Creating a food delivery app might sound like a challenge for most restaurant owners, but in reality, it’s easier than you think. You don’t need any coding skills, it’s cheaper than hiring a development team, and doing so comes with several benefits for your restaurant.
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to create a delivery app with no-code that’ll make online ordering and the food delivery service easier for your clients.
How to Make a Food Delivery App
Food delivery apps are rapidly gaining popularity due to their convenience and ordering food has become faster and easier for consumers.
Online Ordering Preferences Stats
According to Tech on Toast, while 13% of customers use third-party apps or websites for delivery or takeout orders, 40% prefer to order directly through the restaurant’s own app or website.
This highlights the importance of restaurants managing their own digital presence to enhance customer experience and loyalty.
If you’re running a restaurant and wondering how to create your own food delivery app, we’ve outlined the process in a few simple steps below.
Step 1: Register for a restaurant app builder
Create an UpMenu account to get started. UpMenu is an easy-to-use restaurant app builder that offers customizable options to help you create an impressive app without coding.
Once you’ve signed up to UpMenu, input your information and go through the onboarding process.
Step 2: Customize your food delivery app
Once you’ve set up your account, you’re ready to customize your app. Click the “Mobile App” button to design your delivery app to fit your restaurant branding.
While choosing your layout, uploading your logo, and adding your app name are crucial first steps, understanding the average cost of app development is essential.
This knowledge will help you navigate the customization process with a clear budget in mind, ensuring that your branding efforts are both effective and economically viable.
Add Your Delivery App Name
Your app name allows customers to find your branded app in the Google Play Store and App Store, so make sure to use the name of your restaurant.
Upload Your Delivery App Icon
When uploading your icon, make sure it has a resolution of around 400px by 400px and is in .png format.
Your logo works as your app icon, so make sure it’s the right size and that your clients can quickly identify it.
Add Your Colors
Ensure your app’s color scheme matches your restaurant’s branding. That way, when clients download your app, they can be sure it’s the right one.
Plus, an ordering app that matches your restaurant’s branding makes your business look more professional.
Step 3: Create Your Digital Menu
Once you’ve designed your food ordering app, select the “Menus” icon from the panel to create your online menu.
Here, you can group your menu items into menu categories, making viewing the online menu quick and easy for clients.
Step 4: Enter the address and working hours
Under the “Settings” button on the toolbar you’ll find the “Working Hours” and “Address and Contact” sections.
In the “Working Hours” section, you can add your business hours so customers know exactly when you’re open.
In the “Address and Contact” section, input your restaurant’s location so customers know where to find you for dine-in or pickup orders.
Step 5: Create your delivery zones
Under the “Online ordering” button on the toolbar, select the “Delivery Zones” button. Here, you can draw your delivery zones in proximity to your restaurant.
Doing so lets customers know where delivery workers are able to deliver orders and at what price.
Delivery zones are visible to your customers in the restaurant app, as well as delivery costs, which are calculated automatically based on the customer’s address.
Step 6: Enable online payments
Under the “Online ordering” button, select “Payment methods” and activate “Online Payments.” Doing so creates a secure payment gateway and allows clients to pay online for pickup or delivery orders.
Online payment providers include Stripe, Adyen, and PayPal.
Step 7: Implement a loyalty program (optional)
A restaurant loyalty program is designed to increase customer retention by up to 63%.
For each purchase clients make, they’re rewarded with stamps and points, which can be redeemed for a free meal, discount, or any special reward you come up with.
To implement a loyalty program, under the “Marketing” button select “Loyalty program”.
Step 8: Publish Your App
After you’ve set up your online food delivery app, the last step is to publish it onto the App Store and Google Play Store.
Doing so puts your business in front of your target audience and allows them to download your app for quick food delivery services.
Step 9: Promote Your Food Delivery App
Once your app is available to download you need to get the word out about it to your target audience. Doing so gets them to download your app, which increases your number of food orders.
Here are three great ways to promote your food delivery app:
1. Print QR codes
QR codes are the perfect way to get your in-house clients to download your app for online ordering.
In the “QR Code Menu & Tableside ordering” section you can select a QR code template, choose background color, text color, and write the description to customize a QR code.
Once you print it, display it in your restaurant so food delivery app users can keep your restaurant right on their phones.
