Commission-Free Takeout Comes to SF Restaurants
Early adoption generated more than $200,000 in takeout orders, with a 70% order completion rate.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Dining Out
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Takeout customers in San Francisco can now order directly from restaurants without the commissions that third-party apps charge. Hostie, a San Francisco-based AI guest communications platform, added commission-free takeout ordering to its service this week.
Why it matters
For neighborhood restaurants already stretched thin, the fees charged by delivery apps can eat into already narrow margins, so a direct ordering option matters to the owners who keep these spots open. Early results from the feature, which connects takeout directly to a restaurant's point-of-sale system, suggest local diners will be able to place orders straight with the kitchen.
Early adoption of the takeout feature generated more than $200,000 in orders and more than 18,000 items, with a 70% order completion rate. No comparison to other ordering platforms or to earlier periods was reported, and the number of participating restaurants was not disclosed.
The players
Hostie
An AI-powered guest communications platform based in San Francisco that added commission-free takeout ordering.
Randall Hom
The San Francisco restaurateur who co-founded Hostie and runs Back to Back, a wine bar and pizza restaurant.
The details
Hostie's takeout add-on syncs with restaurant menus and item availability, and orders appear in real time in a central inbox that also handles calls and texts. Integrations with Toast, Olo and Square send completed orders straight to the point-of-sale system, so kitchens get them without manual entry. The feature expands Hostie beyond calls and reservations to cover menu questions, modifications, suggested add-ons and order confirmation.
Timeline
2024: Hostie is co-founded by San Francisco restaurateur Randall Hom.
November 6, 2026: The takeout ordering feature is announced and available now.
Across the Bay
Restaurants across the Bay Area have leaned on commission-based ordering apps for takeout for years, which Hostie's commission-free option offers an alternative to. The feature moves that ordering into the restaurant's own point-of-sale system rather than a separate third-party platform.
If you order takeout from a San Francisco restaurant that uses Hostie, you may be able to place the order directly with the kitchen instead of through a third-party app. Check with your favorite spot to see whether it offers direct ordering.
The takeaway
Commission-free takeout is a growing option for neighborhood restaurants to keep more of each order's revenue. Ask your favorite San Francisco spot whether it accepts direct takeout orders before using a delivery app.
Further reading
For more on how San Francisco's restaurant scene is adapting, browse Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fast Casual.
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