How to Create a Food App?

The surge in popularity of food delivery applications is undeniable.

Recent research indicates that a staggering 86% of Americans have embraced the convenience of food delivery apps. Furthermore, an additional 53% of individuals consider food delivery and takeout as indispensable components of their daily routines. This figure significantly rises to 64% when focusing solely on Millennials surveyed.

According to Statista's findings, the projected revenue from online food delivery is set to reach an impressive $96.5 billion by 2027, showcasing a notable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.9% over the upcoming five years.

In essence, the food delivery app market presents lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs. Whether you aim to develop a food delivery app tailored to your restaurant's needs, establish one for a grocery store, or fashion a platform akin to Uber Eats or Grubhub, this is the ideal starting point.

Peruse further to delve into our approach, encompassing the advantages of food delivery apps, associated expenses, and pivotal features for achieving success.

How to Make a Food Delivery App in 6 Simple Steps

Interested in developing your own food delivery app? Simply follow these straightforward steps outlined below.

Step #1 — Validate Your Food Delivery App Concept

Begin by conducting thorough market research. While the potential for significant profits in this industry is evident, it's essential to recognize that a few key players dominate the majority of the food delivery market share. As of Q1 2022, three companies—DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub—command a staggering 97% of the market.

Less than 1% of deliveries are attributed to brands that aren't widely recognized household names.

I'm not sharing this information to discourage you. However, it's important to set realistic expectations. If you aim for your food delivery app to compete with giants like DoorDash and Uber Eats, be prepared for a challenging journey.

Nevertheless, there's still ample opportunity for profitability on a smaller scale within this industry.

For instance, establishing a food delivery app for your existing restaurant, grocery store, or convenience store is a strategic move. Even smaller establishments, such as ice cream shops, can leverage the benefits of food delivery apps.

This approach not only enhances your business expansion but also aligns with customer expectations.

Moreover, developing a food delivery app for your restaurant allows you to bypass intermediaries and mitigate the third-party fees typically associated with other food delivery platforms fulfilling your orders.

Step #2 — Select Your App Development Technique for Food Delivery

Once you've confirmed the existence of a genuine market demand for your food delivery mobile app, it's time to initiate the development process.

In broad terms, here are your available options:

• Hire an app developer
• Build it yourself using a DIY app builder
• Use internal resources for development
• Outsource to an app development agency

Since most restaurants and grocery stores likely lack an internal IT team, the third option can be quickly ruled out. Additionally, both hiring a developer and outsourcing the project to an agency entail significant expenses. Therefore, if you're seeking a budget-friendly solution, neither of these options would be ideal.

This leaves us with the second option—building it yourself using an app builder. Utilizing an app maker is the best choice for the majority of you reading this guide. It offers a simple and affordable way to create food delivery apps without the need to write a single line of code. Platforms like Code Brew Labs make it effortless for anyone to develop a restaurant app by implementing straightforward plug-and-play functionality.

For additional resources to help you find the best app development method for your food delivery app, use the following links:

• Launch Your Branded Food Ordering App
• Get Your Advance Food Delivery Tech
• Comprehensive Restaurant Management System
• Online Food Business Industry

Step #3 — Identify Your Food Delivery Business Model

Food delivery apps operate using various models, offering several ways to monetize your app idea:

1. Delivery services: In this model, you establish an app and business that manages all deliveries between restaurants and customers. Restaurants are charged fees for utilizing the platform, and a percentage of each order is retained as revenue.
2. Third-party facilitator: Similar to the first model, this app connects restaurants and consumers, but all deliveries are managed by a third party. You operate the app as a service without directly handling the food.
3. Direct food delivery apps: In this scenario, a restaurant or grocery store has its own app for food delivery. They internally operate the software and handle order fulfillment.

The first two models typically make money by charging restaurants to be featured. They also can make money through delivery fees or charging a percentage of every order. Some even charge premium subscriptions to consumers for loyalty perks.?

In the third model, revenue is generated by charging customers for the food items included in each order. Additionally, you may choose to apply markups on items for delivery or incorporate a fixed delivery fee per order. Another option is to implement a monthly subscription model, wherein customers pay a recurring fee to waive delivery charges. This approach not only fosters customer loyalty but also boosts order frequencies.

Step #4 — Choose Your Features

In the realm of food ordering applications, similarities abound. However, for those envisioning a bespoke food delivery app tailored to their unique business model, the urge to embark on such a journey may be strong.

Delving deeper into this guide, we shall dissect the quintessential features that underpin a triumphant food delivery app. Yet, it is paramount that you solidify your grasp on these features prior to delving into the intricacies of development. Allow me to elucidate.

Your chosen features will serve as the cornerstone of the entire app development lifecycle. Amidst the fervor of app creation, it is all too easy to succumb to the allure of adding features simply because they seem innovative, even if they stray from the core purpose and objectives of your food delivery app.

