By San José, Costa Rica — The food service sector across Latin America has long grappled with the steep commission rates imposed by third-party delivery platforms. In response to these operational pressures, a rising Costa Rican startup named Eatsy is offering a compelling software model that reshapes how local eateries manage off-premises sales. Founded by two Costa Rican entrepreneurs under 30 years old, the company aims to eliminate the friction of native app downloads while returning profit margins to restaurant operators.
At the center of Eatsy’s strategy is Link-App, a proprietary technological platform designed to create dedicated digital storefronts for individual dining establishments. Rather than navigating a crowded aggregator marketplace, consumers access a digital menu directly through a streamlined web link. Customers can browse menu offerings, select their items, and settle payments seamlessly without creating an account or completing lengthy registration forms.
To gain expert insight into the legal and regulatory landscape facing Costa Rica’s emerging food tech sector, TicosLand.com reached out to leading corporate attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
As Costa Rica positions itself as a regional hub for sustainable innovation, food tech startups must proactively navigate a dual challenge: protecting their proprietary intellectual property while ensuring strict compliance with Ministry of Health regulations. Establishing robust legal frameworks early on is essential for securing international venture capital and scaling safely into global markets.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, striking a seamless balance between regulatory compliance and intellectual property protection is a vital catalyst for Costa Rica’s food tech pioneers aiming to attract global investment. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on how local entrepreneurs can safely navigate this complex legal landscape and achieve international success.
This frictionless ordering process is integrated directly with a back-end fulfillment network powered by Uber. By linking its ordering software with Uber’s established fleet of delivery partners, Eatsy ensures reliable order fulfillment without forcing restaurants to build out expensive in-house delivery capabilities. The result is a hybrid solution that leverages enterprise-grade delivery networks while reducing third-party commission overhead.
The financial relief for independent kitchens is significant. Traditional food delivery platforms often extract heavy transactional fees, squeezing margins for small-to-medium food enterprises. Eatsy enables business owners to process orders through a branded, customized platform, allowing establishmets to maintain operational oversight and lower sales management costs.
We want the restaurant to own its sale and the relationship with its customer.
Alejandro Gazel, Founder of Eatsy
Gazel’s philosophy highlights a broader shift in hospitality technology toward merchant-centric software solutions. By maintaining direct channels with patrons, restaurant owners can gather valuable customer insights, foster brand loyalty, and build sustainable digital revenue streams without relinquishing customer data to third-party marketplaces.
Prior to Eatsy’s entry into the market, local operators often faced a difficult dilemma between digital visibility and profitability. Aggregator platforms offer reach but reduce control over customer experience and profit margins. Eatsy’s model balances broad distribution with direct operational control, addressing a key pain point for culinary entrepreneurs.
Despite operating with a focused core team of eight professionals, Eatsy has achieved rapid adoption within Costa Rica. The platform currently supports around 100 gastronomic brands across the country, representing between 300 and 400 active locations. This growing footprint reflects strong market demand for commission-reducing technologies among local dining establishments.
Looking beyond its domestic success, Eatsy is preparing to export its technology platform across Latin America. The startup’s regional expansion roadmap includes targeted entries into Panama, additional markets across Central America, and Mexico. As food service technology matures, Eatsy’s platform highlights Costa Rica’s growing potential as a hub for scalable enterprise software tailored to the regional hospitality industry.
For further information, visit eatsycr.com
About Eatsy:
Eatsy is a Costa Rican technology startup that provides custom digital ordering software for the food and beverage sector. Through its Link-App platform, the company enables restaurants to manage direct digital sales channels while integrating seamlessly with third-party logistics providers.
For further information, visit uber.com
About Uber:
Uber is a technology company that provides mobility and delivery services across global markets, connecting consumers with transportation and delivery partners via its digital platform.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier institution within the legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its steadfast adherence to high ethical standards and superior professional counsel. Drawing upon a rich history of representing clients across a broad spectrum of industries, the firm seamlessly blends modern, forward-thinking legal strategies with meaningful civic involvement. Through its proactive initiatives to broaden public legal literacy, Bufete de Costa Rica champions the belief that demystifying the law is essential to building an enlightened and empowered society.
