The Northern Ireland Collection & Delivery Alternative For Foodservice: Keep More of What You Earn

Northern Ireland's food delivery market has exploded over the past five years. Customers expect the convenience of ordering from their favourite restaurants, and businesses that don't offer collection or delivery risk losing customers to competitors who do. But here's the problem: traditional delivery platforms are quietly destroying your profit margins.

If you're a Northern Ireland restaurant, café, or takeaway using Deliveroo or Just Eat, you already know the brutal reality. Commission rates of 20-30% mean you're working harder to make less money. Every order that comes through these platforms costs you more than it should, and you have zero control over the customer relationship or delivery experience.

There's a better way. Whether you're considering your first delivery system or looking to escape the high commissions of traditional platforms, understanding your options could save your Northern Ireland business thousands of pounds annually.

The True Cost of Deliveroo and Just Eat in Northern Ireland

Let's start with the uncomfortable truth: Deliveroo and Just Eat charge commissions that make profitable delivery nearly impossible for most restaurants.

Commission Rates That Kill Margins

Traditional delivery platforms typically charge:

• 20-30% commission per order

• Additional marketing fees if you want visibility

• Higher commissions during peak times in some cases

• Service fees passed to customers that reduce order volume

What this actually means for your business:

A £50 order on a 25% commission platform means you receive just £37.50. From that, you still need to cover:

• Food costs (typically 28-35% of revenue)

• Staff wages

• Rent and utilities

• Kitchen operations

• Everything else that keeps your business running

On already thin profit margins (most restaurants operate at 10-15%), a 25% commission doesn't just reduce profits. It often pushes delivery orders into loss territory. You're working to make Deliveroo or Just Eat money, not yourself.

The Maths Northern Ireland Businesses Can't Ignore

Let's look at real numbers for a typical Northern Ireland restaurant:

Scenario: Belfast Restaurant Using 25% Commission Platform

• 100 weekly orders at £40 average

• Weekly revenue: £4,000

• Commission paid: £1,000

• Revenue kept: £3,000

Same Restaurant Using 6% Commission Platform:

• 100 weekly orders at £40 average

• Weekly revenue: £4,000

• Commission paid: £240

• Revenue kept: £3,760

Difference: £760 weekly or £39,520 annually

That's enough to hire a full-time staff member, invest in kitchen equipment, or simply take home as actual profit. For small Northern Ireland businesses, this difference determines whether you survive or thrive.

Why Northern Ireland Businesses Need Better Options

The food delivery landscape in Northern Ireland faces unique challenges that make high-commission platforms particularly damaging.

Rising Costs Hit Northern Ireland Hospitality Hard

Northern Ireland hospitality businesses are dealing with:

• Increased food costs due to supply chain pressures

• Higher energy bills impacting kitchen operations

• Rising wage costs to attract and retain staff

• Rent increases in popular areas like Belfast city centre

When costs rise everywhere else, you can't afford to give away 25% of revenue to a delivery platform. Every percentage point matters.

Competition Is Fierce

Belfast alone has 36.7 fast-food outlets per 100,000 people, and that's before counting independent restaurants, cafés, and takeaways. You're competing not just with the restaurant down the street, but with every food business in your delivery radius.

High platform commissions mean you can't compete on price without destroying your margins. Lower commission alternatives let you either price competitively or maintain healthy margins.

Customers Expect Delivery and Collection

The pandemic permanently changed customer expectations. Over 27% of Irish consumers now regularly order food delivery or collection. If you don't offer these options, customers simply choose competitors who do.

But offering delivery through expensive platforms that destroy your profitability isn't sustainable either. You need delivery and collection options that actually make business sense.

Mosey: Built for Northern Ireland Food Businesses

Mosey offers Northern Ireland restaurants, cafés, and takeaways a fundamentally different approach to collection and delivery. One designed to help you make money, not just stay busy.

Just 6% Commission for Collection and Delivery

Mosey charges 6% commission for collection and delivery orders, with a transparent £0.75 service fee paid by customers.

Compare that to traditional platforms charging 20-30%. On every £40 order, you keep an extra £5.60-9.60 compared to high-commission platforms. This isn't marginal improvement. It's the difference between profitable delivery and working for free.

Annual impact for a typical Northern Ireland restaurant:

• 150 weekly orders at £35 average

• Savings vs 25% platform: £14,250 annually

• Savings vs 20% platform: £10,920 annually

That's real money that stays in your business instead of going to a platform headquartered in London or Amsterdam.

