How to Develop a Food Delivery App: A Complete Guide
Food delivery apps have become incredibly popular in recent years.
According to recent reports, 52.6% of the USA have used food delivery apps Additionally, 53% say delivery or takeout is essential to their daily routine. Among Millennials, that figure jumps to 64%.
Statista estimates the online food delivery industry will generate $96.5 billion by 2027, growing at an 8.9% CAGR.
This growth presents massive opportunities. This guide is very helpful for you, If you're planning to develop a food delivery app for your restaurant, grocery store, or a platform like DoorDash or UberEats.
How to Build a Food Delivery App in 6 Easy Steps
Step 1 — Validate Your Food Delivery App Idea
Begin with in-depth market research. While the food delivery app market is booming, it’s heavily dominated by a few key players. In 2022, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub accounted for 97% of the market.
Still, smaller-scale apps can thrive, especially if they cater to local restaurants, grocery shops, or niche food businesses like dessert or beverage delivery. Partnering with a food delivery app development company can grow business as well as save your money in the long run.
Before diving into development, confirm that your app idea solves a real problem or fills a market gap.
- Identify the Problem: Is there a lack of restaurant variety? Slow deliveries? High fees?
- Study the Competition: Analyze apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. Understand what they do well and what they don’t.
- Conduct Market Research: Use surveys, online research, or interviews to see what users want in a food delivery app.
- Choose a Niche (if needed): Specialize in organic meals, homemade food, office lunches, or specific cuisines to stand out.
Step 2 — Choose a Development Method
Select the best approach to build your app based on your budget, timeline, and technical resources.
- Custom App Development: Ideal for complex features but can be expensive and time-consuming.
- App Builders (like BuildFire): Faster and cost-effective for MVPs and early-stage startups.
- White-label Solutions: Pre-built platforms you can customize great for speed and scalability.
- In-house vs. Outsourcing: Decide if you'll use an in-house team or hire a professional app development company.
For most restaurants and small businesses, using an app builder is the most cost-effective and accessible solution. Platforms like BuildFire let you create a food delivery app with drag-and-drop features and zero coding experience.
Step 3 — Define Your Business Model
Food delivery apps can follow different business models:
- Delivery Service: You handle all deliveries and charge restaurants fees.
- Third-Party Platform: You connect users and restaurants but rely on third parties for delivery.
- Direct Delivery: Your restaurant or grocery store uses its own app and delivery service.
Each model earns revenue through order commissions, delivery charges, listing fees, or subscription plans. Choose the model that best aligns with your resources and goals.
There are multiple business models you can choose from, each with different revenue opportunities.
- Order-Only Model: The app connects users and restaurants. Restaurants handle delivery.
- Order and Delivery Model: Your app manages both ordering and delivery logistics.
- Fully Integrated Model: You prepare and deliver the food (like Domino’s or Zomato).
- Subscription or Commission-Based: Earn revenue from delivery fees, subscriptions, or restaurant commissions.
Step 4 — Decide on Core Features
Your app should focus on essential features that support your business model. For example:
- Digital menu with food items and categories
- Order tracking system
- Payment gateway
- Customer profiles
Avoid unnecessary features early on. Prioritize what’s necessary for smooth ordering, payments, and delivery.
Building a great user experience depends on the features you offer. Organize features into three key user panels:
a) Customer App Features
- Sign-up/Login
- Restaurant listings
- Menu browsing
- Real-time order tracking
- Multiple payment options
- Ratings and reviews
- Order history
b) Restaurant App Features
- Profile/dashboard
- Menu management
- Order notifications
- Analytics and reports
c) Delivery Partner App Features
- Order alerts
- Navigation and route optimization
- Delivery status updates
- Earnings reports
d) Admin Panel
- User management
- Restaurant and delivery management
- Commission tracking
- Promo codes and campaigns
Step 5 — Design & Develop Your App
This is where your vision becomes reality. If you use a DIY builder like BuildFire, you can start with a template designed for restaurants and customize it to match your brand.
You can also add plugins for extra features like reservations, loyalty programs, and push notifications.
