Most restaurant owners in Bangladesh use food delivery marketplaces to receive online orders and reach new customers. These platforms can be useful for bringing new customers to a restaurant, but marketplace commissions can also reduce the amount a restaurant keeps from every order.
For restaurants with hundreds or thousands of online orders every month, this can become a significant expense. The more the restaurant grows, the more important it becomes to have a way to receive online orders directly without paying marketplace commission on every sale.
This is where Engaze comes in. Engaze is a zero-commission online ordering system for restaurants in Bangladesh that allows restaurants to take orders directly from customers through their own branded online ordering channel. Restaurants can then use third-party delivery services such as PandaGo and Pathao Delivery to deliver those orders.
The model is simple: take the food order directly, keep the food-sale revenue, and use a delivery service only when you need delivery. The applicable delivery charge still applies, but there is no marketplace commission on the direct food order.
This article explains how zero-commission online ordering works, why it matters for Bangladeshi restaurants, how Engaze works with third-party delivery services, and how restaurants can use direct ordering to build their own customer base.
Why zero commission matters for restaurants
Restaurant profit depends on much more than sales. Food ingredients, staff salaries, rent, utilities, packaging, marketing, and delivery all take a portion of the revenue.
When a restaurant also pays a percentage of every online food order to a marketplace, the remaining margin can become even smaller.
This is especially important for restaurants that already have a strong customer base. If a customer orders from the same restaurant every week, the restaurant may continue paying marketplace commission on that customer's orders even though the customer already knows and trusts the brand.
A zero-commission ordering system gives restaurants another option.
Instead of sending every customer through a marketplace, the restaurant can accept the order directly through its own online ordering system and keep control of the customer relationship.
The difference between ordering and delivery
Online food ordering and food delivery are two different services.
A marketplace can provide both. The customer discovers the restaurant, places the food order, and may receive the food through the marketplace's delivery network.
But restaurants do not necessarily need to combine these two services.
With Engaze, the restaurant can take the food order directly and then use a third-party delivery service to fulfil it.
The process can be:
Customer → Engaze Online Ordering → Restaurant → PandaGo / Pathao Delivery → Customer
The customer orders directly from the restaurant.
The restaurant receives and prepares the order.
The delivery partner handles the physical delivery.
This separation is the foundation of zero-commission direct ordering.
Why repeat customers should order directly
Third-party marketplaces can be useful for customer discovery. Someone searching for food nearby may discover your restaurant for the first time through a marketplace.
But once that customer becomes familiar with your restaurant, there is a strong reason to encourage them to order directly.
With Engaze, restaurants can create their own ordering channel and encourage customers to use it for future orders.
This means the restaurant can gradually move from:
Marketplace customer → Repeat marketplace customer
to:
Marketplace customer → Direct customer → Loyal direct customer
That can help restaurants reduce their dependence on marketplace commissions over time.
How much can marketplace commission cost a restaurant?
The exact commercial terms vary between platforms, restaurants, agreements, promotions, and other factors. Therefore, restaurants should always calculate their actual costs using their own agreements and settlement statements.
However, the basic calculation is simple.
Imagine a restaurant generates ৳10 lakh in online food sales every month through a marketplace.
If the restaurant's effective marketplace commission were 20%, that would represent:
৳10,00,000 × 20% = ৳2,00,000 per month
Over one year:
৳2,00,000 × 12 = ৳24,00,000
The actual percentage will vary, but the example shows why commission becomes increasingly important as online sales grow.
What happens with direct orders?
Now imagine that the same restaurant receives those orders directly through its own Engaze ordering system.
There is zero marketplace commission on those direct food orders.
The restaurant may still have other costs, such as payment processing or delivery charges, but it is no longer paying a marketplace percentage simply because the customer ordered online.
If the restaurant uses PandaGo or Pathao Delivery, the applicable delivery charge still applies.
The important difference is:
Food order = zero marketplace commission
Delivery = applicable delivery charge
These are separate costs.
Engaze: a zero-commission online ordering system
Engaze is built to help restaurants take online orders directly without paying marketplace commission on those direct food orders.
Instead of sending customers to a third-party food marketplace, restaurants can create their own online ordering channel through Engaze.
Customers can access the restaurant's ordering page and place their orders directly.
The restaurant receives the order through Engaze, manages the preparation process, and can then arrange delivery using its own riders or supported third-party delivery partners.
Take orders directly through your own brand
With Engaze, the restaurant does not need to present itself as just another listing inside a marketplace.
The restaurant can have its own branded online ordering experience.
Customers can order from the restaurant through its website or direct ordering link, while QR codes and social media can be used to bring more customers into the ordering system.
This gives the restaurant greater control over:
Menu and pricing
Promotions
Customer experience
Online ordering
Customer information
Repeat orders
Order management
Most importantly, the customer is ordering directly from the restaurant.
Zero marketplace commission on direct orders
The main benefit is straightforward.
Engaze allows restaurants to take direct online food orders with zero marketplace commission.