To ensure alignment with your primary purpose and business model, focus on developing features that directly contribute to your goal. For instance, if you aim to establish a food delivery app for your restaurant, consider integrating the Menu Order System plugin through BuildFire. This plugin facilitates the creation of distinct menu categories, streamlining the ordering process for your customers. Then you can add specific food items to each menu.

Here’s an example of some items that might be on your breakfast delivery list:

In the realm of essential attributes for food delivery services, having a well-defined menu is undeniably crucial. Food delivery app features like integrating with social media and setting up message boards may not be top priorities at the moment. Begin by outlining your list of must-have features and adhere to them consistently during the development process.

Step #5 — Design and Development

This stage will constitute the majority of your efforts when creating a food delivery application. The approach will vary for each individual, depending on the development model chosen earlier in step #2.

Opting for a do-it-yourself (DIY) application creator will simplify the design process significantly. For instance, initiating your project with BuildFire offers the advantage of starting with a pre-designed restaurant template.

This handles approximately 90% of the design tasks for you. Afterwards, it's simply a matter of tailoring the text and buttons to align with your branding.

You can effortlessly incorporate plugins for functionalities such as reservations and other essential features to complement your food delivery services.

Step #6 — Marketing and Launch

The final step involves launching your food delivery app. You'll need to make it available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to maximize your potential user base.

After that, it's a matter of promoting your app and encouraging people to download it.

For local eateries and grocery shops, you might consider offering incentives for users to try the app early on. Providing a 20% discount on their first order could entice individuals to give it a try. Even if the profit margin on that initial order is small, it's a worthwhile investment for acquiring users.

Promote your food delivery app on your website, distribute printed flyers at your restaurant or store, send out email campaigns to your subscriber list, and leverage social media to increase awareness and engagement.

Employ various strategies to drive downloads for your app. Even before its official launch, generate excitement and anticipation among potential users so they're prepared to download it once it's available.

If you're utilizing Code Brew Labs for app development, you can rest assured about the publishing process. Simply inform us when your app is completed, and we'll handle the process of making it live on the app stores for you.

Benefits of Food Delivery Apps

Let's examine the benefits of developing a meal delivery app for your company in more detail. These benefits can assist you in deciding whether or not to move forward if you're not sure.?

Market Demand

Earlier, we discussed the food delivery market, but even without delving into statistics, it's evident that restaurants and grocery stores face a bleak future if they fail to adapt to the changing times.

Our society has progressed to a stage where consumers anticipate doorstep deliveries for products. The fate of retailers unable to adapt to the Amazon era serves as a stark example.

This principle extends to food delivery apps and services as well. If you're unable to provide mobile delivery options to your customers, they'll seek alternatives elsewhere for their food needs.

Saves Time For Your Customers

Commute times for picking up takeout can be burdensome, particularly in metropolitan regions where finding parking is challenging. In cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and others, covering just a mile or two could entail a round trip lasting 30 minutes or more. For many individuals, this time investment isn't justified by the hassle involved.

According to a recent survey, 70% of consumers are inclined to pay extra to streamline their experience and save time and effort with food delivery services.

Easy to Use and Order Food

Utilizing a mobile food delivery platform is effortless for both consumers and businesses.

Gone are the days of waiting on hold, grappling with language barriers, or straining to hear customers amidst kitchen clamor.

The process is straightforward: users select items from a digital menu or grocery list, add them to a cart, and make payments in advance. This ensures immediate payment for businesses and offers consumers the advantage of convenience.

With just a smartphone, anyone can access food delivery apps with minimal learning curve, enabling businesses to reach individuals of all age groups.

Increased ROI

Food delivery apps are lucrative ventures, enabling you to swiftly recoup your initial development investment.

When utilizing an app maker, you'll only incur a monthly subscription fee for accessing the service, typically ranging from $300 to $1,000 based on your required features and the chosen service.

By factoring in the subscription cost, you can determine your monthly break even point for the food delivery app.

Expand Your Business

Developing a food delivery app presents an opportunity to diversify revenue streams for your business.

Given the enduring demand for food delivery services, adapting to this trend is essential to remain relevant to your customer base.

Integrating a food delivery app is a logical expansion for any restaurant or grocery store, considering the inevitable presence of other delivery apps in the market. Taking charge of this aspect internally with your own app ensures greater control and potential for growth.

Key Features of a Best Food Delivery App

To develop a successful food delivery app, it's crucial to incorporate the appropriate features tailored to your business type and monetization model. Here are some proven ideas to guide you in the right direction:

User Registration and Profile Management

A comprehensive food delivery app incorporates distinct user profiles, each with a specifically designed interface:

1. Customer Profile: Users access the customer app to browse food items and add them to their cart. It's crucial to offer seamless browsing by enabling searches for nearby restaurants or food categories. Customers should also have the convenience of saving payment details and delivery addresses to expedite the checkout process.
2. Admin Profile: Authorized personnel at restaurants or grocery stores utilize admin profiles to monitor incoming orders and manage their fulfillment. Admins require access to pricing details and the capability to update menu items.
3. Delivery Driver Profile: For services utilizing third-party drivers, a separate interface is necessary for drivers. This interface allows them to accept new orders and receive pick-up instructions. Drivers benefit from turn-by-turn GPS instructions integrated with maps to ensure prompt and efficient delivery to customers.