2. Add an App Page to Your Website
Turn website visitors into customers by adding a page promoting your app.
Include links to the app stores and images of what it looks like so that clients are more likely to download it.
3. Send an Email & SMS Campaign
Reach your current clients and let them know about your online ordering app. Send them an email or SMS via UpMenu, letting them know how quick and easy it is to use the app to order delivery.
You can also promote your app through a restaurant newsletter, offering updates and special offers to encourage its use.
Why Your Restaurant Needs a Branded Food Delivery App
If delivery apps like Uber Eats already exist, then why do restaurants need their own branded food delivery applications? The answer is simple – to save money with their own logistics network and have more control over their business.
In our article on Uber Eats commissions, we compared the fees and features of Uber Eats to other food delivery apps in the restaurant industry.
To summarize, this third-party food delivery model can charge restaurant owners up to 30% on commission fees from each sale, significantly impacting revenue.
Unlike third-party food delivery services like Uber Eats, a branded food ordering app gives you access to your customers’ data, allows you to update order status, control everything up to the delivery process, and lets you run marketing activities independently, which increases average restaurant revenue and improves the restaurant customer experience.
Systems | Third-party app (like UberEats) | Your own branded app (like UpMenu) |
|---|---|---|
Commission | 15% – 30% | Flat monthly fee (from 49$) |
Third-party online food delivery apps like Uber Eats charge a delivery fee for the delivery agent and a 15% to 30% commission fee on each order. This doesn’t include payment processing and marketing fees.
With your custom food delivery app, you simply pay the delivery person. The rest of the money you make goes right into your pocket.
Benefits of Having Your Own Food Delivery App
Owning your food delivery platform comes with several benefits for your restaurant, including:
- Protecting your margin from third-party delivery services: Your food delivery application eliminates the need to pay commission fees to third-party delivery services, as well as additional marketing fees that can eat up your profit margins.
- You own the customer data: With your custom food delivery mobile app, you own all of your clients’ data, including their contact details, order history, and other information.
- More orders: Clients prefer to order food directly from their favorite restaurants, and not some third-party system that charges a hefty delivery fee and other additional costs. That means you can expect more orders.
- Customer loyalty: With your own food delivery app, you can improve customer loyalty via the loyalty program. Automatically reward clients for their purchases and improve communication and restaurant feedback.
- Control delivery: With your own delivery app, you’re in control of the delivery process, and you choose who delivers outgoing food orders.
- More customer reviews: By having your own branded food delivery app, clients are more likely to leave you reviews, as doing so via an app is straightforward and only takes a few taps.
Key Features Food Delivery Apps Must Have
A reliable food delivery app isn’t just an online ordering system. In fact, that’s just one of many features a reliable system should offer. Here’s a list of the following features your restaurant can’t be left without:
With this option, clients can place their food orders directly through the app without having to call you.
A digital restaurant menu in your online food delivery app lets clients view all of your menu items, and you’re able to edit the prices, layout, and colors to fit your branding.
A reliable food delivery app must have a payment option. Clients should be able to easily select payment options in the delivery app.
A loyalty program allows a food business to turn one-time clients into returning regulars by awarding them redeemable points for their purchases, which can be used to pick up various rewards, like discounts and even free meals.
An order-taking app allows restaurant and food chain owners alike to accept and manage online food orders directly on their phones.
Restaurant owners use this tool to communicate with their clients directly. This is useful for sending information on the latest offers and promotions.
With this app functionality, you’re in control of the development process. Use the simple no-code restaurant app builder to design your app your way, without having to pay for additional development costs.
Stand out from nearby restaurants by collecting restaurant feedback from your branded app and share it directly onto your website.
This feature allows you to generate your own coupon codes and offer them to customers as incentives to repeat orders.
Restaurant App Builder vs. Software Development Company
When deciding between using a restaurant app builder or a custom software development company to create a food delivery app, there are several factors to consider, including cost, customization, and support.
There are two ways of building an app:
- Using a Restaurant App Builder: A restaurant app builder gives you control of everything. Develop a food delivery app with the help of an easy-to-use drag-and-drop option and no coding skills. Most app builders are inexpensive and charge either a one-time or monthly fee, which saves you a lot of money on development cost.