The restaurant does not need to pay a third-party food marketplace a percentage simply because the customer placed the order online.
The restaurant keeps control of the food sale while choosing how the order should be delivered.
If the restaurant has its own riders, it can use them.
If it needs additional delivery capacity, it can use third-party delivery services such as PandaGo or Pathao Delivery.
Use PandaGo and Pathao Delivery for fulfilment
A restaurant does not need to build a large delivery fleet just because it wants to accept direct online orders.
Third-party delivery services can handle the physical delivery.
Engaze's delivery management supports third-party delivery integrations, including PandaGo and Pathao Delivery, allowing restaurants to request delivery for their orders. Engaze Delivery Management
This creates a simple workflow:
1. Customer places an order through Engaze
2. Restaurant receives the order
3. Kitchen prepares the food
4. Restaurant requests a delivery rider
5. PandaGo or Pathao Delivery collects the food
6. Customer receives the order
The restaurant therefore does not have to choose between direct ordering and third-party delivery.
It can use both.
PandaGo delivery for direct orders
Restaurants can use PandaGo as a delivery fulfilment option for orders received through their own direct ordering system.
The customer places the food order with the restaurant.
PandaGo handles the delivery.
The applicable delivery charge still applies, but the restaurant does not need to send the food order through a marketplace to use the delivery service.
This gives restaurants more control over their online sales while still providing customers with convenient delivery.
Pathao Delivery for direct orders
The same approach can be used with Pathao Delivery.
A restaurant can receive the order directly through Engaze, prepare the food, and use Pathao Delivery to deliver it to the customer's address.
This can be particularly useful for restaurants that do not want to maintain their own rider fleet for every delivery.
Restaurants can use their own riders for nearby orders and third-party delivery partners when they need additional delivery capacity.
Why direct ordering is better for repeat customers
A restaurant's existing customers are one of its most valuable assets.
These customers already know the food, the brand, and the restaurant.
The challenge is getting them to order directly rather than continuing to place every order through a marketplace.
Build your own customer relationship
When customers order directly through your own ordering system, the restaurant can build a stronger relationship with them.
Engaze can help restaurants manage customer and order information within their restaurant-management system, making it easier to understand customer behaviour and encourage repeat purchases.
Restaurants can use their own ordering channel to promote:
Special offers
Loyalty rewards
New menu items
Combo meals
Seasonal promotions
Repeat-order incentives
The goal is to turn one-time customers into regular direct customers.
Move customers from marketplaces to direct ordering
Restaurants do not need to stop using Foodpanda or Pathao Food.
Instead, they can use marketplaces for customer discovery and Engaze for direct ordering.
For example:
Customer discovers restaurant on marketplace
↓
Customer places first order
↓
Restaurant delivers a great experience
↓
Customer learns about the restaurant's direct ordering channel
↓
Customer places the next order directly
↓
Restaurant receives the direct order with zero marketplace commission
This creates a more sustainable customer relationship.
Engaze combines ordering, POS, and restaurant operations
A direct ordering system becomes even more useful when it is connected to the restaurant's POS and daily operations.
Without integration, staff may have to manually copy online orders into the POS, send separate messages to the kitchen, update inventory separately, and then arrange delivery through another application.
This creates unnecessary work.
Engaze brings these functions together so restaurants can manage their online orders alongside their regular restaurant operations. Engaze Restaurant Ordering Platform
Online ordering and POS in one system
Engaze combines online ordering with restaurant POS functionality.
This means restaurants can manage different order types from a central system, including:
Dine-in
Takeaway
Pickup
Delivery
Direct online orders
QR orders
Instead of managing separate systems for different order channels, the restaurant can manage them from one platform.
QR ordering for direct customer orders
QR ordering can also help restaurants move customers toward direct ordering.
A QR code can be placed on tables, receipts, packaging, promotional materials, or other customer touchpoints.
Customers scan the code and access the restaurant's own ordering system.
This is particularly useful for restaurants that want to encourage customers to order directly rather than relying entirely on marketplace apps.
Zero commission does not mean zero delivery cost
It is important to understand this distinction clearly.
Engaze's zero-commission model applies to the direct food order.
It does not mean that third-party delivery is free.
If a restaurant uses PandaGo or Pathao Delivery, the applicable delivery charge still applies.
If an online payment provider charges a payment-processing fee, that may also apply.
The advantage is that the restaurant does not have to pay a marketplace commission on the food order simply because it was placed online.
This allows the restaurant to control its costs more effectively.
Which restaurants can benefit from Engaze?
Zero-commission direct ordering can be useful for many different restaurant types.
Cloud kitchens
Cloud kitchens depend heavily on delivery orders, making online ordering one of their most important sales channels.
Engaze can help cloud kitchens take direct orders while using third-party delivery services when required.
This allows a delivery-first business to build its own customer base instead of depending entirely on marketplace platforms.
