Noon Food Drops Commission Fees to Boost UAE’s Local Eateries

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 7-04-2026

3 min

Noon Food launches “Local Supports Local” to ease pressure on UAE eateries.

New restaurants pay zero commission until 30 April 2026.

Only a 2% payment fee applies, easing tight margins.

The app promises greater visibility, “born here, not imported”.

Long-term impact depends on uptake after the zero-commission window closes.

Noon Food has rolled out a new campaign designed to give homegrown restaurants in the UAE a bit of breathing space at what many in the sector admit is a tough moment. The initiative, called “Local Supports Local”, is built around a simple idea: cut costs for independent eateries and help them reach more customers without the usual financial strain.

At the centre of the move is an eye-catching incentive. Newly onboarded restaurants will pay zero commission on orders until 30 April 2026. The only cost applying during this period is a 2% payment gateway fee. For small operators juggling rent, staffing and rising ingredient prices, that kind of saving could make a real difference.

I’ve spoken to enough founders in the food and beverage space to know that commission fees can be a real sticking point. For early-stage restaurants especially, handing over a sizeable cut of every order can feel like running on a treadmill, lots of movement, not always much progress. So, on the face of it, this offer seems spot on for businesses trying to steady the ship.

The campaign also promises greater visibility within the noon Food app. Newly joined outlets will benefit from enhanced exposure, which in theory should help drive more orders and brand awareness. And believe it or not, visibility on large delivery platforms can sometimes be just as valuable as financial incentives. Being discoverable is half the battle.

The messaging behind the initiative is clear: “Born here. Not imported.” With that line, noon Food is positioning itself as closely aligned with the UAE’s local F&B ecosystem, backing concepts that were built in the same communities they serve. On the flip side, competition among delivery platforms in the region is fierce, so moves like this also underline how important it is to win, and keep, local partners.

Consumers, for their part, are being encouraged to explore homegrown brands through the platform. It’s a reminder that supporting local is not just a hashtag; it’s often a daily choice about where you order your lunch or Friday night dinner. At Arageek, we’ve always believed that small businesses are the heartbeat of the startup scene, and I’ve seen first-hand how a timely boost, even a temporary one, can change a founder’s outlook completely.

That said, the long-term impact of such initiatives will depend on how many restaurants join and whether the momentum carries on after the zero-commission window closes. Offers like this can definately spark interest. The bigger question is what happens next.

Still, in a market where margins are tight and competition is intense, cutting commission to zero, even for a limited time, is no small gesture. For many local restaurant owners, it could be just the nudge they need to scale up, reach new diners and, hopefully, keep their kitchens busy. In this climate, every little helps.

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