Online Ordering Continues to Drive Restaurant Growth in 2025 — Convenience, Technology, and Smart Platforms Like eOrderSTL Shape the Future of Dining.


The Changing Landscape of Restaurant Dining


ST. LOUIS, MO (StLouisRestaurantReview) The restaurant industry has always been an adaptive one—responding to new tastes, technologies, and customer expectations. In 2025, one clear truth remains: online ordering is not a passing trend. It has become an essential component of the modern dining experience, reshaping how restaurants operate, market, and connect with their guests.


Even after the pandemic’s surge in digital adoption, online ordering continues to grow year over year. Delivery platforms, first-party systems, and direct-order technologies are seeing strong consumer demand. According to multiple market indicators, growth across the digital ordering sector remains in the double digits, proving that convenience still drives consumer behavior.


For restaurants in the St. Louis region—whether independent eateries, family-owned cafes, or expanding chains—this presents a tremendous opportunity to compete effectively, reach new customers, and retain loyal ones.

Consumer Expectations Have Changed


Before 2020, many small restaurants viewed online ordering as optional. Today, it’s an expectation. Diners—especially those under 40—rarely call a restaurant to place a takeout order. They expect to browse menus on their phones, customize their meals with a few taps, and receive updates as their food is being prepared.


This shift isn’t just about convenience—it’s about confidence. Guests trust digital platforms to get their orders right, confirm payments instantly, and provide transparency on preparation times. That expectation now defines the restaurant experience as much as the food itself.


The National Restaurant Association’s latest industry outlook shows that more than 60% of customers prefer ordering through a restaurant’s website or app rather than over the phone. More than half report that technology influences where they choose to eat, and over two-thirds say they are more likely to visit restaurants that make ordering easy and seamless.

Marketplaces and First-Party Ordering: The Two-Track System


The digital restaurant landscape now operates on a “two-track” model: marketplace ordering and first-party ordering.


Marketplace platforms—such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub—offer visibility and convenience. They introduce restaurants to new customers, handle logistics, and generate immediate traffic. The trade-off, however, is cost. Commission fees can exceed 25–30% per transaction, eroding already thin margins.


First-party systems—such as eOrderSTL, a St. Louis-based online ordering and marketing platform—allow restaurants to process orders directly on their own websites. This approach helps them retain more profit, collect valuable customer data, and foster repeat business without paying heavy commissions to third-party providers.


The most successful operators in 2025 are using both third-party platforms for discovery and first-party systems for retention. Once a new customer tries the restaurant through a marketplace, the goal is to bring them back through the restaurant’s own online system the next time.

eOrderSTL: Local Technology Empowering Local Restaurants


For independent restaurant owners in the greater St. Louis area, eOrderSTL provides a local, high-value alternative to national platforms. Developed by regional media and digital marketing professionals, eOrderSTL offers full online ordering integration at a fraction of the cost of major third-party apps.


Unlike national platforms that primarily focus on their own brand, eOrderSTL is designed to elevate the restaurant’s identity. Each participating restaurant receives its own SEO-optimized web page, online menu, and integrated payment processing. Orders go directly to the restaurant—keeping profits local while also enhancing visibility through eOrderSTL’s marketing network.


One of eOrderSTL’s key differentiators is its AI-driven digital marketing. The system automatically promotes participating restaurants through social media, email, and search engine optimization, helping owners expand their digital footprint without additional marketing expenses. For many local operators, this “built-in promotion” is as valuable as the ordering platform itself.


Restaurants that join eOrderSTL can still maintain listings on major marketplaces but have the flexibility to encourage customers to order directly for pickup or local delivery. This balanced approach builds long-term customer relationships while reducing dependency on high-commission intermediaries.

Online Ordering by the Numbers


Recent data confirms that the digital dining economy continues to grow:

DoorDash reported more than 20% year-over-year growth in gross order volume in 2025.


Uber Eats experienced double-digit increases in restaurant partnerships and delivery transactions.


Toast, a major point-of-sale and online-ordering provider, reports that digital ordering now accounts for more than 35% of all restaurant transactions among its 148,000-plus U.S. restaurant clients.

These numbers demonstrate that consumers have not retreated from digital ordering after the pandemic. Instead, they have integrated it permanently into their dining habits.

Why First-Party Ordering Matters


The ability to manage one’s own online orders has become a strategic necessity. First-party systems allow restaurants to:

Control their customer data. Knowing who ordered, when, and what enables more innovative marketing and loyalty programs.


Improve profit margins. Without 25–30% commission fees, profits remain in-house.


Customize user experience. Restaurants can design their own menus, manage promotions, and update specials instantly.


