Many restaurant owners believe that offering discounts is the fastest way to increase sales. And while promotions candrive short-term traffic, relying on discounts too often cuts into profits and trains customers to only buy when prices are lower.

But there’s a better, more profitable strategy — and it’s already becoming the new norm in 2025:

A strong online ordering system.

Direct online ordering increases sales, grows repeat business, improves operational efficiency, and helps restaurants generate predictable, high-margin revenue — without sacrificing profits through constant deals.

Let’s break down why online ordering beats discounts every time, and how restaurants can use smart digital offers to boost revenue sustainably.

1. Online Ordering Creates Higher-Margin Sales

Discounts reduce your profit immediately.
Online orders do not.

Here’s why online ordering is more profitable:

✔ No phone time

Staff aren’t tied up taking orders.

✔ Fewer mistakes

Digital orders reduce comps and remakes.

✔ Larger average ticket size

Online menus encourage add-ons, upsells, and combos.

✔ More repeat customers

The ordering system becomes the habit.

✔ Zero commissions with Savvory

Every dollar stays in your pocket — unlike DoorDash’s 20–30% fees.

On average, restaurants see a 15%–30% increase in revenue after implementing online ordering — without lowering prices or giving discounts.

2. Customers Spend More Online Than In Person

When customers order digitally, they:

• Browse longer
• See more items
• Add more extras
• Order impulsively
• Add desserts and drinks
• Choose premium options

This is why the average online order is usually $4–$12 higher than an in-person order.

Discounts may bring customers in the door, but online ordering increases what they buy.

3. Online Ordering Encourages Repeat Behavior (Discounts Don’t)

A discount works once.
A great online ordering experience works forever.

Once a customer uses your online ordering system and enjoys:

• Fast pickup
• Easy checkout
• Saved favorites
• Loyalty points
• Exclusive online-only items

…they’re far more likely to come back directly — not through DoorDash.

This is how restaurants build consistent, predictable repeat customers.

4. Highlighting Special & Limited-Time Offers Increases Sales — Without Heavy Discounts

This is where online ordering becomes powerful.

Instead of “$5 off” or “20% off,” restaurants can use:

⭐ Limited-Time Menu Items

Ex: “BBQ Chicken Flatbread — This Week Only”

These create excitement without reducing price.

⭐ Online-Exclusive Specials

Ex: “Order online and unlock our new Spicy Chicken Wrap”

This drives more people to your direct ordering system.

⭐ Meal Bundles

Ex: “Two Bowls + Two Drinks — Family Night Bundle”

Bundles feel like a deal but actually boost ticket size and profit margin.

⭐ Happy Hour & Slow Day Boosters

You can promote these on your online ordering banner:
“Tuesday Night Pasta Feature — Online Pickup Only”

Zero discount needed — it’s all about visibility.

Savvory makes it easy to highlight these offers in the menu and encourage customers to order directly.

5. Online Ordering Reduces Labor Costs

Discounts never reduce your expenses — but online ordering can.

Digital orders help:

• Lower staff workload
• Reduce phone orders
• Speed up service
• Improve kitchen workflow
• Reduce errors
• Increase efficiency

Restaurants often need fewer front-of-house employees during peak hours once online ordering adoption grows.

Lower labor + higher order volume = higher net profit.

6. Online Ordering Gives You Customer Data — Discounts Don’t

Every time someone orders through Savvory, you grow your customer database:

• Names
• Emails
• Order history
• Frequencies
• Preferred items

This lets you send:

✔ Targeted promotions

✔ Loyalty rewards

✔ Surprise offers

✔ Slow-day boosters

And unlike DoorDash, you own this data — it becomes a long-term marketing asset.

Discounts bring customers once.
Customer data brings them back forever.

7. Online Ordering Increases Visibility Without Paid Advertising

Instead of spending money on:

• Facebook ads
• Google ads
• Printed coupons
• Constant promotions

…your online ordering system becomes its own marketing engine.

When customers scan your QR code, save your menu link, or reorder from recent orders, your restaurant stays top of mind without ongoing marketing costs.

This is traffic you don’t have to pay for every time — unlike discounts or ads.

8. Final Takeaway: Online Ordering Is a Better Investment Than Discounts

Discounts temporarily increase foot traffic.
Online ordering permanently increases profitability.

Here’s the bottom line:

🚫 Discounts reduce margins.

🚫 Discounts train customers to wait for deals.

🚫 Discounts don’t create habits or loyalty.

⭐ Online ordering increases revenue.

⭐ Online ordering boosts repeat customers.

⭐ Online ordering gives you data and control.

⭐ Online ordering increases average checks.

⭐ Online ordering reduces labor and errors.

⭐ Online ordering creates sustainable growth.

For most restaurants, building a strong online ordering channel is far more profitable than running weekly discounts.

Want to Grow Your Online Orders?

We can show you exactly how Savvory can:

• Increase your average ticket size
• Boost repeat pickup orders
• Reduce fees
• Add loyalty features
• Grow long-term revenue

👉 Book a Savvory Discovery Call
👉 See How Savvory Works