For apps managing all fulfillment and delivery in-house for grocery stores or restaurants, it's possible to combine the administrative and delivery driver interfaces. However, it's generally advisable to maintain separate user profiles for security purposes. This segregation ensures that drivers do not have access to sensitive information such as pricing changes.

Search Functionality

It's essential for users of food delivery apps to efficiently locate their desired items without navigating through an exhaustive menu.

Consider the vast array of items typically available at a local grocery store. Imagining scrolling through thousands of items to find a single product is impractical.

To facilitate ease of use, items should be categorized logically so that customers can narrow down their options if they're unsure of what they want. For restaurants, categories might include:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Appetizers
• Entrees
• Pasta
• Pizza
• Dessert
• Gluten-Free

For a grocery store, the options might look a little different:

• Bakery
• Deli
• Produce
• Milk and Eggs
• Canned Foods
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Household Products and Cleaning Supplies

Payment Integration

An integrated payment solution is vital for a food delivery app.

Customers should have the option to save their preferred payment methods to their profile, streamlining the checkout process with a single click. This eliminates the need for manually entering card details for each purchase.

Implementing payments through the app guarantees consistent payment for the service, avoiding the complexities associated with cash payments upon delivery or phone-based payments after order placement.

Additionally, this facilitates convenient payment using digital wallets already stored on customers' smartphones.

Coupons and Loyalty Rewards

Customer loyalty is pivotal for success in any business, including food delivery services. Having a food delivery app provides a competitive advantage in fostering customer loyalty compared to other business models.

Since customers must utilize the app for service, tracking loyalty and redeeming rewards becomes effortless through their phones.

There are various approaches to implementing this strategy. For instance, offering general deals like free delivery for orders exceeding $25, or devising specific rewards to incentivize customer spending.

For example, every dollar spent could earn five points, which can be redeemed for complimentary food. Implementing triple points on slower business days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays can stimulate purchases during these periods.

BuildFire offers versatile customer loyalty plugins that can be seamlessly integrated into your app with a single click. These plugins can be tailored to establish a loyalty program that aligns with your business model.

Push Notifications

Push notifications serve as effective reminders for customers regarding upcoming specials and promotions. Examples of messages could include:

• "Order now for FREE delivery!"
• "Take 30% off your next two orders."
• "Buy one pizza and get a free side."
• "New restaurant in your area!"
• "Craving ice cream?"

These notifications are designed to prompt users to open your food delivery app. Additionally, push notifications can be utilized to notify customers when a driver has arrived with their order.

The flexibility of push notifications allows you to configure them based on triggers and user activity. For instance, you can schedule promotions to be sent around dinner time, when customers are more inclined to place orders.

Alternatively, you can tailor notifications to items that a customer has previously ordered. This ensures that notifications are relevant and avoids sending irrelevant notifications to specific customer segments, such as vegetarian customers receiving notifications about steak dinner specials.

Delivery Tracking

Your food delivery application should streamline the process for customers to track their orders, eliminating the need for them to call and inquire about the status.

Existing apps typically follow a standard flow for order status updates:

• Preparing order
• Order ready
• Driver picking up order
• ?Driveren route

Additionally, some apps allow customers to track the precise location of their driver on a map, although this feature may not be essential for everyone.

How Much Does Food Delivery App Development Cost?

The cost of food delivery apps varies significantly, ranging from $500 per month to over $50,000 upfront. The pricing is primarily influenced by the features and development method chosen.

Using a do-it-yourself (DIY) app builder is the most cost-effective option. Instead of paying a substantial upfront amount to a custom food delivery app development company, you can create the app yourself for a low monthly subscription fee.

On the other hand, creating an app similar to UberEats, which integrates with numerous restaurants and features real-time GPS tracking, could cost millions of dollars.

For a local restaurant or grocery store aiming to develop a food delivery app, a budget of $10,000 to $25,000 is typically sufficient if you opt for a simpler approach. Simplifying the app doesn't mean sacrificing features and functionality; rather, it involves focusing solely on essential elements necessary for the app to function effectively.

You can utilize our app cost calculator to estimate your development expenses. It's important to allocate a portion of your budget for post-launch app maintenance as well. This underscores the advantage of using an app builder platform, as it handles all maintenance and updates for you.

Create Food Delivery App — Last Thoughts?

Food delivery apps present significant earning potential, especially for local restaurants and grocery stores seeking to provide customers with a contemporary ordering experience.

Moreover, you can develop a food delivery app that facilitates connections between customers and local eateries and stores in your vicinity. Thus, one doesn't necessarily need to be an established business owner to venture into the food delivery app domain.

If you're prepared to embark on creating a food delivery app, follow the straightforward steps outlined in this guide. Pay meticulous attention to the key success features we discussed. These elements should be your primary focus throughout the development process.