you are leaving money on the table.
But delivery is a double-edged sword. Commission rates of 25–35% can destroy your margins if you are not strategic.
Platform Comparison
| Feature | GrabFood | Foodpanda | Deliveroo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market share (SG) | ~55% | ~30% | ~15% |
| Commission rate | 25–30% | 25–32% | 25–35% |
| Delivery radius | Up to 10km | Up to 8km | Up to 5km |
| Self-delivery option | Yes (lower commission) | Yes | No |
| Payment terms | Weekly | Bi-weekly | Weekly |
| Exclusivity discount | 3–5% off | 3–5% off | 2–4% off |
| Customer base | Largest, diverse | Price-sensitive | Premium, expats |
Understanding Commission Impact
Example: A S$15 meal on GrabFood with 30% commission:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customer pays | S$15.00 |
| GrabFood commission (30%) | -S$4.50 |
| GST on commission | -S$0.41 |
| You receive | S$10.09 |
| Food cost (35%) | -S$5.25 |
| Packaging cost | -S$0.80 |
| Gross profit | S$4.04 (26.9%) |
Compare dine-in: same meal = S$9.75 gross profit (65%). Delivery cuts your margin roughly in half.
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The Delivery Menu Strategy
Rule 1: Delivery-Specific Pricing
Charge 10–15% more on delivery platforms. Customers expect this.
Rule 2: Design for Travel
Build your menu around items that maintain texture for 20–30 minutes. Best: rice bowls, noodle soups (sauce separate), wraps, set meals. Worst: deep-fried items in sauce, ice cream.
Rule 3: Optimize for Platform Algorithms
- Accept orders quickly (under 60 seconds) — boosts ranking
- Maintain 4.5+ ratings — gets you featured
- Upload high-quality photos — increases conversion by 30-40%
Should You Go Exclusive?
All platforms offer 3–5% lower commission for exclusivity. Do the math: if exclusivity costs you 15-20% of delivery orders from other platforms, it is not worth it. Go exclusive only if one platform delivers 70%+ of your orders.
Self-Delivery: The Best-Kept Secret
Self-delivery drops commission to 15–20%. When it makes sense:
- Dense area (HDB estates, office clusters)
- Average order value S$25+
- Delivery radius under 3km
- Part-time rider costs S$8–S$12/hour, completing 3 deliveries/hour = S$3.33 per order (11% on a S$30 order vs 30% platform commission)
Cloud Kitchen Option
| Provider | Monthly rent | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Smart City Kitchens | S$4,000–S$8,000 | Equipped kitchen, utilities |
| CloudKitchens | S$3,500–S$7,000 | Kitchen, WiFi, parking |
| GrabKitchen | S$3,000–S$6,000 | Kitchen + GrabFood visibility |