Build brand recognition. Every order comes through the restaurant’s website, not a third-party app.


Expand marketing reach. Platforms like eOrderSTL automatically generate Google-indexed listings that boost visibility across the web.

For local restaurants operating on thin margins, these benefits can make the difference between surviving and thriving.

The Role of Marketing Integration


Online ordering isn’t just about technology—it’s about visibility. Many restaurants have found that simply having an ordering page isn’t enough. It must be seen. That’s where integrated marketing systems like eOrderSTL stand out.


Each restaurant listed on eOrderSTL gains exposure through an interconnected network that includes STL.Directory, STL.News, and St. Louis Restaurant Review. This structure creates organic backlinks that help restaurants rank higher on Google, Apple News, and other platforms.


Because the listings are locally curated, the system favors independent restaurants that might otherwise struggle to compete with larger chains in search results. The synergy between digital ordering and digital marketing ensures that restaurants don’t just process online orders—they actually grow their customer base.

Pickup and Delivery: Both Here to Stay


One of the most interesting trends of 2025 is the rise of pickup orders in the online ordering ecosystem. As inflation and delivery fees rise, many consumers prefer ordering online but picking up their food directly from the restaurant.


This behavior benefits both customers and operators: diners save money, and restaurants avoid paying third-party delivery fees. The flexibility of hybrid systems—such as those supported by eOrderSTL—allows restaurants to offer both pickup and delivery through a single interface.

The Future: Loyalty, Data, and Personalization


The next stage of online ordering evolution is personalization. Restaurants are beginning to use data from online orders to tailor marketing campaigns, offer personalized deals, and automate loyalty programs.


Imagine a customer who orders pad thai every Thursday. An intelligent system can automatically send a message offering a free spring roll with their next order or remind them of an upcoming holiday special.


This type of personalized marketing builds loyalty in ways traditional advertising can’t. Platforms like eOrderSTL already integrate these technologies, allowing restaurants to compete on sophistication without the cost of a national brand’s tech team.

Small Restaurants, Big Advantages


Independent restaurants often have something national chains can’t replicate: authenticity and community connection. Online ordering enhances those strengths rather than replacing them.


A local Thai café, pizza shop, or barbecue joint can use first-party ordering to simplify the process while still showcasing its brand personality. Photos, chef notes, and menu updates can be instantly shared, maintaining a personal touch even through a digital interface.


In St. Louis, where neighborhood restaurants define the city’s food identity, this local advantage matters. Platforms like eOrderSTL help turn that authenticity into online visibility, connecting neighborhood favorites with tech-savvy diners.

Lessons from the National Market


The broader restaurant tech market offers a few clear lessons for St. Louis operators:

Digital convenience wins repeat business. Diners choose the easiest path. If your website makes ordering fast, they’ll return.


Commission costs matter. Balancing third-party exposure with first-party control maximizes both visibility and profit.


Mobile experience is non-negotiable. Over 75% of all online food orders are made on mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out.


Search optimization drives discovery. SEO-optimized menus and profiles help small restaurants appear alongside national chains in local search results.

These factors explain why first-party systems with built-in SEO, like eOrderSTL, are increasingly attractive to local operators.

Building a Smarter Digital Presence


For restaurant owners evaluating their technology strategy in 2025, a good approach is layered:

Start with a first-party platform. Use an affordable system such as eOrderSTL to build your online presence, ordering menu, and brand identity.


Integrate with marketplaces. Use DoorDash or Uber Eats for exposure, but encourage repeat customers to order directly next time.


Promote your own links. Include QR codes on tables, bags, and receipts directing guests to your own ordering page.


Automate marketing. Use built-in email or SMS systems to remind customers of specials, loyalty rewards, or new menu items.


Monitor analytics. Review which items sell best online, when your traffic peaks, and how customers respond to promotions.

This approach not only reduces dependency on third-party platforms but also builds a foundation for long-term growth.

Conclusion: Digital Dining Is Here to Stay


The data and the customer behavior both point in one direction: online ordering is still expanding—and it’s now essential.


For restaurant owners, the key question isn’t whether to offer online ordering, but how to do it strategically and profitably. Choosing the right partner makes all the difference.


Local platforms like eOrderSTL empower restaurants to retain control, grow visibility, and compete effectively without losing margins to large national apps. By combining online ordering, marketing integration, and SEO visibility, eOrderSTL helps local restaurants future-proof their business while keeping profits and customer relationships close to home.


As the St. Louis dining scene continues to evolve, those who embrace technology intelligently—balancing convenience, brand control, and digital marketing—will not only survive but thrive in the years ahead.


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