How to Start a Food Delivery App Like DoorDash?
By idea2appAdmin
July 18, 2025
Table of Contents
Want To Make Millions of Dollars in Revenue? Make an App Like DoorDash! The food App that delivers food has become very popular recently. According to the most recent study, by 2025, 2 billion people were using food delivery apps. Just imagine that number today. Therefore, the global food delivery apps industry is projected to grow to $43 billion in 2025. By 2029, the industry is expected to have reached the $320 billion mark.
In the USA, DoorDash is the most popular food delivery app, with a 50% market share. The popularity of this app for delivery has generated considerable interest. Ultimately, who wouldn’t want to build an app that can make people rich?
In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about food delivery app like DoorDash. Let’s dive right in!
DoorDash is an on-demand food delivery application that enables users to place orders with their preferred restaurants and have food delivered to their homes, workplaces, or any other location with a valid address. They can also opt for a self-pickup service to get their desired food items themselves. Consider it an online platform that allows users to browse menus and view available options, as well as ongoing deals and promotions, from multiple eateries all under one roof.
Entrepreneurs looking to launch a food delivery business should understand how they can generate revenue. Determine the strategy of your company by using the following model:
DoorDash is a delivery service that delivers food from restaurants straight to your door. This is a significant source of revenue for the restaurant industry. The restaurant owners are paid DoorDash commissions ranging from 15% to 30% for every order.
Customers who subscribe to the basic plan are subject to higher delivery costs and are restricted to a limited service area. The most affordable premium plan offers a minimum of 20 free deliveries per month to customers.
Everyone is looking to get on top of the results. This is why Doordash makes use of other food providers. To promote and advertise meal delivery within the app, the service incurs a monthly fee. This allows restaurants to rank first in the rankings and also to offer substantial discounts.
Drivers, also known as “Dashers,” are employed by DoorDash to ensure the secure and punctual delivery of food. Customers are charged delivery costs determined by the distance traveled by Dashers. The average delivery cost is $5 to $8 per order.
The food delivery market is growing rapidly and is expected to continue evolving in the years to come. Here are a few trends to keep an eye out for:
One of the hottest trending areas for food delivery is the use of AI to personalize food. Food delivery services utilize AI machines and algorithms that analyze the history of orders, as well as local weather and events, which allows them to predict consumer demand changes well ahead of time. Food delivery applications powered by AI utilize machine learning to track GPS data along with real-time traffic information to determine the most efficient delivery routes.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, for transporting food, parcels, medical supplies, and other products is among the rising trends in food delivery. Food delivery is growing in popularity because it can eliminate on-ground obstacles, such as traffic jams and geographical barriers, as well as poor infrastructure, that hinder traditional delivery methods.
Thanks to the latest technological advances, ghost kitchens and virtual brands are emerging as essential trends in food delivery, particularly for those planning to develop a food delivery service or business and looking to expand their client base.
Both are restaurant concepts that deliver exclusively through ghost kitchens, meaning that these kitchens are not available in brick-and-mortar locations. The only method to obtain the food they serve is via the internet for food delivery.
Virtual restaurants offer a delivery-only menu made by the kitchen of an establishment (an already-established brand). To operate a virtual restaurant, it is necessary to have, at a minimum, a brick-and-mortar establishment.
For those planning to establish an online delivery service, the hyperlocal model of food delivery is among the latest trends in the food delivery industry to consider. The hyperlocal marketplace is designed to meet the needs of a specific geographic area, catering to the residents of that region.
It includes not only food, but also groceries, house, personal care, and more. This type of food delivery is designed for areas with a small delivery radius of only a few kilometers. It reduces delivery time and makes logistics more efficient.
As environmental issues become more prevalent, numerous businesses are seeking to implement eco-friendly and sustainable methods. They are utilizing technologies to reduce the environmental impact associated with transporting food products throughout the entire food supply chain. The goal is to limit food waste, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and promote efficient and responsible food distribution.
Here are some of the ways you can join in the craze of this new trend in food delivery:
Numerous restaurants have incorporated voice-activated food orders into their online menus. The technology utilizes AI-powered speech recognition. It allows customers to place their food and drink orders by speaking to the restaurant, which is a fast and easy method to navigate menus and choose items.