You Control Your Delivery Experience

Unlike Deliveroo where anonymous drivers handle your food with zero accountability, Mosey lets you choose how delivery works:

Option 1: Hire Your Own Drivers Complete control over who represents your brand. Your drivers, your training, your quality standards. Customers get consistent service from people who care about your reputation.

Option 2: Partner with Local Driver Services Share driver costs with nearby businesses through local driver pools. Pay competitive rates for delivery without hiring full-time staff. Maintain local control and relationships.

Option 3: Collection Only Many successful Northern Ireland food businesses focus purely on collection. No delivery logistics, higher margins, and direct customer interaction. Simple and profitable.

The flexibility means you adapt to your business needs rather than forcing your business

to fit a platform's model.

Own Your Customer Data and Relationships

Here's what happens with traditional platforms: A customer orders from your restaurant through Deliveroo. Deliveroo owns that customer relationship. You can't email them, text them, or contact them about specials or new menu items. If you want to market to them again, you pay Deliveroo more money.

With Mosey, every customer is your customer.

You get their:

• Email address

• Phone number

• Order history

• Preferences and notes

This means you can:

• Send direct marketing about new menu items

• Offer loyalty rewards and discounts

• Build repeat business without platform fees

• Create genuine customer relationships

A regular customer ordering fortnightly is worth approximately £840 annually to your business. When you own that relationship, you own that revenue stream. When Deliveroo owns it, you're forever paying commission to reach your own customers.

Get Found When Customers Are Hungry

Traditional delivery platforms bury your restaurant in search results unless you pay for promoted placement. Even customers specifically searching for your cuisine type might never find you.

Mosey works differently. Customers discover you through food-focused search when they're actively deciding where to order:

Search by cuisine: Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mexican—customers find exactly what they're craving

Search by menu items: Looking for "wood-fired pizza" or "Sunday roast"? Your restaurant appears if you offer it

Search by location: Genuinely local results showing restaurants in their delivery area

Search by atmosphere: Customers looking for specific dining experiences find appropriate options

Your new takeaway in Derry gets the same visibility as established restaurants in Belfast because Mosey surfaces results based on relevance, not who pays the most for advertising.

Collection and Delivery in One Place

Many Northern Ireland businesses use one system for collection orders and another for delivery, creating operational headaches and split customer data.

Mosey handles both through a single platform:

• Customers place collection or delivery orders from the same menu

• You manage all orders through one system

• Customer data consolidates in one place

• Simpler operations mean fewer errors and better service

This operational simplicity matters when you're running a busy kitchen during Friday night service.

Building Your Own Delivery System: Is It Worth It?

Some Northern Ireland businesses consider building their own delivery systems rather than using any platform. Here's the honest analysis of that approach.

The True Cost of Your Own System

Running your own delivery operation requires:

Technology:

• Website with online ordering capability

• Payment processing integration

• Order management system

• Customer database and CRM

Staff:

• Drivers (full-time or on-demand)

• Dispatch coordination

• Customer service for order issues

Operations:

• Vehicle costs or driver vehicle allowances

• Insurance (significantly higher for delivery)

• Route optimization

• Quality control

Marketing:

• Customer acquisition (people need to know you offer delivery)

• Ongoing promotion to maintain order volume

• Competing with platform-driven discovery

Realistic costs: £2,000-4,000 monthly before you take a single order, plus per-order delivery costs.

When Your Own System Doesn't Make Sense

Own systems struggle for:

• New businesses without established customer bases

• Restaurants testing delivery for the first time

• Businesses with moderate order volumes

• Business who prioritise visibility to new customers

• Locations where customers expect platform convenience

The hybrid approach: Use Mosey for customer discovery and order management (6% commission), hire your own drivers for delivery (complete control). You get platform benefits without platform commission rates.

The Real Benefits of Collection Orders for Northern Ireland Businesses

Before diving into delivery logistics, consider whether collection alone might serve your business better.

Collection Orders Are Highly Profitable

Collection orders offer:

• 6% commission on Mosey (versus 20-30% for delivery platforms)

• No delivery costs whatsoever

• No driver logistics or vehicle expenses

• Better food quality going straight from kitchen to customer

• Simpler operations during busy service

For businesses with already tight margins, collection provides delivery convenience for customers without delivery costs for you.

Collection Fills Revenue Gaps

Quiet Tuesday evening? Collection orders supplement slow dine-in business.

Lunch service underperforming? Collection orders from nearby offices fill the gap.

Weekend breakfast service? Collection orders capture customers who want your food at home.

Collection lets you generate revenue during periods when your kitchen has capacity but dining room doesn't have customers.

