How much does it cost to open an online food shop?
The cost of an online food shop has four components: the platform, card payments, the domain and delivery setup. With 4salefood you start at €5 a month, while foodpanda or Glovo keep 25–35% of every order.
Short answer
- The 4salefood platform, hosting and a digital menu included, starts at €5 a month, for up to 100 dishes.
- The card processor takes a per-transaction fee: typically 1–3% + a fixed fee.
- A .ro domain costs around €10–15 per year, and setting up delivery zones is free.
- On your own platform you pay a monthly subscription, and card payments go through the payment processor.
- The real range, from the entry plan to the largest one: €5–€50 a month. Marketplaces take 25–35% of every order.
What you pay for (components)
Your own shop (4salefood) vs foodpanda/Glovo
| Component | Your own shop (4salefood) | foodpanda / Glovo |
|---|---|---|
| Platform / hosting | Subscription from €5 a month, digital menu included | Seemingly "free", but paid out of commission |
| Card payments | Processor fee 1–3% + fixed fee, money straight to you | Payment goes through the marketplace, delayed payout |
| The customer | Yours — data, repeat orders, direct marketing | The platform's — you don't get the customer data |
Practical example
Example: a pizzeria with 40 dishes fits the entry plan, at €5 a month (up to 100 dishes). On top of it you add a .ro domain (around €12 a year) and card payments (fee ~1.5% + €0.25). Past 100 dishes you move to the next plan, at €10 a month. At 200 orders of €10 a month, on foodpanda it would pay €500–700 in commission; on its own shop it pays the subscription and the card fee.
Common mistakes
- Comparing only the subscription and ignoring the 25–35% marketplace commission — it grows with every order.
- Thinking foodpanda is "free": the commission eats your margin on every plate sold.
- Giving up customer data (phone, address, history) just to appear on a marketplace.
How 4salefood helps
- A digital menu with a QR code and a predictable subscription from €5 a month, hosting and SSL included.
- Orders with your own delivery and pickup at the venue, with no marketplace between you and the customer.
- Card or cash-on-delivery payment, with the money straight to you, plus configurable delivery zones and opening hours.