The voice-activated food ordering system features various components that further enhance its effectiveness and create a more engaging experience for customers. For example, the system offers customization options that enable it to recall prior orders and preferences.
A subscription-based food delivery model offers customers regular food deliveries, typically on a weekly or monthly basis, for a recurring subscription fee. From a business standpoint, it’s feasible due to the small cost and the high operational efficiency that comes from fixed orders. Additionally, you can enjoy lower delivery costs once the quantity of orders for each day is confirmed.
Utilizing AR or virtual menus has become one of the latest developments in the food delivery industry. It enables restaurants to design interactive menus for their food service delivery systems. By using AR technologies and virtual menus, consumers can view their meals within their environment.
This will enhance the virtual experience of food testing by allowing users to personalize their menus, gain a greater understanding of portions and ingredients, as well as the overall appearance, before making a purchase.
Orders based on health and wellness are increasing in popularity as more people seek to balance convenience and taste without jeopardizing their nutritional objectives. Numerous delivery platforms are offering healthier choices, including salads, customizable meals, and vegetarian options.
Additionally, they provide nutrition information in menus and apps, which can help customers make more informed decisions, particularly when following specific health guidelines. Some companies also utilize technology to offer customized food delivery services and personalized nutritional plans tailored to individual dietary requirements.
Blockchain makes sure that everyone involved in the supply chain – farmers as well as transporters, retailers, and even consumers can see the origin of the food and what transpired to it during its journey. It is an electronic “paper trail” that records each step. For instance, if food is packed, harvested, and shipped or stored, every action is immediately recorded on the blockchain.
The growing use of predictive analysis is among the most significant trends transforming the food delivery sector. It is becoming increasingly utilized in food delivery to enhance customer satisfaction, improve efficiency, and increase profits. With predictive analytics, companies can use historical data and various factors, such as weather, holidays, and events, to forecast future demand. They can also analyze traffic patterns and optimize delivery routes to ensure quicker deliveries.
Frequent travelers want the comforts of home-cooked regional cuisine. As a result, the growth of ethnic and local food-related startups is among the latest trends in food delivery. Many businesses expand to offer regional dishes to larger cities. There exist cloud kitchens that specialize in regional cuisines and bring authentic flavors right to customers’ doorsteps.
To meet increasing customer demand for quick meals and shorter wait times, many food delivery companies are offering expedited delivery and promises of food in 10 minutes or less.
To ensure delivery passengers, another booming trend in food delivery is the use of preventive measures, such as micro-kitchens, better routing plans, and autonomous vehicles that deliver food items within a specified time. This will ensure faster service for customers while also ensuring the safety of riders, thereby increasing the business’s performance and profitability.
There are health and nutrition apps that can aid users in their mental and physical fitness goals. However, there’s a growing number of food delivery platforms that are seeking to integrate such apps on their platforms.
This will enable users to create dietary restrictions within the fitness app, and a food delivery app could utilize this information to identify restaurants and suggest meals that align with these restrictions. By synchronizing diet and fitness apps, users can easily monitor their calorie intake, for example, by scanning barcodes on items delivered.
To keep up with current trends in food delivery, the platforms are working hard to provide users with a smooth and effortless experience. Customers can now access food delivery services through various platforms, including apps, websites, social media, and even voice assistants, using any device, regardless of the operating system they are using. If it’s a mobile device, computer, or even a smartwatch, customers can place orders, view the status of their orders, and communicate with the app at any time, from anywhere.
Before you begin working on your app for the food delivery development project, it is essential to contact the most suitable developer for the food delivery business. When you have found the perfect partner, it’s time to begin preparing the most important DoorDash app features and functions to incorporate into your app.
Food delivery apps cater to three types of customers. For each of them, it is necessary to select specific features of the food delivery app, as well as its design.
The user experience is always the primary focus, so the design should prioritize user-friendliness and simplicity. When designing an app for food ordering, allow users to find the restaurant they want to place an order at. These are the functions and features to think about:
The registration or creation of a profile is the first screen users will see. The goal should be to provide an easy experience for end-users. Customers can use their social profiles to sign in, making sign-up simple, quick, and safe.
