The Truth About Grab Commission Fees (and How to Make It Work for You)

Introduction

Are you a restaurant owner in Thailand or Singapore feeling like GrabFood’s fees are eating into your profits? You’re not alone. Many restaurant owners initially see Grab’s commission charges as an expensive cost, but the truth is that with the right strategy, Grab can still be highly profitable for your business. Understanding how these commission fees work – and learning to work around them – is key to turning the platform into a revenue driver instead of a burden.

In this article, we’ll demystify Grab’s commission structure and show you how to:

• Understand the different types of fees Grab charges (platform commission, delivery fees, etc.)
• Calculate the impact of Grab’s commissions on your average order value (with real examples)
• Adjust your menu pricing to absorb or offset Grab’s commission costs
• Use smart techniques to increase your Average Order Value (AOV) and protect your margins
• Even explore options for negotiating lower commission rates (when possible)

Grab’s Commission Fees Explained

GrabFood primarily makes money by taking a percentage commission from each order you receive through the app. However, that’s not the only fee at play. Let’s break down the key costs involved in a GrabFood order for restaurants:

• Commission Fee (Service Fee): This is the percentage of the order value that Grab takes as its commission. It typically ranges from 15% to 30% of the order total:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, with many restaurants commonly being charged around 25-30%. This fee is deducted from the money you receive for each order.
• Delivery Fee: This is the fee customers pay for delivery. Importantly, the delivery fee does not go to the restaurant – it’s paid out to the delivery driver. Grab may even subsidize this to ensure drivers get a fair payment. As a restaurant, you don’t directly pay this cost, but it does affect the customer’s total price.
• Platform Fee: In some regions, Grab charges customers a small flat “platform fee” (for example, SG$0.20 per order:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}). This is a nominal fee to use the app and doesn’t come out of the restaurant’s share, but it does increase what the customer pays overall.

In summary, the main cost to you as a merchant is the commission percentage that Grab takes from your food orders. The delivery fee and any small platform fees are either covered by the customer or by Grab to pay its drivers. Now, let’s see how that commission actually impacts your earnings with some numbers.

How Grab’s Commissions Impact Your Revenue

Grab’s commission might sound manageable as a percentage, but it’s important to see how it cuts into each order’s revenue. Here are a couple of examples to illustrate the impact on an average order:

• Thailand: For an order of ฿150 (about USD $4.50), a 30% commission means ฿45 goes to Grab in fees. The restaurant would receive around ฿105 for that order:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} (before accounting for food cost and other expenses).
• Singapore: For an order of S$20, a 30% commission is about S$6 in fees. The restaurant nets roughly S$14 from the order:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} after Grab’s cut.

Now, consider your profit margins. If your food cost and overhead for that ฿150 Thai order are, say, ฿100, then without Grab you’d profit ฿50. With Grab taking ฿45, you’re left with just ฿5 profit — essentially wiping out the margin. This is why many restaurant owners feel the pinch of Grab’s commission.

Does that mean selling on Grab is a loss? Not if you plan for it. Remember that GrabFood can bring you a lot of new customers and extra orders you might not get otherwise. The key is to build those fees into your strategy. In the next sections, we’ll look at how you can adjust your prices and operations so that you maintain healthy profits on each Grab order.

Adapting Your Pricing to Absorb Grab’s Fees

The most straightforward way to handle Grab’s commission is to slightly increase your menu prices on the app. In fact, if you browse GrabFood, you’ll notice many restaurants price items higher than they do in-store. Here’s how you can adapt your pricing strategy:

• Markup for Delivery: Raise your GrabFood menu prices by roughly 10-15%. For example, if a noodle dish is ฿100 in your restaurant, you might list it at ฿110 or ฿115 on Grab. This small increase helps cover the commission without scaring away customers (most people expect a slight markup for the convenience of delivery).
• Create Bundle Deals: Package your items into combos or family sets at a higher total price. Bundling a main dish with a drink or side not only increases the order value (helping cover fees) but also provides more value to the customer in one purchase. The higher price of a combo gives you more room to absorb Grab’s cut.
• Optimize Portions and Options: Consider offering menu items on Grab that have a solid profit margin. You might use slightly adjusted portion sizes or ingredients for delivery-specific items. As long as the food still delights customers, a well-planned menu can ensure you’re not losing money on each sale even after 30% commission.

When adjusting prices, be transparent if possible. Some restaurants mention on their social media that prices on delivery apps are a bit higher to account for fees. Many customers understand this trade-off as the cost of convenience. The goal is to strike a balance where your menu remains competitive on Grab while factoring in the commission. By smartly increasing prices and curating your offerings, you ensure that every order through GrabFood is still putting money in your pocket.

