Image Credit: Barry’s Burgers
Barry’s Burgers in Semaphore is taking aim at Uber Eats, urging customers to skip the delivery giant and order direct through its own website instead.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, the burger joint introduced its new delivery system and asked locals for feedback.
“Hey legends, we’re trialling a new delivery system through our website. What works, what doesn’t, what makes it easier to get a burger without leaving your house and breathing in the fresh, salty air of our beautiful beachside store,” the team shared.
The post didn’t mince words about the reasons behind the move. Uber Eats, they said, had become “relatively evil,” introducing AI-driven rules and taking hefty fees from every order.
“Why should some faceless overseas tech company dictate how we sell a humble hamburger in little old Semaphore?” the post read. “They take a chunk of your money and ours.”
Barry’s has been on Uber Eats for close to eight years, one of the first in Adelaide to jump on board. But owner Chris Ratnaike, the man behind the Facebook posts, says the balance has shifted.
“I was calculating the fees we’ve paid over that time and thought, that’s a lot of money,” he explains.
“Then a month ago Uber sent out an email saying our in-store pricing had to match our Uber menu. Obviously everyone marks up on Uber to cover some of the cost.”
The frustration didn’t stop there.
“When you order Uber Eats you expect a markup. It’s not businesses ripping you off – it’s them trying to make ends meet,” says Chris.
“But now there’s delivery fees, service fees, the 30 per cent Uber cut … in reality it’s 45 to 50 per cent. The driver’s not getting it, the restaurant’s not getting it. So where’s the money going?”
The message struck a chord. Locals jumped on the comments with support, many recalling how they’d backed Barry’s during COVID-19 when the venue first explained how little of each Uber order reached them.
“Straight up best burgers and we always collect or eat in,” one customer wrote. Another added, “We gotchu! Small business for the win.”
The outpouring clearly resonated. “Didn’t think that post would blow up like it did,” was shared to the Facebook page on August 12. “From my overworked, small-business-loving heart, thank you.”
Since the post, Uber Eats sales have noticeably dipped while direct orders have surged, a shift Chris sees as proof that customers are willing to change habits once they understand where their money goes.
Direct ordering isn’t new for Barry’s, the option has always been there, but this system lets customers get delivery via DoorDash drivers while ensuring the restaurant actually sees the money.
“It’s completely fair,” Chris says. “If a small business can make back even $500 to $2000 a week by keeping sales direct, why wouldn’t you do it?”
It’s also about keeping dollars local. “When you spend a dollar directly with us, the whole dollar goes to the butcher, the fruit and veg guy, the landlord – all part of the community,” he adds.
“That sounds a lot better than funneling money into some slick celebrity ad campaign.”
At the heart of it is a belief in what small business brings.
“Small business is someone’s dream,” he says. “The more of them, the better. That’s how you get innovation, creativity, and cool products – not the same big business stuff over and over again.”
So if you’re local to Semaphore, or just in the mood for a juicy burger layered with goodness (self-described as “Adelaide’s BEST”), Barry’s new ordering system is worth a try. Who knows, you might even be treated to a surprise gift, “like a napkin.”
And next time you’re tempted to order takeaway, maybe rethink Uber Eats and check if your favourite local spot offers direct ordering instead. For businesses, Barry’s approach is a reminder that cutting out the middleman can keep money in the community, protect margins, and turn “a little boy’s dream” into a long-lasting neighbourhood institution.
What: Barry’s Burgers’ direct ordering system
Where: Barry’s Burgers, 1/13 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore
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For the website, click here.