For a meal delivery service, the search feature is the primary aspect. Whatever it is that your customers are looking for, you should provide them with the closest restaurants that offer it. This will reduce the time required for delivery. Furthermore, it will allow users to filter their devices while minimizing the number of faucets.
Users will discard your app if they can’t quickly add or remove items easily. Additionally, a fluid management of cards will also ensure a smooth payment experience for users. Give a wide variety of payment options for your customers. Secure payment is an additional factor to consider.
Customers want to keep track of their order history for various reasons, and when they need to do so, they expect it to be done with urgency. It is essential to provide a clear history of orders for customers. Additionally, allow them to review and rate restaurants, providing their feedback that can be useful to other users.
It’s about managing profiles or distributing orders to restaurants; the administrator plays a crucial role in the food delivery app. However, the application comes with two separate admin panels: one for restaurants and one for the admin. We will use both here.
Verifying and identifying the restaurants is an essential task performed by administrators. Administrators manage profiles. They list the restaurants and then confirm the identities of the parties. Restaurants, then, can access the portals to handle orders. They also manage the users’ profiles. Therefore, the overall management must be effective.
Restaurants also utilize administrative panels, so when designing an admin system, be sure to consider the restaurant’s order management requirements. The process of taking and allocating orders should be simple for restaurants while minimizing the duration.
It is one of the main features of restaurants and food delivery apps. Each on-demand food delivery app development firm is focused on making the dashboard as robust as possible. It is referred to as the central point of control for the app.
The delivery people are just as important as administrators and users. Delivery agents form the core of food delivery apps. They’re the ones who ensure that food items are delivered as quickly as possible.
The process for delivery people could be complicated since they’ll use their vehicles to deliver food items. Ensure the process is easy to understand for the casual user. This applies to the verification process used for delivery agents as well. You must keep the security up to date to prevent fraud in your application as an agent for delivery.
Notifications via push for delivery needs are equally crucial as the final customer experience. If the delivery person is unable to take the delivery correctly, the user’s wait time will be extended. Allow delivery personnel to quickly accept or decline tasks by prominently highlighting the price.
Tracking GPS and navigation is a challenging feature to include in an app that delivers food, which is why you need to locate a reputable developer of food delivery apps to incorporate these functions. Delivery service providers will be able to start navigating within the app.
Order and payment history will enable agents to review all prior deliveries, ensuring they can track their progress. It will be a simple and efficient process. Additionally, incorporating the wallet system into your website is an excellent idea.
While the main functions and features are essential in implementing a practical food delivery application, the revenue & Engagement factors for a Food Delivery App are equally necessary to consider. Hence, plan your engagement factors effectively.
You need a well-thought-out strategy for launching an effective food delivery app like DoorDash. Be sure to follow these guidelines if you are looking to compete with competitors:
Research what your customers want, what’s trending in the field, and who your competitors are. Look for opportunities in the market and capitalize on these opportunities. This will help you understand the audience you are targeting and will enable you to make your application stand out in the food delivery market.
Find out what makes your app for food delivery different from other apps. Ensure you address specific customer issues, such as speedier delivery, a variety of filtering options for apps, or a more user-friendly interface.
Before beginning development for delivery apps, select a business model that aligns with your goals and the audience you aim to reach. You could choose to work with restaurants, or provide an already-designed solution to these, like.
Select a reputable company that has developed mobile applications, particularly those for food delivery. Review their portfolio to confirm they possess the necessary knowledge and experience to build your customized food delivery app.
After doing some research, determine the uniqueness of your app. You may already have an ideal food delivery app concept, but it’s not simple to choose the specific features that your app will offer. If you require assistance, please contact us to discuss your app idea and request a complimentary consultation.
Select the best technology stack, which includes your platform (iOS, Android, or both) and backend integration and management of databases. As we’ve mentioned before, JavaScript frameworks prove to be an excellent choice.
Let the experts design an intuitive and user-friendly app interface for you. You are welcome to discuss the idea with them and modify it as needed. Be sure to keep the user experience at the forefront so that the food delivery app is simple to use.