- Hiring a Software Development Company: These companies can create a food delivery app made to order. That means once they develop food delivery app features, you can only make changes to them with their assistance. Plus, food delivery app development can become very expensive.
| Building Your app | Restaurant App Builder | App Development Company |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds the app? | You via an app builder | A hired development team |
| How much does it cost to build a food delivery app? | Prices start from $49 per month | Hundreds, if not thousands of dollars |
| How long does it take to design? | ~1 hour | Weeks, if not months |
A software development company is a better option if you own a restaurant franchise business model and require heavily customized features for your delivery app.
If you need an easy-to-use solution, go with a restaurant delivery app builder.
Key Takeaways
- App Development Process: Building a food delivery app requires defining core features, like an online ordering system, online payments, and push notifications.
- Customer Convenience: An app simplifies ordering, making it easier for your restaurant target audience to engage.
- Customization: Customize the app to align with your restaurant branding for a cohesive customer experience.
- Boost Delivery Orders: A well-designed app can significantly increase delivery orders.
- Ongoing Updates: Regularly update the app to improve functionality and user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are food delivery apps?
Food delivery apps are third-party mobile platforms that connect restaurants and retailers with customers, allowing them to order and receive meals at home. These apps drive the online food delivery segment, offering features like real-time tracking and multiple payment options for a seamless experience.
How to make a delivery service app?
To create a delivery service app using a restaurant app builder, follow these steps:
- Register: Sign up for a restaurant app builder to enter the food delivery market.
- Customize: Personalize your food delivery app by adding a name, icon, and colors.
- Create Digital Menu: Upload your restaurant’s menu with detailed descriptions and prices.
- Enter Address & Hours: Input your restaurant’s location and working hours.
- Create Delivery Zones: Define the areas where you offer delivery services.
- Enable Payments: Set up online payment methods for seamless transactions.
- Loyalty Program: Optionally, add a loyalty program to reward returning customers.
- Publish App: Launch your app on app stores for customers to download.
- Promote App: Use restaurant social media marketing to attract users and grow your customer base.
How do food delivery apps work?
Food delivery apps connect users with nearby restaurants, allowing them to browse menus, order, and make payments.
The chosen restaurant prepares the order; if delivery is chosen, a driver delivers it, with real-time tracking available.
After delivery, users can rate and provide feedback on their experience with the food delivery business.
How much does it cost to make a food app?
Creating a food app’s cost depends on various factors. Using a restaurant app builder typically involves a monthly fee starting at $49, making it budget-friendly for startups and small businesses.
However, custom apps developed by software development companies can range from $20,000 to $200,000, with simpler apps on the lower end and complex ones on the higher end, depending on features and design complexity.
According to Mind Studios, the cost of developing an app like Postmates ranges from $130,500 to $148,500.
Can I create an app like DoorDash?
Yes, you can create an app similar to DoorDash. To do so, you’ll need to collaborate with a software development company or use an app builder tailored to food delivery.
Keep in mind, building a successful app like DoorDash involves significant time, effort, and resources, including ongoing maintenance, marketing, and adapting to customer needs.
How to create an app like DoorDash?
You can create an app similar to DoorDash using UpMenu. While UpMenu doesn’t provide all the features of DoorDash, you can still set up a functional delivery app for your restaurant(s). Here’s a simplified guide on how to develop an app like DoorDash using UpMenu:
- Sign up and set up your UpMenu account.
- Create and customize the mobile app (Choose a template and customize the app with your logo, brand colors, and fonts).
- Create your restaurant menu.
- Add your address and working hours.
- Add your delivery zones with delivery fees.
- Set up online ordering.
- Enable online payments.
- Publish your app and start promoting it.
How long does it take to develop a food app?
According to Crowdbotics, building a food app typically takes around 550 hours, but the timeline can range from 267 to 1,000 hours, depending on the app’s complexity. Factors that extend development time include custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or the need for non-standard platform releases.
Using a restaurant app builder like UpMenu significantly reduces the time needed to develop food delivery apps. While custom development can take hundreds of hours, a restaurant app builder allows you to create and launch your app in just a few hours.
These platforms come with pre-built features like menu management and order processing, which makes the setup process much quicker. This option is ideal for restaurants looking for a faster, more affordable solution to make their food delivery apps work efficiently.