Cafés and quick-service restaurants
Cafés, burger restaurants, pizza shops, fried chicken outlets, biryani restaurants, and other quick-service businesses can use direct ordering to increase repeat sales.
QR ordering can also help restaurants connect customers directly to their own ordering channel.
Full-service restaurants
Full-service restaurants can combine dine-in operations with direct online ordering.
Customers can order at the table through QR codes, place takeaway orders online, or order food for delivery through the restaurant's own ordering system.
Multi-branch restaurants
Restaurants with multiple branches can use a centralised restaurant-management system to monitor sales and operations across locations.
This can make it easier for management to understand branch performance, online sales, inventory, and customer activity.
How to promote your zero-commission ordering system
Having a direct ordering system is only useful if customers know about it.
Restaurants should make their direct ordering channel easy to find.
Add your ordering link everywhere
Your direct ordering link can be promoted through:
Restaurant website
Facebook page
Instagram profile
WhatsApp
Table QR codes
Food packaging
Receipts
Flyers
Social media posts
Digital advertisements
The easier it is for customers to find the ordering page, the more likely they are to use it.
Give customers a reason to order directly
Customers may already be comfortable ordering through Foodpanda or Pathao Food.
Give them a reason to try your direct ordering system.
You can offer:
Direct-order discounts
Exclusive combos
Loyalty rewards
Special menu items
Free or discounted delivery where commercially viable
Direct-order promotions
The goal is to make direct ordering convenient and valuable.
What to look for in a zero-commission ordering system
Not every online ordering platform provides the same experience.
Before choosing a system, restaurants should look at the complete operation rather than focusing only on the commission claim.
POS integration
Your online orders should connect with your POS.
Your staff should not have to manually enter the same order twice.
Delivery integration
The system should support the delivery services your restaurant actually uses.
For Bangladeshi restaurants, integrations with services such as PandaGo and Pathao Delivery can make direct ordering much easier to manage. Engaze Delivery Management
Customer management
The system should help you build your own customer base.
Customer information and order history can help restaurants create better loyalty and repeat-order strategies.
Inventory management
Online orders should also work with your restaurant's inventory operations.
When an item becomes unavailable, your restaurant should be able to manage its availability rather than accepting orders for products that are no longer in stock.
Reporting
Restaurant owners should be able to understand where their sales are coming from.
Reports can help compare dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and direct online sales and identify which channels are generating the most revenue.
Frequently asked questions
What is a zero-commission online ordering system?
A zero-commission online ordering system allows customers to order food directly from a restaurant without the restaurant paying a marketplace commission on that direct food order.
The restaurant can still have other costs such as payment-processing charges or delivery fees.
Is Engaze a zero-commission online ordering system?
Yes. Engaze is positioned as a zero-commission online ordering system for restaurants, allowing restaurants to take direct online food orders without marketplace commission on those direct orders. Restaurants can then manage the orders through Engaze and arrange delivery through their own riders or supported third-party delivery services.
Can I use PandaGo with Engaze?
Yes. Engaze currently lists PandaGo among its third-party delivery integrations. Restaurants can use PandaGo for delivery fulfillment after receiving direct orders through their own ordering channel. Engaze Delivery Management
Can I use Pathao Delivery with Engaze?
Yes. Pathao Delivery is also listed among Engaze's third-party delivery integrations.
This allows restaurants to take the food order directly and use Pathao Delivery for the physical delivery. Engaze Delivery Management
Does zero commission mean there is no delivery charge?
No. Zero commission refers to the marketplace commission on the direct food order.
If you use PandaGo, Pathao Delivery, or another delivery service, the applicable delivery charge still applies.
Do I need to stop using Foodpanda or Pathao Food?
No. Restaurants can continue using food marketplaces to reach new customers.
The goal is to gradually encourage repeat customers to use your own direct ordering channel so you can receive those orders without marketplace commission.
How can I get customers to order directly?
Promote your Engaze ordering link through your website, Facebook, WhatsApp, packaging, receipts, table QR codes, social media, and direct promotions.
Give customers a convenient reason to order directly and make the process as simple as possible.
The bottom line: Take orders directly with zero commission
For restaurants in Bangladesh, the future of online ordering does not have to depend entirely on food marketplaces.
Marketplaces can help you find customers.
But once customers know your restaurant, you can bring them back through your own direct ordering system.
Engaze gives restaurants a zero-commission way to take direct online food orders while still allowing them to use third-party delivery services such as PandaGo and Pathao Delivery.
The model is simple:
Your Customer → Engaze → Your Restaurant → PandaGo / Pathao Delivery → Your Customer
You own the ordering relationship.
You control the food sale.
You can choose how the order is delivered.
And there is zero marketplace commission on your direct food orders.
Use Foodpanda and Pathao Food to discover new customers.
Use Engaze for zero-commission direct ordering.
Use PandaGo and Pathao Delivery for third-party delivery fulfilment.
And build your own direct customer base instead of paying marketplace commission every time an existing customer orders from you.
Engaze — Take Online Orders Directly. Keep More of Every Sale.
