Online ordering system for restaurants in South Africa
An online ordering system lets customers order from your restaurant on your own website, app or WhatsApp, pay online and track delivery — without going through a marketplace. doorbell provides the ordering system and the delivery behind it, for restaurants across Southern Africa from its Cape Town head office.
What an online ordering system includes
- A branded ordering website on mobile and desktop
- Branded iOS and Android apps, if you want them (see branded ordering apps)
- WhatsApp ordering that opens the same checkout
- Digital menus with options, sizes and extras
- Cart, checkout and online payments
- Customer accounts, order history, promotions and vouchers
- An order-management dashboard for each store
- Multi-store support, with delivery zones per store
Ordering software alone is half the job
Many ordering systems stop when the order is placed, which leaves the restaurant to find a driver. doorbell includes the delivery side: driver dispatch, managed drivers, live tracking, delivery confirmation and customer care. That means driver fleet management is part of the channel rather than a separate project. See delivery driver management software.
Your own system next to the marketplaces
Marketplaces charge a commission on each order. Uber Eats publishes South African rates of 30% for delivery and 14% for pickup or self-delivery on its merchant pricing page; the details are in our commission explainer. With your own online ordering system there is no commission on direct orders. Most restaurants keep the marketplaces for discovery and move regulars to their own channel.
Who already runs on doorbell
Foodeez and Score Groceries Discounter run branded ordering apps on doorbell, live on Google Play and the App Store. Romans Pizza is a pilot partner.
Multi-store and franchise groups
Each store can have its own menu, prices, trading hours and delivery zone, with orders routed by address. See franchise direct ordering.
Price, pilot and coverage
The ordering system with managed delivery is R1,000 per store per month, plus payment processing. Start with a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches. doorbell serves Southern Africa from 36 Hampstead Road, Claremont, Cape Town, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Contact info@doorbell.delivery or +27 76 646 5713.
Related: direct ordering + managed delivery, direct delivery app, and manual WhatsApp chat vs a WhatsApp ordering flow.
Common questions
What is an online ordering system for restaurants?
Software that lets customers order and pay on the restaurant's own website, app or WhatsApp, with orders going to the store and on to delivery.
How is it different from Uber Eats or Mr D?
The customer orders from your brand, not a marketplace, and there is no commission on direct orders. Many restaurants use both.
Does doorbell include delivery?
Yes. Driver dispatch, managed drivers, live tracking, customer care and driver fleet management are part of the channel.
Can customers order on WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp ordering opens the same branded checkout as the website and app.
Does it work for several branches?
Yes. Each store gets its own menu, prices, trading hours and delivery zone, with orders routed by the customer's address.
Which businesses use doorbell?
Foodeez and Score Groceries Discounter run branded apps on doorbell. Romans Pizza is a pilot partner.
What does it cost?
R1,000 per store per month, plus payment processing, with no commission on direct orders.
Where does doorbell operate?
Across Southern Africa from its Cape Town head office, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
How do we start?
With a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches.
Related guides
Start with a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches.