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How to Develop a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo? – Cost & Features

May 03, 2025
How to Develop a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo? – Cost & Features

Introduction

Food delivery has become a staple of modern life. With busy schedules, changing lifestyles, and the widespread adoption of smartphones, people now prefer their favorite meals delivered to their doorstep. Apps like Deliveroo have tapped into this shift, offering users seamless ordering experiences and restaurants access to a broader customer base.

If you're looking to build a food delivery app like Deliveroo, you're in the right place — and even better, you're not alone.

At True Value Infosoft, the best app development company in India, we specialize in turning bold app ideas into thriving digital platforms. With a proven track record in mobile app development, we help startups, restaurants, and enterprises create robust, user-friendly, and scalable food delivery solutions. Whether you’re a small food chain or a large enterprise, we ensure your food delivery app stands out in an increasingly competitive market.

So, what does it take to develop a successful food delivery app like Deliveroo? How much does it cost? What features should you include to satisfy both hungry users and eager restaurant partners?

Let’s break it all down step-by-step.

Understanding the Deliveroo Business Model

Before diving into development, it’s essential to understand what makes Deliveroo successful.

Key Components of Deliveroo’s Model

  • Multi-party platform: Connecting customers, restaurants, and delivery agents.
  • Revenue streams:
    • Delivery fees from users
    • Commission from restaurants
    • Subscription models like Deliveroo Plus
  • Real-time delivery tracking
  • AI-driven logistics optimization
  • Customer loyalty programs

Your app will need to support multiple user types, offer seamless integration between them, and handle payments, deliveries, and order tracking effortlessly.

Core Features of a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo

To replicate the functionality and appeal of Deliveroo, you need to build a robust feature set — broken down into three main panels: Customer, Restaurant, and Delivery Agent, plus an Admin Dashboard.

1. Customer App Features

  • User Registration/Login: Email, phone, or social media.
  • Restaurant Listings: Categorized, filterable, and sorted by ratings, cuisine, or proximity.
  • Menu Browsing: Visual menus with images, descriptions, prices, and dietary info.
  • Add to Cart: Modify orders before checkout.
  • Real-Time Order Tracking: Live delivery status and ETA.
  • Multiple Payment Options: Credit/Debit cards, wallets, UPI, COD.
  • Ratings and Reviews: For dishes and delivery service.
  • Push Notifications: Promotions, order updates, and delivery alerts.
  • Order History: View previous orders and reorder easily.
  • Referral Program: Encourage user growth.

2. Restaurant App Features

  • Restaurant Registration/Login
  • Dashboard Overview: Orders, revenue, ratings.
  • Menu Management: Add/remove items, change prices, availability.
  • Order Notifications: Real-time updates on new orders.
  • Order Management: Accept/reject orders, set preparation time.
  • Earnings Summary
  • Customer Feedback Management

3. Delivery Partner App Features

  • Registration & Verification
  • Real-Time Delivery Requests
  • Navigation Integration: Google Maps, Waze, etc.
  • Earnings Dashboard
  • Order Delivery Status Update
  • Chat/Call with Customers
  • Availability Toggle

4. Admin Panel Features

  • User Management: Customers, restaurants, delivery agents.
  • Restaurant Approval Workflow
  • Order Monitoring
  • Commission Management
  • Content Management: Terms, banners, promo codes.
  • Reports & Analytics
  • Push Notification Control

Advanced Features to Stay Ahead

Advanced Features to Stay Ahead

To truly stand out, you need to go beyond the basics. Advanced features can help enhance the user experience, streamline logistics, and boost loyalty.

1. AI-Powered Recommendations

  • Suggest meals based on past orders, time of day, or trending dishes.

2. Scheduled Orders

  • Let customers order food in advance for future delivery.

3. Loyalty & Rewards

  • Points system or stamp cards to reward regular users.

4. Multi-Language & Multi-Currency Support

  • Essential for scaling internationally.

5. In-App Chat Support

  • Connect users with delivery agents or customer support in real time.

6. Dynamic Pricing

  • Adjust delivery fees based on distance, time, or demand.

Tech Stack Overview (No Code)

While we won’t dive into code, it's important to understand the technology choices that will power your app. Here's a high-level overview:

  • Frontend (Mobile Apps): React Native, Flutter
  • Backend: Node.js, Django, Laravel
  • Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Firebase
  • Real-Time: Socket.io, Firebase
  • Payments: Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal
  • Maps & Geolocation: Google Maps API
  • Push Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging
  • Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure

At True Value Infosoft, we select tech stacks based on scalability, performance, and the client’s long-term vision.

Step-by-Step Food Delivery App Development Process

Step-by-Step Food Delivery App Development Process

Step 1: Market Research & Competitor Analysis

  • Understand the landscape.
  • Identify your target audience.
  • Analyze competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.

Step 2: Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

  • Are you offering faster delivery? Better pricing? Organic food only?
  • Clarify what makes you different.

Step 3: Choose the Right App Development Partner

  • Experience, portfolio, and post-launch support matter.
  • That’s why many entrepreneurs choose True Value Infosoft, known for delivering on time, on budget, and beyond expectations.

Step 4: UI/UX Design

  • Wireframes
  • User flow charts
  • High-fidelity mockups
  • Interactive prototypes

Step 5: Development (Agile Approach))

  • Break features into sprints.
  • Build, test, review, and iterate.

Step 6: Quality Assurance & Testing

  • Manual and automated testing
  • Load testing
  • Device/browser compatibility
  • Security audits

Step 7: Deployment

  • Play Store & App Store submission
  • Web dashboard hosting
  • Initial performance monitoring

Step 8: Maintenance & Upgrades

  • Regular updates based on user feedback
  • Performance optimization
  • Feature additions

Cost to Develop a Food Delivery App Like Deliveroo

App development costs vary based on scope, complexity, features, and location of your development team.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

Phase Estimated Cost (USD)
Discovery & Planning $2,000 – $5,000
UI/UX Design $3,000 – $8,000
Customer App Development $8,000 – $20,000
Restaurant Panel $5,000 – $12,000
Delivery Agent App $4,000 – $10,000
Admin Panel $5,000 – $12,000
API Development & Integration $6,000 – $15,000
QA & Testing $3,000 – $8,000
Deployment $1,000 – $3,000

Total Estimated Cost: $37,000 – $93,000

Costs can be reduced or increased based on your specific requirements and the region you hire from. Hiring an offshore team like True Value Infosoft can give you premium results at competitive prices.

Monetization Strategies for Your Food Delivery App

A profitable food delivery app needs multiple revenue streams:

  • Delivery Charges: From customers based on order value or distance.
  • Commission from Restaurants: Percentage of every order.
  • Subscription Plans: Like Deliveroo Plus.
  • Advertising: Featured listings for restaurants.
  • Surge Pricing: Dynamic pricing during peak hours.

Common Challenges in Food Delivery App Development

Common Challenges in Food Delivery App Development

1. Real-Time Tracking & Mapping Accuracy

Solution: Use high-accuracy GPS APIs and machine learning for route optimization.

2. Delivery Logistics

Solution: Build smart dispatch algorithms and integrate fleet management.

3. Payment Failures or Disputes

Solution: Integrate trusted payment gateways and have strong refund policies.

4. User Retention

Solution: Loyalty programs, push notifications, and excellent UX.

True Value Infosoft – The Best App Development Company in India

  • Industry Leader: True Value Infosoft is recognized as one of the leading app development companies in India, trusted by startups, SMEs, and enterprises worldwide.
  • Expertise in Mobile App Development: Specializes in building high-performance Android, iOS, and cross-platform apps tailored to various industries.
  • Full-Stack Development Services: Offers end-to-end solutions — from UI/UX design and development to testing, deployment, and post-launch support.
  • Skilled Team: Comprises experienced developers, designers, and project managers who are passionate about delivering excellence.
  • Agile Development Approach: Uses modern agile methodologies to ensure faster delivery, real-time updates, and flexibility throughout the development process.
  • Client-Centric Solutions: Focuses on understanding the client’s vision and delivering custom apps that align with business goals.
  • High Security Standards: Ensures top-tier app security with secure coding practices, data encryption, and robust testing.
  • Scalable & Future-Ready Apps: Builds applications that are not only scalable but also ready to adapt to emerging tech trends.
  • Global Recognition: Trusted by clients across the US, UK, Europe, and Asia for consistent quality and timely delivery.
  • One-Stop Destination: From idea to app store, True Value Infosoft handles it all — making it the best app development partner for your business.

Conclusion

Developing a food delivery app like Deliveroo is more than just a trend — it’s an opportunity to tap into a fast-growing market and build a brand people love and rely on daily.

But building the next big app requires more than an idea. It needs the right technology, features, team, and long-term vision.

That’s where True Value Infosoft, the best app development company in India, comes in. With a wealth of experience in on-demand app development, our team is ready to help you craft a food delivery solution that’s functional, scalable, and truly delightful.

Whether you’re a solo founder or a restaurant chain ready to go digital, we offer tailor-made solutions designed to match your vision and budget.

Let’s turn your food delivery app dream into reality — one tap at a time.

FAQs

Development time typically ranges from 4 to 8 months, depending on features, complexity, and platforms (Android, iOS, web).

Yes! Building a Minimum Viable Product with essential features is a smart and cost-effective way to launch, gather feedback, and scale iteratively.

Using secure payment gateways, encrypted user data storage, and regular security audits will help maintain a safe environment for users.

We bring experience, innovation, and dedication to every project. With a focus on performance, design, and scalability, our team helps you not just build an app — but grow a business.

Absolutely. We offer full-cycle support — from development to post-launch maintenance, performance tracking, feature updates, and beyond.

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