Launch a Custom Food Delivery App and Cut Third-Party Fees

Running a restaurant is tough enough without third-party delivery apps eating into your profits. If you’re frustrated with sky-high commissions, limited control over customer experience, and slow service, there’s a better way forward.

Why not launch your custom food delivery app?

With a branded delivery app tailored to your restaurant’s needs, you can take back control, own your customer data, and provide a better ordering experience that keeps diners coming back.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through 7 actionable steps to create a powerful food delivery app. Whether you’re a local eatery or a growing chain, this step-by-step process will help you increase your revenue and build direct relationships with your customers, no middlemen needed.

Let’s get started. 

What is a Custom Online Food Delivery App?

The custom food delivery app is a mobile application designed according to the client’s requirements. These apps provide a personalized and seamless experience for both customers and restaurant owners.

With a custom food delivery app development, the restaurants can:

• Design the app that uniquely showcases their business.
• Help them add the features of their own choice.
• Help them improve their customers’ dining experience.

Moreover, according to Grand View Research, the online food delivery industry worldwide was valued at USD 221.65 billion. From 2023 to 2030, it is expected to grow at a 10.3% CAGR. 

According to Statista, in 2024-2029, the online food delivery market worldwide is projected to grow by 9.49%.

How Does the Food Delivery System Work?

An online food delivery system consists of four main stakeholders: admin, customers, restaurant owners, and riders.

The workflow is as follows:

Admin

The admin has the ownership to manage and keep track of all activities, from placing orders to customer reviews. 

Customers

Customers can use the food delivery app to place orders as guest users or register for an account on the food delivery platform. They can place an order from a variety of restaurants that deliver to their location. With a few clicks on their mobile phones, customers may place their orders after choosing the food items they want to order.

Restaurant Owners

The restaurant owners create accounts on the platform and update details about their restaurants and offerings. Depending on the subscription plan they choose, the merchants can register as one restaurant or several restaurants. 

Restaurant owners can manage and modify menus, accept or reject orders, and monitor sales and profit using the merchant dashboard.

Riders

The riders can register on the food delivery platform by creating an account. When the restaurant receives the order, it sends a notification to the rider who is present near the location.

The riders can accept or reject the order as per their availability. However, if the rider does not accept the order, the admin assigns the order to another rider.

Features of a Custom Food Delivery App

The features make the app successful and attract customers’ attention. With great features, you can boost your business. 

So, we have compiled some great features that make your online restaurant food ordering software the best.

User-Friendly Interface 

The user interface is the first and the most important thing users see when using the app. If the UI design is not good, customers won’t use the app and will give your app a bad review. 

Therefore, the user interface should be well-designed, visually appealing, and easy to use. The app should load faster; users can use it anywhere to order online.

Easy Signup

The registration process for users should be simple. Customers can log in with their number and social media profile as well. Multiple registration options enhance accessibility and convenience. 

Live Tracking of Order

This online food ordering and delivery software feature allows restaurants and customers to track their orders via GPS in real-time. This feature should be included in the food delivery app and provide customers with all the details, from food preparation to delivery.  

Deals and Promotions

Promotional offers encourage customers to use the service more often. Offer different deals and discounts to customers on festivals like Christmas, New Year, Halloween, etc. Users can enjoy curated deals and combo offers. This custom food delivery app feature enables restaurants to showcase their specialties and attract new customers.

Easy and Multiple Payment Options

Payments are the central part of the business, and customers need to feel safe when they pay online. Always offer multiple payment options, such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, cash on delivery, etc. 

Directly Communicate with the Rider

This open source food delivery app feature helps customers call or chat with the rider if they want to give special instructions. It makes the food delivery process seamless and smooth. 

Menu Management

Restaurants can easily edit their menu and add prices, special offers, availability, address, timing, etc. 

How to Create a Food Delivery App in 7 Simple Steps?

Creating your own food delivery app is not complex, but requires proper planning and preparation. Following the proper steps will help you easily create a custom food ordering app for your restaurant business. 

Here are some steps to help you create a top-notch custom food delivery app.

1. Do Research

Without thorough research, no food delivery app development project should start. So, firstly, you must research and understand the current market trends in the food delivery industry. Research your competition and identify unique features that can set your app apart. Understand your target audience’s preferences and food delivery app requirements.

2. Pick the Food Delivery Model

Now, select the food delivery model for your custom food delivery application development. The four main food delivery models are:

Order-only model: Customers place orders through a platform, but the restaurant handles the delivery logistics themselves.

Fully integrated food delivery model: The delivery platform manages the entire process, from order placement to delivery, taking care of all logistics on behalf of the restaurants.

Order and delivery model: In this model, the deliveries are managed by a third party.  

