The true cost of office delivery apps: £15 budget becomes £9 of food

Picture this: you've allocated £15 per person for a team lunch through a delivery app. Seems reasonable, right? Your team should get a decent meal, everyone's happy, and you've stayed within budget.

But here's the reality check that might make you spit out your coffee – by the time all the fees, markups, and charges are added up, your team is actually getting about £9 worth of food. The rest? It's disappeared into a maze of hidden costs that most businesses don't even realise they're paying.

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The Fee Breakdown: where your money really goes

Let's walk through a real example. Your team of 10 wants lunch, budget is £15 per head, so you've got £150 to work with. Here's what actually happens:

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1. Service fees: the invisible 10% tax

Most delivery app service fees range from 5-10% of your total order value. On a £150 team order, that's £7.50-£15 before you even see the food.

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2. Menu price markups: Up to 30% hidden increase

Here's where office catering costs really spiral. Restaurants inflate their delivery app prices by 15-30% to cover platform commission fees. That £12 pasta dish? It's probably £9 in the restaurant.A £150 order at delivery app prices represents only £115 worth of food at standard restaurant pricing.

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3. Variable delivery charges: £1-£5 per order

Delivery fees for office orders fluctuate based on:

• Peak demand times (lunch rush = higher fees)
• Distance from restaurant
• Driver availability
• Weather conditions

During busy lunch periods, expect to pay £3-£5 per delivery.

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4. Corporate account invoicing fees: additional 5-10%

Business delivery app charges include invoicing fees calculated on your total spend, including VAT. This corporate surcharge adds another 5-10% to your final bill.

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The real cost calculation: office food budget example

Let's break down a typical £150 office lunch order:

• Starting budget: £150 (£15 per person for 10 people)
• Menu markup (25%): -£30
• Service fees (7.5%): -£11.25
• Delivery charges: -£4
• Invoicing fees (7.5%): -£11.25

Total deductions: £56.50 Actual food value: £93.50 Real cost per person: £9.35

That's 38% of your budget lost to fees.

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Calculate your true office food costs

This delivery app breakdown is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Want to see exactly how much your current workplace food program is really costing? Our comprehensive analysis covers all major office dining solutions, from delivery apps to smart vending systems.

Download our complete guide: "The Hidden Costs of Food in the Office" reveals the true cost of every major workplace food option.

Because when you're making decisions about workplace benefits, shouldn't you know exactly where your money is going?