Strategies to Increase Your Average Order Value (AOV)

Another strategy to counteract commissions is to earn more per order. If you can get customers to spend more on each order, the percentage Grab takes has less impact on your bottom line. Here are some techniques to boost your Average Order Value on Grab:

• Set a Free Delivery Threshold: Encourage larger orders by offering free delivery (or a small free item) for orders above a certain amount (for example, free delivery for orders over ฿300). Customers might add an extra dish or dessert to qualify, which increases the order size. Grab often has tools for merchants to set these promotions.
• Use Add-ons and Upsells: Take advantage of Grab’s menu options to offer extras. For instance, allow customers to add cheese, extra toppings, or sides for a small additional cost. Also, list high-margin items like drinks or appetizers as suggested add-ons. These little upsells can add up and significantly raise the total order value.
• Promote Family Packs or Share Meals: If you sell items in larger portions (like a platter or a meal for 2-4 people), highlight those on Grab. A family meal might be priced at S$40 instead of multiple smaller orders totaling S$40. The commission on that larger sale is the same percentage, but you save on packaging and potentially get a higher profit from one big order versus several small ones.
• Time-Limited Specials to Boost Basket Size: Run promotions such as “Spend an extra S$10, get 10% off your order.” This kind of deal can incentivize customers to add that extra item to reach the discount threshold. Even with the discount, you benefit from a bigger sale (and the discount can be structured such that it’s still profitable after commission).

Increasing AOV works hand-in-hand with pricing adjustments. For example, say your typical order is around S$15. If you manage to raise that to S$25 by using the techniques above, a 30% commission takes S$7.50 instead of S$4.50 – yes, Grab takes more in absolute terms, but your revenue is higher too (S$17.50 instead of S$10.50 net to you). In practice, your food cost for a S$25 order is higher, but not double, so you come out ahead with a larger order.

The takeaway: get customers to put more in their cart. Bigger orders mean you’re delivering more value (and food) in one go, and you retain more money per delivery after the fee. With strategic upselling and promotions, you can significantly blunt the effect of Grab’s commission on your profits.

Bonus: Can You Negotiate a Lower Commission?

One question ambitious restaurant owners often ask is whether Grab’s commission rate is set in stone. The reality is that for small independent restaurants, the standard commission is usually non-negotiable. However, there are cases – typically for high-performing or chain restaurants – where some negotiation might be possible. Here’s what to know:

• High Order Volume: If your restaurant is consistently bringing in a very large number of Grab orders (think hundreds per day), you have a bit of leverage. Grab may be open to discussing a slightly lower rate because they value the volume you generate:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. The logic is simple: if you’re making Grab a lot of money, they have an incentive to keep you happy on the platform.
• Brand Strength or Unique Cuisine: Are you a well-known chain or a restaurant with a unique offering that’s in high demand? Grab might consider a special arrangement. For example, a famous bubble tea brand or a popular fast-food chain might negotiate commissions as part of partnership deals. If your brand drives customer traffic to Grab, you have a case to ask for a better rate:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Long-Term Partnership: In some cases, committing to an exclusive or long-term partnership with Grab can be used as a bargaining chip. If you’re willing to forgo other delivery apps and focus solely on GrabFood, you could ask your Grab account manager if there’s room for a commission discount in exchange for that exclusivity.

Be realistic: Negotiating is not guaranteed, and many smaller eateries won’t have success changing the fee. Grab’s policies vary by country and situation. It often takes significant volume or influence to get an exception. That said, it doesn’t hurt to politely inquire with Grab’s merchant support or your account representative, especially if you feel your business merits special consideration.

Another tip: Keep an eye out for special programs. Sometimes Grab launches campaigns to support restaurants (for example, during certain periods they offered 0% commission on self-pickup orders:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} or reduced rates for new sign-ups). Taking advantage of these programs when they’re available can save you a lot on fees. Encouraging customers to use Grab’s self-pickup option is a win-win — the customer saves on delivery, and you often pay no commission on those orders!

In short, while the commission rate is a given for most, you do have some control and options. By excelling on the platform (high ratings, strong sales) and maintaining a good relationship with Grab, you position yourself as a valuable partner. And if the opportunity arises to negotiate or join a special low-commission program, you’ll be ready to make the most of it.

Need Help Making GrabFood Profitable?

Dealing with fees and optimizing your Grab presence can be tricky. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Grab Method™ team specializes in helping restaurants succeed on Grab.

• ✅ Full account setup and optimization to improve visibility
• ✅ Keyword-rich profile content and menu descriptions that attract customers
• ✅ Menu design, pricing strategy, and professional food photos
• ✅ Performance audits and custom recommendations to boost profits
• ✅ Ongoing account management and promotion planning

Contact us: hello@thegrabmethod.com

Learn more: thegrabmethod.com

Don’t let Grab’s commissions scare you away from growth. With the right approach, you can turn GrabFood into a thriving, profitable channel for your restaurant!