Restaurant-to-consumer model: Restaurants offer their delivery services directly to customers, without using a third-party platform.

3. Select the Main App Features

The next important step is to select the main features of the food customization app. Every food delivery app should have the best features. Divide the features into four categories:

• Features for Customers
• Features for Restaurants 
• Features for Riders 
• Features for Admin Dashboard

4. Select the Technology Stack

Decide on the technology stack required for the custom food and grocery app development. Carefully select the tech stack you or the web development team has expertise in.

The table below shows the right technologies for your customized food delivery app development.

5. On-Demand Food Delivery App Development 

Now, it’s time to start developing the app. This step is divided into three steps:

UI/UX Design: Create a visually appealing and user-friendly design for your app. Pay attention to navigation, responsiveness, and overall user experience.

Front-end: Start working on the custom food ordering app design. 

Back-end: Implement the features and build the server-side logic and APIs. Also, implement payment integration methods in your app. 

6. Testing & Deployment 

Testing the app before deployment and making the app free from bugs and errors. Try to test the app on different platforms and ensure all functionality works correctly. After testing the app, deploy the app to the app stores.  

7. Maintenance & Update 

Regularly update your app to fix errors, add new functionalities, and enhance user experience. If any issue occurs, try to solve it as early as possible.

Custom Food Delivery App Vs. SaaS-Based Food Delivery App

Look at the table below and understand the main differences between a custom and a SaaS-based food delivery app. 

Benefits of Having Your Food Delivery App 

Create your own food ordering app offers several benefits to business owners, which include:

Get More Orders

By offering customers the convenience of ordering food directly from their preferred restaurants through your app, you can expect a significant surge in the number of orders. This eliminates the need for third-party delivery services that often impose hefty delivery fees.

Customer Reviews

Having your own custom delivery app, customers are more likely to leave reviews. It helps to strengthen your brand reputation and build trust among future customers. Therefore, more people know about your business. 

Full Control

Making your own delivery app gives you control over the entire delivery process. You can make your informed decisions tailored to your specific business requirements, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience for your customers.

Reduce Cost

It is one of the best benefits of custom food application development. By creating your own app, you can significantly reduce expenses associated with relying on external platforms or services. This financial efficiency contributes to the overall profitability and sustainability of your business.

Long-term Return on Investment (ROI)

You can earn high ROI by launching a food delivery app like Foodpanda. However, it’s important to remember that it may take time and effort to build a loyal customer base and establish a strong brand presence in the market.

How Much Does it Cost to Make a Food Delivery System?

The cost of creating the custom delivery services depends on a variety of factors, which include:

Platform Costs

• iOS app development: $15,000 – $30,000
• Android app development: $15,000 – $30,000
• Web/desktop platform: $8,000 – $15,000

Core Features

• User registration and login: $2,000 – $5,000
• Menu management: $3,000 – $8,000
• Order placement: $3,000 – $8,000
• Payment integration: $2,000 – $5,000
• Order tracking: $2,000 – $5,000

Advanced Features

• Real-time order updates: $3,000 – $8,000
• Rider app: $5,000 – $12,000
• Restaurant/vendor portal: $5,000 – $12,000
• Loyalty/rewards program: $3,000 – $8,000
• Analytics and reporting: $3,000 – $8,000

Other Costs

• Backend server setup: $5,000 – $12,000
• Database integration: $2,000 – $5,000
• Third-party integrations (maps, payment gateways, etc.): $3,000 – $8,000
• Project management and QA: $4,000 – $10,000

So in total, the range is typically around $25,000 to $50,000 for a basic to medium-complexity food delivery app across both iOS and Android platforms. This can go higher for large-scale enterprises with more advanced features. The actual cost will depend on your specific requirements and the development team you choose to work with.

Challenges in Building the Custom Food Delivery App 

Below are some challenges that business owners face in building a customized app. 

User Experience Design

Creating an intuitive and engaging user interface that provides a seamless ordering experience for customers is crucial. The app should have a clean layout, easy navigation, and fast performance to keep users engaged.

Menu Management

This is another challenge of the food order customization app. Integrating restaurant menus and managing item details requires extensive coordination with the restaurant partners.

Real-Time Order Tracking

Creating an UberEats alternative app means providing customers with real-time updates on order status, delivery time, and driver location is important for building trust and transparency.

Data Security and Privacy

Ensuring the protection of customer data, such as payment information and personal details, is crucial to building trust and complying with regulations.

Scalability and Reliability

Designing the app architecture to handle increasing user traffic and orders without compromising performance is a main challenge that businesses face. 

Constant Updating and Maintenance

Regularly updating the app with new features, bug fixes, and compatibility updates requires a lot of time and effort. 

