4 Reasons Why Every Restaurant Needs Its Own Website in 2025

Let's be honest: delivery app fees are killing your margins.

You're handing over 20-30% of every order, your Instagram posts aren't converting to sales, and guests searching "best [your cuisine] near me" on Google? They're finding your competitors instead.

Here's why 69% of restaurant operators now have their own website, and why you need one too.
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Social Media and Delivery Platforms Leave Money on the Table

When someone searches "Italian restaurant near me" on Google, your Instagram profile won't show up. Neither will your DoorDash listing. You're invisible to 90% of guests who research restaurants online before dining.

The search traffic you're missing:

• Local "near me" searches (grown 500% in recent years)

• Specific dish searches ("best ramen in Boston")

• High-intent guests ready to book or order

• 60% of guests who prefer ordering directly from restaurant websites

Social platforms are built for scrolling, not searching. Delivery apps only show you to people already on their platform. Without a website, you're missing the entire search engine channel where guests are actively looking for what you offer.
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Direct Ordering Means You Keep Your Profits

Here's the math that matters: A meal earning you 15% profit in-house can become a 7% loss after delivery app fees.

The true cost of third-party platforms:

• Commission fees: 15-30% per order

• Marketing fees: Additional 3-5% for "visibility"

• Processing fees: Another 2-3% on top

• Hidden "small order" fees your guests hate

Meanwhile, restaurants with direct ordering through their own websites keep 100% of revenue (minus payment processing of 2-3%).

What you can do with a website:

• Set your own fees and minimums

• Offer a loyalty program (email marketing, SMS, etc.)

• Launch promotions without restrictions

• Own your guest data and relationships

Fully managed solutions like Peppr Grow help independent restaurants set up commission-free online ordering sites quickly, so you can keep more of what you earn.

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AI Makes Website Management Simple

Forget what you think you know about websites being complicated. In 2025, there are solutions that make it easier and more automated than ever before.

73% of restaurants increased their technology investments last year, and the smart money is on tools that do all the heavy lifting and don’t require you to be a full-time marketer (while you try to run your restaurant):

What's available now:

• AI chatbots that handle reservations and questions 24/7

• Automated email campaigns that bring guests back

• Dynamic content that updates based on what's working

• One-click menu updates across all platforms

But here's what matters most: AI search tools like ChatGPT only recommend restaurants with optimized websites. No website means you're invisible to both Google and the next-generation AI search tools.

The earlier you start, the stronger your online presence becomes. Peppr Grow makes it simple to launch and manage your restaurant's digital marketing, even without technical knowledge.
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Future-Proof Your Restaurant

The restaurant industry is projected to hit $1.5 trillion in 2025 and a website isn't just another expense, it's your growth foundation:

• Attract: Be findable everywhere guests search, not just where they scroll

• Convert: Turn browsers into diners with menus, photos, and reservations

• Retain: Use loyalty rewards to learn more about your guests and send them offers  

• Scale: Add catering, sell merch, and host events all through a platform you control
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The Bottom Line

Every month without a website means more commission fees, missed search traffic, and guests you'll never know about. While you're debating, your competitors are capturing more of your market share.

Ready to stop renting your online presence and start owning it?  

Peppr Grow can help put your restaurant growth on autopilot with an SEO-optimized website, streamlined online ordering, and loyalty and marketing that actually resonate with your target audience.