What Uber Merchant is and who it serves

Uber Merchant is Uber's platform for restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses to list their menus, manage orders, and connect with delivery drivers. It is not a separate app — it is a set of tools within Uber's existing ecosystem that lets a business owner control what appears on the Uber Eats app, set prices, track incoming orders in real time, and arrange fulfillment (either through Uber drivers or the business's own delivery staff).

The program is designed for any food business that wants to reach Uber's customer base without building its own ordering system. A restaurant can use Merchant to list items, set availability by time of day, adjust prices for delivery orders, and see which dishes are selling. A grocery store can do the same for packaged goods. The business pays Uber a commission on each order — the rate varies by location and business type, typically ranging from 15% to 30% of the order total.

Uber Merchant is separate from being an Uber driver or delivery partner. A restaurant owner uses Merchant to receive orders; a delivery driver uses the Uber Driver app to pick up and deliver those orders. Some restaurants also hire their own delivery staff and use Merchant to manage those pickups instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Merchant lets a restaurant or food business list its menu on Uber Eats, manage orders in real time, and set prices specific to delivery orders.
  • The business pays Uber a commission per order, which varies by location and business type but typically falls between 15% and 30%.
  • A restaurant can choose to use Uber's drivers, hire its own delivery staff, or use a mix of both to fulfill orders.
  • Merchant provides a dashboard where the business owner can see incoming orders, track driver location, and adjust menu availability without logging into a separate system.
  • Setup requires a business license, tax ID, and a bank account for payouts, and the process typically takes a few days to a week.

How to set up a Merchant account

To open a Merchant account, a business owner goes to the Uber for Business website and selects the option to add a restaurant or food business. Uber will ask for the business name, address, phone number, business license number, and tax ID. The owner also provides bank account details for payouts — Uber deposits earnings directly to that account, usually weekly.

Next, the owner uploads a menu. This can be done by typing items one by one into Merchant's menu builder, uploading a spreadsheet if the menu is large, or importing from a POS (point-of-sale) system if Uber has integrated with that system. Each item needs a name, description, price, and category (appetizers, mains, desserts, and so on). The owner can also set modifiers — options like "no onions" or "extra cheese" — and upload photos.

Uber then reviews the account, usually within a few days. Once approved, the menu goes live on the Uber Eats app in that business's delivery area. The owner receives a login to the Merchant dashboard, where they can see orders as they come in, mark items as sold out, and adjust hours of operation.

Commission rates and how Uber calculates payouts

Uber charges a commission on every order placed through Merchant. The rate is not fixed — it depends on the city, the type of business, and sometimes the specific restaurant's agreement with Uber. A typical range is 15% to 30% of the order subtotal (before tax and delivery fees). Some cities or business types may fall outside that range.

The commission covers Uber's costs for hosting the menu, processing the payment, customer support, and maintaining the platform. It does not cover the delivery driver's pay — that comes from a separate pool funded by delivery fees that customers pay at checkout.

Payouts are calculated weekly. Uber subtracts the commission from the order total, then deposits the remainder into the business's bank account. The owner can log into Merchant to see a detailed breakdown of each order, commission charged, and running balance. Some businesses also receive statements by email.

Delivery options: Uber drivers, your own staff, or both

A restaurant using Merchant can choose how orders get delivered. The most common route is to let Uber assign the order to one of its drivers — the customer pays a delivery fee, and Uber handles driver assignment, tracking, and payment. The restaurant does not manage the driver; it just prepares the food and marks the order ready for pickup.

Alternatively, a restaurant can use its own delivery staff. When an order comes in through Merchant, the owner can assign it to an in-house driver instead of requesting an Uber driver. This works well for restaurants with existing delivery operations or those in dense neighborhoods where they can handle multiple deliveries per hour. The restaurant pays those drivers directly and is responsible for their scheduling and vehicle insurance.

Many restaurants use a hybrid approach: Uber drivers for orders outside their usual delivery zone or during slow periods, and in-house staff for nearby orders during busy times. Merchant's dashboard lets the owner switch between these options order by order.

Managing orders and real-time menu updates

Once live, the owner logs into the Merchant dashboard to see incoming orders. Each order shows the customer's address, items ordered, any special requests, and the time it was placed. The owner can confirm receipt, mark the order as being prepared, and notify the driver when it is ready for pickup.

If an item runs out during service, the owner can mark it as unavailable in Merchant — it disappears from the Uber Eats app when ready, so new customers cannot order it. This prevents overselling and the need to cancel orders later. The owner can also set hours of operation, so the menu only appears to customers during those times.

Merchant also tracks which items sell best, how long orders take to prepare, and customer ratings and reviews. This data helps the owner decide which menu items to promote, which to remove, and whether to adjust prices or portion sizes.

Fees beyond commission: payment processing and other costs

The commission is the main cost, but there are others. Uber charges a payment processing fee on each order — this is typically 2% to 3% of the order total and covers credit card processing and fraud prevention. Some cities or business types may have different rates.

If the restaurant uses Uber's drivers, there is no separate driver fee — that is built into the delivery fee the customer pays. If the restaurant uses its own drivers, there is no additional charge to Merchant, but the restaurant bears the cost of payroll, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.

Uber also offers optional add-ons, such as Uber Ads (promoted placement on the Uber Eats app) and integration with third-party delivery platforms. These are not required to use Merchant but cost extra if the owner chooses them.

Comparing Merchant to other delivery platforms

Uber Merchant is one of several ways a restaurant can reach delivery customers. DoorDash for Merchants and Grubhub for Restaurants work similarly — the restaurant lists its menu, pays a commission per order, and can choose to use the platform's drivers or its own. Commission rates and features vary slightly between platforms.

Some restaurants list on all three platforms to maximize reach. Others choose one based on which has the largest customer base in their area, or which offers the best commission rate. A few restaurants build their own ordering website and delivery app, but this requires significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.

The main trade-off is reach versus control. Using Merchant gives a restaurant access to millions of Uber Eats users but means paying commission on every order and following Uber's policies on pricing, menu changes, and customer disputes. Running a standalone ordering system gives the restaurant full control but requires building an audience from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for Merchant?

Approval typically takes three to seven days after you submit your process. Uber reviews your business license, tax ID, and menu during this time. If information is missing or unclear, Uber may ask for clarification, which can extend the timeline. Once approved, your menu goes live on Uber Eats in your delivery area.

Can I change my menu prices on Merchant without changing them in my restaurant?

Yes. Many restaurants set higher prices on delivery platforms to account for commission and delivery fees. You can set one price in your restaurant and a different price in Merchant. You can also create delivery-only items or promotions that do not appear in your physical location.

What happens if a customer complains about their order?

Uber handles customer disputes through its app. If a customer reports a missing item or quality issue, Uber may issue a refund or credit. The refund comes out of your payout for that order, so you lose both the commission and the order value. Keeping order quality high and communicating clearly with drivers helps reduce disputes.

Do I have to use Uber drivers, or can I always use my own?

You can choose. If you select "merchant delivery" in Merchant, orders go to your own staff. If you select "Uber delivery," Uber assigns a driver. You can switch between these options per order, so you have flexibility based on your capacity and the customer's location.

Can I see how much I am earning from Merchant compared to in-restaurant sales?

Yes. The Merchant dashboard shows each order's revenue, commission, and payout. You can filter by date range and export reports. This data helps you understand which channel is more profitable and whether the commission rate is worth the reach Uber provides.