Customers Often Prefer Collection

Many customers actually prefer collection to delivery:

• No delivery fees

• Faster (no waiting for drivers)

• Food at peak quality and temperature

• Ability to check orders before leaving

By offering collection, you're not compromising. You're providing what many customers actively want.

How Mosey Compares to Traditional Platforms

Let's do direct comparisons so you know exactly what you're getting (or giving up).

Commission Comparison

Deliveroo/Just Eat: 20-30% commission Mosey: 6% commission Savings per £40 order: £5.60-9.60 Annual savings (150 orders/week): £43,680-74,880

Customer Data Ownership

Deliveroo/Just Eat: Platform owns all customer data Mosey: You own customer email, phone, order history Value: Ability to market directly, build loyalty, own relationships

Delivery Control

Deliveroo/Just Eat: Platform drivers, zero control over quality Mosey: Your choice: own drivers, driver pools, or collection only Benefit: Quality control, brand representation, flexibility

Setup Costs

Deliveroo/Just Eat: Free to join, pay high commissions forever Mosey: Free to join, pay low commissions only on actual sales Advantage: Both free to start, Mosey costs significantly less long-term

Menu Management

Deliveroo/Just Eat: Update through their systems, limited control Mosey: Full menu control, update any time, no platform restrictions Benefit: Flexibility, faster updates, complete autonomy

Marketing and Discovery

Deliveroo/Just Eat: Pay for promoted placement, buried otherwise Mosey: Discovered through relevant searches, no pay-for-placement Result: Fair visibility based on relevance, not advertising budget

Practical Steps for Northern Ireland Businesses

Ready to reduce your commission costs and take control of collection and delivery? Here's how to get started.

Step 1: Calculate Your Current Costs

Look at your last three months of delivery platform statements:

• Total revenue through platforms

• Total commission paid

• Average order value

• Number of orders

Calculate what those same orders would cost on Mosey at 6%. The difference is money staying in your business.

Step 2: Set Up Your Mosey Profile

Create your free business profile at www.moseyfoodfinder.com/forbusiness:

• Add complete menu with prices

• Upload quality food photos

• Set collection/delivery times and areas

• Configure payment processing

Setup takes approximately 30-60 minutes for a complete profile.

Step 3: Decide Your Delivery Approach

Choose what works for your business:

• Collection only (simplest, highest margins)

• Collection + own drivers (complete control)

• Collection + driver pool partnership (flexibility without full-time costs)

You can start with collection and add delivery later as volume grows.

Step 4: Promote to Existing Customers

Tell your current customers you're on Mosey:

• Email your customer database

• Post on your social media

• Add signage in your restaurant

• Include cards with dine-in bills

Your existing customers are your easiest wins. Make sure they know about your new, better ordering option.

Step 5: Optimize Based on Results

After the first month:

• Review order volumes and peak times

• Adjust delivery zones if needed

• Refine menu based on popular items

• Gather customer feedback

Continuous improvement based on real data ensures your collection and delivery service works optimally for your business.

What Makes Mosey Different for Northern Ireland

Mosey isn't just another delivery platform. It's built specifically for businesses tired of traditional platforms destroying their margins.

Built for UK and Irish Businesses

Mosey understands UK and Irish hospitality. GBP pricing, local payment methods, and realistic commission rates designed for actual businesses, not Silicon Valley unicorns burning investor money.

No Follower Count Required

Unlike social media where you need thousands of followers for visibility, Mosey connects you with customers through food-focused search. A brand new business in Newry gets the same visibility as established restaurants in Belfast.

Transparent, Honest Pricing

6% commission for collection and delivery. £0.75 service fee paid by customers. No hidden charges, no surge pricing, no mandatory marketing spend. You know exactly what you're paying.

You're Not the Product

Traditional platforms optimize for their profit, not yours. They charge you maximum commissions, own your customers, and control your delivery experience.

Mosey aligns differently: we succeed when you succeed. Lower commissions mean you can afford to use the platform. Customer data ownership means you build sustainable business. Delivery control means quality stays high.

Free to Start

No upfront costs or monthly fees for basic features. Just low commissions on actual sales. Test collection and delivery without the financial risk.

Common Questions from Northern Ireland Businesses

"Can I use Mosey alongside Deliveroo or Just Eat?"

Yes. Many businesses use multiple platforms while transitioning away from high-commission options. Gradually promote Mosey to customers and let lower commissions speak for themselves.

Over time, you'll likely find Mosey orders more profitable and customer relationships more valuable.

"What about areas with limited delivery demand?"