Best Food Ordering App Services 

Below is a list of the best food ordering app services. 

UberEats

UberEats is a widely recognized food delivery service that connects users with a vast array of local restaurants. The app features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to browse through menus, and customers can track their orders in real time.

With frequent promotions and discounts, UberEats provides a convenient way to enjoy meals from a diverse selection of cuisines, making it a popular choice for food lovers.

Grubhub

Grubhub is one of the pioneers in the online food industry. The app allows users to search for food based on their location and offers features like group ordering, which is perfect for gatherings.

With a focus on customer reviews and loyalty rewards, Grubhub ensures that users have a satisfying dining experience while enjoying a variety of food options.

Foodpanda

Foodpanda, popular in many Asian countries and parts of Europe, is known for its diverse range of food offerings. The app provides a fast and efficient delivery service, allowing users to choose from a wide selection of local restaurants.

With various payment options and exclusive deals, Foodpanda enhances the food ordering experience, making it a go-to app for many users looking for convenience and variety.

DoorDash

DoorDash has rapidly become a major player in the U.S. food delivery market, recognized for its fast delivery service and extensive restaurant selection. The app offers a subscription service called DashPass, which provides users with free delivery on eligible orders.

DoorDash allows users to order from their favorite local eateries, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a meal at home.

Tips to Market Your Food Delivery App

Below are some tips and tricks to help you market your food delivery app. 

• Create a website that showcases your services, menu, and offers. 
• Make sure your app is user-friendly and responsive on various devices. 
• Share visually appealing content, respond to customer inquiries, and interact with followers to expand customer reach. 
• Offer incentives for new users to download and try the app. 
• Regularly offer discounts to attract new users and retain existing ones. 

Get a Custom Food Delivery Platform From Enatega – Case Study 

Enatega created a custom food delivery platform for Snap Delivered and helped to overcome the challenges they faced. By using Enatega’s food ordering platform, Snap Delivered has gained traction among local businesses and consumers and easily competes in the food delivery landscape.  

Benefits Get by Snap Delivered from Enatega

• Rider app to manage their delivery operations
• Profitability
• 24/7 support
• Fully customizable app 

FAQs

1. How to build an app like UberEats?

Creating an app like UberEats is simple if you follow the steps below.

• Research
• Choose the model
• Select the features
• Start working on the app development
• Testing

2. What is the most expensive food delivery app?

Uber Eats is the most expensive food delivery app. However, it provides the best services to the customers, and several well-known eateries are available on this platform. 

3. How much does it cost to make an app like Uber Eats?

The cost of creating an app like Uber Eats can range between $15,000 to $50,000. However, it varies and depends on your app requirements.

4. What is the cheapest food delivery app?

DoorDash is the cheapest food delivery app that offers lower delivery fees. However, it also displays the list of restaurants with zero delivery fees.  

5. What are the top 3 food delivery apps?  

The top 3 food delivery apps are:

• DoorDash
• UberEats
• Grubhub

6. What app is best for food delivery?

Several food delivery apps are available, but DoorDash is best for food delivery. With DoorDash, restaurants can serve their customers better. One of its unique features is its 24/7 responsive customer service, which sets it apart from other competitors in the food delivery market. 

7. Are any food delivery apps profitable? 

DoorDash is the highest profitable food delivery app, with over 50% market share. It has 550,000 partnered restaurants and grocery markets. 

8. Do food delivery apps make money?

Many food delivery apps struggle to achieve consistent profitability due to high operational costs, competition, and customer acquisition expenses. Some may achieve profitability in specific markets or with certain business models, but overall profitability remains challenging. 

9. What is the most successful food delivery app?

DoorDash is the most successful food delivery app. In the US food delivery market, DoorDash holds a significant market share. Uber Eats comes in second place, with Grubhub and other services.

10. How to build a food delivery app like Uber Eats?

Here are some steps to help you build a food delivery app like Uber Eats. 

• Do market research 
• Define the app features 
• Choose a business model 
• Select the tech stack 
• Start the app development 
• Testing and launching 

11. What is the most downloaded food delivery app?

The most downloaded food delivery app is DoorDash, followed closely by UberEats. However, rankings can vary by region and over time.

12. What food delivery app do people use the most?

The most widely used food delivery app varies by region, but in the U.S., DoorDash often leads in popularity, followed by UberEats and Grubhub. 

About the author

Hudaibia Khalid

Copywriter & Marketing Assistant

Hudaibia Khalid is the creative force behind the blog—a maestro of words and ideas. Her distinctive style not only imparts wisdom but also leaves an indelible mark, transforming each post into a captivating journey through her unique perspective on the world.

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