Ensure that you rigorously test the application, allowing developers to identify and resolve any issues or bugs that may arise. Tests include verifying that all functions operate as intended, ensuring the correct entry and output of data, and ensuring compatibility with various devices and operating platforms.
Ensure you have robust security in payment processing to protect your users’ data. This helps protect users and build confidence in the food delivery app you use.
Create your food delivery app through the app stores. Advertise it on different channels. Utilize social marketing programs or referral programs to attract new users.
If you’re planning to build food delivery app like DoorDash, it requires substantial investment that you need to be aware of before you begin the development process. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the costs it’s going to cost:
The costs for development will primarily be determined by the features you would like to include in your application. This could include:
The initial cost of the development effort can range from $50,000 to $200,000 or more, depending on the project’s function and level of complexity.
After development, it is essential to test for updates and bugs to ensure that your app is up-to-date with the latest platforms and devices. Maintenance costs for a year could range between $5,000 and $15,000.
Marketing your application is essential and requires ongoing investment in SEO, social media marketing, influencer marketing, and other relevant strategies. It could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 annually, depending on the size and scope of the campaign.
DoorDash is the largest food delivery platform USA and is expected to generate $10.72 billion by 2025. Here are some profit-making strategies for DoorDash that a budding entrepreneur can implement to generate income.
The commission-based model of business involves receiving a percentage of each order made by customers by using the application. It is among the most well-known business models in food delivery apps, which allow companies to receive compensation based on the volume of orders.
The subscription model of charging restaurants enables them to offer additional benefits, such as enhanced visibility to the public, featured listings, and access to a broader audience. This is a way to ensure that you can create an ongoing and consistent revenue stream for your app, while also expanding the number of customers who patronize your restaurant.
One of the most efficient ways to earn money is to charge customers a delivery charge per purchase. Additionally, using price increases during peak periods (e.g., holidays, weekends, or adverse weather conditions) can help maximize demand and increase your profits.
You can easily create an advertisement section for restaurants or local companies to announce specials or new items. Advertising or sponsored listings, for instance, can be a lucrative source of revenue since shoppers will flock to your site.
The inclusion of premium features, such as speedier service, prioritized customer care, or access to exclusive deals at restaurants, can generate an additional revenue stream. Customers who are willing to spend more money on the app must be able to enjoy advantages in terms of the app’s financial viability.
We are the most renowned food delivery app development company in America, with a track record of developing popular apps for ordering food and restaurant companies. We offer top-of-the-line food delivery apps for businesses of all sizes.
Our expert team focuses on analyzing the client’s needs and problems, recommending the best solutions, and implementing the plan and the desired product. If you’re an operator in the food industry, Idea2App can deliver the best capabilities and features that your business and end-users require. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Building a DoorDash-like app is undoubtedly a great business idea; however, it requires many steps, a massive investment, and a thorough market study. If you’re willing to invest in the development and marketing of a top-quality app, the possibilities are almost limitless, given the rising demand for meal delivery services.
To transform your idea into reality, you need to locate and hire mobile app developers with expertise in developing and designing food delivery apps.
Ensure you have the right resources, target the appropriate user base, and determine how to implement and grow the concept into a full-fledged application.
To achieve this, you must engage mobile app developers who closely match your needs and have experience developing an app like DoorDash.
DoorDash is an online food delivery platform that connects customers to local eateries and autonomous delivery drivers. Customers can use the app to access menus, place orders, and track their deliveries in real-time. Restaurants can partner with DoorDash to expand their services and offer delivery to customers. Delivery drivers can use the app to locate the nearest delivery location, accept delivery requests, and earn money by delivering food items to customers.
Yes, you can run an on-demand delivery service similar to DoorDash by launching an established startup. We’ve discussed this before in our blog, which provides clear guidelines on how to build an app like DoorDash.
The cost to create a food delivery app like DoorDash app ranges from $35,000 to $450,000. The most important factors that affect the cost are listed below:
The launch of food delivery app like DoorDash, is a complex process that involves several legal requirements, including obtaining business licenses, complying with tax regulations, securing insurance, and ensuring transparency.