The Aggregator Trap Is Real — Escape It with uEngage Edge

“Every order you get through aggregators is a customer you might never see again.”

Did you know? The average restaurant in India gives away nearly 1.5 to 2 lakhs/month in aggregator commissions. That’s not just money lost , it’s loyalty, brand value, and long-term growth slipping through your fingers.

Let’s be real , if you’re running a restaurant in 2025, you’ve already felt the pressure of the aggregator trap. You’re spending lakhs on ingredients, rent, and staff, only to watch 30% of every order go to Somato Zwiggy, along with your customer data and brand visibility.

Aggregator platforms might bring you traffic, but they’re quietly eroding your margins, brand control, and long-term customer loyalty.

This is exactly where uEngage Edge steps in , your full-stack, D2C ordering platform built for restaurants, by restaurant experts.

The Aggregator Trap: What You’re Really Losing

Here’s what you’re actually giving up when you don’t go direct:

• 1,00,000 in monthly commissions (and growing)
• Your customer database – no phone numbers = no loyalty = no growth
• Your unique brand identity – customers remember the app, not you
• Your ability to scale profitably – it’s hard to expand when 30% of your revenue vanishes

"I was doing volume through Somato, but had no repeat customers. Once I launched with Edge, 70% of my orders now come directly." – Owner, Sector 7 Cafe, Chandigarh

“I realized I wasn’t building my business. I was building theirs.” – Co-owner, Tandoori Tales, Ludhiana

And let’s not forget the commission stack , not only do you pay 20-30% per order, but you’re also forced into advertising spends to appear higher in the aggregator listings. You’re essentially paying twice to sell your food.

The Customer Journey Is Broken

When a customer places an order through an aggregator, they:

• Don’t see your offers or loyalty perks
• Are unlikely to return directly to your brand
• Associate your food with the aggregator, not your restaurant

The result? You become invisible in your own customer’s mind.

Edge flips this experience. You become the central brand again.

What Makes uEngage Edge the D2C Power Tool for F&B

Edge isn’t just a website or app , it’s a complete restaurant commerce engine. Here's what you get:

 Branded Ordering Website & App

Get a white-labeled platform that reflects your brand, not someone else’s. Customers order directly from you. Imagine customers searching for you, not digging through a sea of tiles.

 Customer Data Ownership

What gets measured gets managed. Edge puts all your customer data at your fingertips , preferences, order history, last interaction , so you can run smarter campaigns.

Zero Commission Model

Keep what you earn. Use those margins to improve quality, service, and retention.

Loyalty Programs That Work

Birthday rewards. Cashback on 3rd orders. Reorder nudges. All automated inside uEngage Prism. Customers don’t just come once , they keep coming back.

 WhatsApp & SMS Campaigns

Integrated with uEngage Prism, you can re-engage lost users, send order updates, run deals, and boost repeat orders on autopilot.

POS Integration

Connect Edge seamlessly with your POS to avoid double entries and streamline operations.

Insightful Reporting

View daily performance, track returning customers, and analyze campaign ROI. Edge doesn’t just power orders , it powers decisions.

"We moved from aggregator-heavy dependency to 60% direct orders within 4 months of using Edge. Our customer loyalty scores also shot up." – The Burger Club, Delhi

What Going D2C Looks Like (With Edge)

• Launch your app in less than 3 weeks
• Save up to 1.5 lakh/month in aggregator commissions
• Run WhatsApp retargeting campaigns with 8x ROI
• Increase repeat orders with built-in loyalty tools

Whether you're a QSR, Cloud Kitchen, Fine Dining, or Café, uEngage Edge helps you regain control and scale sustainably.

Many brands using Edge also report increased control over packaging, delivery SLAs, and branding at the doorstep. That’s long-term recall.

What Most F&B Owners Get Wrong About D2C

Most restaurant owners think:

“If I build my app, customers won’t use it.”

Truth: Over 60% of customers prefer ordering directly when it means better discounts, faster service, and loyalty points.

“When we started offering 10% off on our website with cashback, 3 out of 5 orders started coming directly.” – The Waffle Jar, Mohali

And guess what? With uEngage Edge, the ordering experience feels just as smooth , only now, it’s your brand, your margins, and your rules.

Real Stats from Edge Users

•  22% increase in repeat orders via loyalty automation
•  40% drop in support calls with in-app order tracking
• 1.8Lakhs avg saved/month for brands switching to D2C with Edge
• 3x higher open rates on WhatsApp campaigns (vs email)

“We were losing Rs.40 on every Rs.100 we earned on Zwiggy. With Edge, we flipped that to a 25% profit margin per order.” – Founder, Biryani Co., Gurugram

Why Now? Because the Cost of Waiting Is Higher

The longer you remain aggregator-dependent, the more challenging it becomes to build your customer base. Every order placed on a third-party app is a missed chance to:

• Build a long-term relationship
• Understand buyer behavior
• Drive repeat business

Add to that the increasing commission structures, reduced discoverability, and inability to remarket your customer, and the real cost becomes painfully clear.

“Direct is the future. Aggregators were just a phase. With Edge, I finally feel like I own my brand again.” – Co-founder, The Rollery

 Ready to Break Free?

Let’s face it , Somato isn’t going anywhere. But your dependency on it can.

The smartest restaurants in India aren’t quitting Somato. They’re building a parallel, profitable engine with Edge.

1.  More margin.
2.  More data.
3. More customer control.

So the real question is , how long will you keep paying for customers that should already be yours?

uEngage Edge helps you:

• Own the customer journey
• Build your brand identity
• Drive repeat orders
• Cut commission losses

 Launch Your Edge Today

Your brand. Your data. Your customer. Finally.