Collection-only works perfectly in areas where delivery demand doesn't justify driver costs. Many successful businesses focus purely on collection, achieving great results without delivery complexity.

"How do I compete with restaurants offering big platform discounts?"

Traditional platforms push restaurants to discount because high commissions make full-price orders unprofitable anyway. With Mosey's 6% commission, you maintain profitable pricing without needing constant discounts.

Quality and fair pricing beat unsustainable discounting long-term.

"Will customers actually use a new app?"

Mosey isn't asking customers to change habits dramatically. They still order from their phones, still get quality food, still enjoy convenience. The difference: you keep more money and own the relationship.

Plus, customers increasingly tired of high service fees on traditional platforms appreciate fair pricing.

"What if I already have my own website ordering?"

Keep it. Mosey provides additional discovery when customers search for restaurants. Your website serves existing customers; Mosey helps new customers find you.

Or, if managing multiple systems is burdensome, consolidate to Mosey and benefit from simpler operations.

The Bottom Line for Northern Ireland Businesses

Every pound you give to Deliveroo or Just Eat is a pound not invested in your business, your staff, or your pocket. With commission rates of 20-30%, traditional platforms aren't partners. They're a drain on profitability.

Mosey offers Northern Ireland food businesses a genuine alternative:

• 6% commission versus 20-30%

• Customer data ownership versus platform control

• Delivery flexibility versus forced dependence on platform drivers

• Fair discovery versus pay-for-placement

• Transparent pricing versus hidden fees

For a typical Northern Ireland restaurant doing 150 orders weekly:

• Savings vs 25% platform: £43,680 annually

• Savings vs 20% platform: £32,760 annually

That's not marginal improvement. That's hiring another staff member, upgrading equipment, or significantly increasing your take-home profit.

The question isn't whether you should offer collection and delivery. Customers expect it. The question is whether you'll use platforms that destroy your margins or alternatives that help you actually profit from every order.

Northern Ireland's food businesses deserve better than 25% commissions and zero customer relationships. Mosey provides exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delivery and Collection in Northern Ireland

Q: How much commission do Deliveroo and Just Eat charge in Northern Ireland?

A: Deliveroo and Just Eat typically charge 20-30% commission per order in Northern Ireland, with some restaurants reporting even higher rates during peak periods. Additional fees apply for marketing and promoted placement. These high commissions make profitable delivery extremely difficult for most restaurants operating on standard 10-15% profit margins. In contrast, Mosey charges just 6% commission for collection and delivery orders, letting Northern Ireland businesses keep significantly more of their revenue.

Q: Can Northern Ireland restaurants use Mosey for collection only?

A: Yes. Many successful Northern Ireland businesses focus purely on collection through Mosey. Collection offers even better margins than delivery (no driver costs), better food quality control, and simpler operations. You can start with collection and add delivery later as volume justifies it, or remain collection-only permanently if that serves your business best. Mosey's 6% commission applies to collection orders, making it highly profitable compared to traditional 20-30% platform rates.

Q: Do I own my customer data with Mosey?

A: Yes. Every customer who orders through Mosey becomes your customer. You receive their email address, phone number, order history, and preferences. This lets you market directly, build loyalty programmes, and own the customer relationship instead of paying a platform for repeated access. Traditional delivery platforms keep all customer data, forcing you to pay high commissions forever to reach your own customers. With Mosey, the customer relationship is yours to keep.

Q: How does Mosey help Northern Ireland businesses compete with larger chains?

A: Mosey levels the playing field through food-focused search rather than advertising budgets. When customers search for "Chinese takeaway in Derry" or "pizza delivery Belfast," results appear based on relevance and quality, not who pays the most for promoted placement. A new independent restaurant gets the same visibility as established chains because Mosey prioritizes what customers are actually searching for. This means Northern Ireland's independent businesses can compete fairly without massive marketing budgets.

Q: What's the best alternative to Deliveroo and Just Eat for Northern Ireland restaurants?

A: Mosey provides the best alternative for Northern Ireland food businesses seeking lower commissions and customer data ownership. With just 6% commission versus 20-30% on traditional platforms, businesses keep £5.60-9.60 more per £40 order. That's £32,000-43,000+ annually for typical restaurants. Mosey lets you choose your delivery method (own drivers, driver pools, or collection only), own customer data, and get discovered through food-focused search when customers are hungry. Setup is free, there are no monthly fees for basic features, and you only pay commission on actual sales. For Northern Ireland businesses tired of working harder to make less money, Mosey offers genuine relief from platform commission rates that destroy profitability.