A number of takeaways across Belfast have spoken out about the negative impact of third-party ordering platforms.
Although platforms such as Just Eat can bring many positives - such as introducing small takeaways to a larger audience - they also take a commission rate.
These rates, coupled with the rising cost of stock, gas, and electric, mean many takeaway owners are struggling to make ends meet.
Now, they're urging customers to call them or use their websites or apps to order directly, as it means they may receive a discount too.
Colin Maxwell has been running CasaBella pizzeria on the Antrim Road for the past year and a half. This week, he posted on Facebook to let customers know the "massive blow" ordering through Just Eat can have, as he claims the company "are taking over 20% of our business."
Speaking to Belfast Live, Colin said: "When you say to a lot of customers they don't realise. Just Eat is such a big thing, it's so handy - I'm guilty of using it at times.
"But for us, we were just trying to educate, as a lot of takeaways along the street we would talk to are all in the same boat. They're struggling with gas and electric prices shooting away up, then out stock prices too, we've seen a dramatic rise.
"It means our pricing is having to go up, but we're trying to keep them as low as possible at the same time as people don't have it, people are struggling. So we put our post up to let people know if they order direct, they'll save a bit of money, but they're also helping local businesses.
"The problem is Just Eat is such a big platform where if you're not on it, you'll lose custom. I'd say around 60% of our orders come in from there. It's like a catch 22 - you need Just Eat as it helps you find new customers.
"They're good at what they do, but the percentage they take as commission eats away at the profit coming in which pays the bills for the shop to be there. They'll say its 14% but then they add the VAT, service fee, and delivery fee on top. We'll get charged commission on the full thing, not just on the price of the food."
Brown's Award Winning Fish & Chips have been operating from the Suffolk Road in West Belfast for the past 14 years. Owner Gavin Brown said such third-party platforms are now "taking 50-60% of my business."
He added: "We're also having to give them 14% of every transaction including deliveries. I don't think people out there know the impact it has.
"We have an app and people could be using it, but it's a nightmare trying to get people off Just Eat and onto our page. We give a 10% discount and people still don't use it.
"I'd say for people to go to the restaurants and support them directly - it's cheaper for the customer and cheaper for the owner."
Director of the Northern Ireland Takeaway Association, Michael Henderson, said third-party ordering platforms such as Just Eat are "killing the industry."
He said this issue has been at the fore for years, with many of the Association's hundreds of members flagging this as a concern.
"These ordering platforms have a stranglehold over the industry," Michael said.
"They could be taking up to 30% commission plus VAT. Takeaways are having this taken off them, and that's before even thinking about this gas and electric price hike, insurance, stock, then their staff wages. The profit margin takeaway owners are actually getting is very minimal because of all of this.
"Third-party platforms are taking around 60% of all takeaway orders in Northern Ireland. It angers the owners as it's just their money going out as commission. They're feeling helpless."
Many takeaway owners find themselves between a rock and a hard place, Michael continued, as if they turn their third-party machines off they'll miss out on customers.
He added: "We do understand there's a big need for these third-party platforms. Takeaway owners can't turn their machine off - if customers don't order from them, they'll just order from someone else off the app. So they're fearful of turning their machines off and losing their customers, but they don't want to pay the high commission.
"Owners may have to raise their prices, but they don't want to do that as they don't want to punish customers. But they have to keep their business open."
A spokesperson for Just Eat said: “Just Eat is only successful if our restaurant partners are successful. Our commission rates remain competitive, and despite rising external costs, our rates for marketplace restaurants have not changed for the last five years.
"We believe our commission rates are aligned with the value we provide to our partners and we have a track record of helping restaurants prosper. We're committed to adding value to our partners’ businesses on a daily basis, and many grow and flourish through working with Just Eat."
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