In the age of digital convenience, food delivery apps like Deliveroo have revolutionized how people order food. As more users seek quick, contactless dining experiences, businesses are increasingly looking to invest in on-demand food delivery app development.
If you’re considering building your food ordering platform, this blog breaks down everything: the concept, growing demand, must-have features, development cost, and the key factors affecting your investment.
What is a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo?
A Deliveroo-style food delivery app is an online platform that connects customers with nearby restaurants and delivery partners. It allows users to browse food menus, place orders, make payments, and track deliveries in real time.
How it Works:
- Customers use the app to order food from restaurants.
- Restaurants prepare the food once an order is received.
- Delivery agents pick up the food and deliver it to the customer’s doorstep.
- An admin panel manages the entire system: from user data to analytics and commissions.
This three-sided marketplace is designed for efficiency, convenience, and scalability, making it ideal for startups, restaurant chains, and food delivery entrepreneurs.
Why Is the Demand for Food Delivery Apps Increasing?
The food delivery app market has seen massive growth globally. With changing lifestyles, working professionals, and the rise of digital payments, more people now prefer ordering food via apps rather than dining out or calling restaurants.
Market Insights:
- The global online food delivery market is projected to reach $505 billion by 2030.
- Over 70% of smartphone users have used a food delivery app at least once.
- Contactless delivery and real-time order tracking have become standard customer expectations.
Key Drivers of Growth:
- Urbanization: More people living in cities with fast-paced lifestyles.
- Smartphone Penetration: Increasing access to mobile apps for everyday services.
- Tech-Friendly Audience: Consumers now expect digital-first solutions.
- Post-pandemic Behavior: Food delivery apps became a necessity and remain a preference.
Top Reasons to Invest in a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo
Building your on-demand food delivery app can offer strong ROI and brand growth. Here’s why investing in this business model makes sense:
1. Consistent User Engagement
Food is a recurring need. With the right experience, users keep returning to the app, leading to long-term retention and lifetime value (LTV).
2. Multiple Revenue Streams
Apps like Deliveroo earn through:
- Delivery charges
- Commissions from restaurants
- Premium placements for restaurants
- Subscription models for users (e.g., free delivery)
- In-app ads or third-party promotions
3. Scalable Business Model
Start with a single city or location, and scale as your user base and restaurant partners grow. You can also expand to include groceries, medicines, or cloud kitchens.
4. Data & Insights
With an admin dashboard, you can track:
- Peak ordering times
- High-performing restaurants
- Delivery bottlenecks
- User preferences
This allows you to make data-driven business decisions.
5. Brand Recognition & Loyalty
A seamless, well-designed app creates a loyal customer base. Features like rewards, offers, and quick delivery help boost retention and user satisfaction.
Key Features Your Food Delivery App Must Include
To develop a successful food delivery app like Deliveroo, you need to offer a set of powerful features for customers, restaurants, delivery drivers, and admin users.
Customer App Features:
- User Registration/Login: Secure sign-up via email, phone, or social accounts.
- Search & Filters:Locate nearby restaurants based on cuisine, rating, delivery time, or offers.
- Menu Browsing:Scroll through dishes with prices, photos, and customizations.
- Order Placement:Add to cart, schedule delivery, or reorder past items.
- Live Order Tracking: Real-time delivery status with estimated arrival time.
- Order Placement:Add to cart, schedule delivery, or reorder past items.
- Multiple Payment Methods:Credit/debit cards, UPI, wallets, or cash on delivery.
- Offers & Coupons:Apply promo codes for discounts.
- Ratings & Reviews:Leave feedback after delivery.
Restaurant Partner Panel:
- Profile Setup: Add restaurant name, logo, address, and working hours.
- Menu Management: Add, edit, or remove items, update prices and availability.
- Order Notifications: Receive order alerts instantly via app or desktop.
- Delivery Status: Update order status (preparing, packed, ready for pickup).
- Performance Analytics: Daily earnings, top-selling dishes, and customer feedback.
Delivery Partner App:
- Availability Toggle: Mark availability for accepting orders.
- Order Details: View pickup/drop location, distance, and contact info.
- Route Navigation: Google Maps integration for the fastest delivery routes.
- Order History: Track completed deliveries and earnings.
- Earnings Dashboard: Weekly/monthly payouts and incentives.
Admin Dashboard:
- User Management: Control over all user roles (customers, restaurants, riders).
- Commission Settings: Set variable commission rates per restaurant.
- Promo Management: Create, modify, or deactivate coupons and campaigns.
- Performance Monitoring: View reports on orders, active users, delivery time, and app crashes.
- Support & Dispute Resolution: Handle refund requests or complaints.
Cost Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like Deliveroo?
The cost to develop a food delivery app like Deliveroo depends on your required features, tech stack, app design, and the development team’s location.
Here’s a general breakdown for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product):
| Component | Min Cost (USD) | Max Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| UI/UX Design | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| iOS & Android Development | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Backend & API Development | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Admin Dashboard | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Payment & Map Integrations | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Testing & QA | $2,000 | $7,000 |
| Total | $31,000 | $72,000 |
A full-featured app with real-time tracking, in-app chat, AI recommendations, and multi-language support may cost $31,000 to $72000 or more.
Technologies Used to Build a Deliveroo-Like App
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend | Flutter / React Native |
| Backend | Node.js / Laravel / Django |
| Database | MongoDB / PostgreSQL |
| Real-Time Maps | Google Maps API / Mapbox |
| Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) |
| Payments | Razorpay / Stripe / PayPal |
| Hosting | AWS / Google Cloud |
Final Thoughts: Is Building a Food Delivery App Worth It?
Yes, investing in a custom food delivery app like Deliveroo in 2025 is a smart move. Consumer demand is rising, the business model is scalable, and app-based food ordering is here to stay.
With a clear plan, feature-rich app, and the right development partner, you can build a profitable food tech business tailored to your audience.
Let’s Turn Your Idea Into Reality
At Equitysoft Technologies, we help businesses build on-demand delivery platforms tailored to their needs—from MVPs to full-scale enterprise apps. We provide end-to-end development, UI/UX design, API integration, and post-launch support.