Once the foundation is set, begin the app design and development process.
- Wireframes and UI/UX Design: Sketch app screens and focus on an intuitive user experience.
- Choose a Tech Stack:
- Frontend: React Native, Flutter, Swift
- Backend: Node.js, Django, Firebase
- Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL
- MVP Development: Start small with a Minimum Viable Product and test the core features.
- Testing: Conduct usability, performance, and security testing to ensure a bug-free launch.
Step 6 — Launch and Promote Your App
After development, publish your app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Begin marketing your food delivery app using:
- Your website
- Email campaigns
- Social media promotions
- In-store flyers
Offer launch promotions like a 20% discount on first orders to boost downloads.
If you're using BuildFire, the platform handles app publishing for you.
Now it’s time to promote and release your app into the market.
- Pre-Launch Buzz: Tease your app with landing pages and social media campaigns.
- App Store Optimization (ASO): Use targeted keywords, visuals, and descriptions to get visibility.
- Launch on iOS & Android: Publish on Google Play and Apple App Store.
- Collect Feedback: Monitor reviews and adapt your app based on real-world usage.
Key Benefits of Food Delivery Apps
Growing Demand
Today’s consumers expect convenient, mobile-first ordering. If your business doesn't provide that, customers may turn to competitors.
Time-Saving Convenience
Customers in busy cities may spend 30+ minutes picking up food. Delivery apps eliminate this hassle and offer a smoother experience.
Easy to Use
Ordering via mobile is simple. No more phone calls, waiting on hold, or background noise from busy kitchens.
Better ROI
Using an app builder means low upfront costs and predictable monthly fees—often under $1,000. With regular orders, ROI can be achieved quickly.
Business Growth
A food delivery app opens a new revenue channel and meets customer expectations in today’s digital-first world.
Must-Have Features for Your Food Delivery App
- User Profiles
- Customers: Can browse menus, save addresses, and make payments.
- Admins: Manage orders, update menus, and control pricing.
- Drivers: Accept delivery jobs and navigate using GPS.
- Search Functionality Allow users to filter by categories (e.g., Breakfast, Dinner, Desserts) or search specific items quickly.
- Payment Integration Secure in-app payments should include card storage and wallet support for fast checkouts.
- Coupons & Loyalty Rewards Reward loyal customers through point systems or discounts. BuildFire’s loyalty plugins make setup easy.
- Push Notifications Send targeted promotions, delivery updates, or alerts based on user preferences and behavior.
- Real-Time Delivery Tracking Let customers see the status of their order with updates like:
- Preparing
- Picked up
- En route
- Delivered
Here’s why food delivery apps are booming:
- Increased revenue and reach for restaurants
- Convenience and time-saving for customers
- New business models (cloud kitchens, meal subscriptions)
- Data-driven insights to improve services
Food Delivery App Development Cost
Prices vary based on complexity:
- DIY app builder: $500–$1,000/month
- Custom app (basic): $10,000–$25,000
- Full-scale app like Uber Eats: $100,000–$1,000,000+
Using a no-code platform offers a lower-risk entry point with built-in support and updates. Always budget for post-launch maintenance.
The total cost depends on the complexity, features, and development approach:
- Simple MVP: $10,000 – $25,000
- Medium Complexity App: $30,000 – $60,000
- Fully Custom App with Delivery Logistics: $75,000+
Factors influencing cost:
- Number of features
- Tech stack
- Design complexity
- Development location (U.S. vs. India, for example)
Final Thoughts
Food delivery apps are a smart investment for restaurants, grocery stores, and entrepreneurs. You don’t need a big team or large budget to build one a good plan and the right tools.
Follow the six-step guide above, focus on the essential features, and choose a cost-effective development method.
Get started today with BuildFire’s free trial and start building your food delivery app with ease.
Creating a food delivery app is more accessible than ever thanks to tools like BuildFire. Whether you’re a restaurant owner or an entrepreneur, building your own app helps you control your customer experience, increase brand loyalty, and grow revenue in the fast-moving online food industry.