The food delivery market is growing rapidly because customers today prefer convenience, speed, and variety. Apps like Grubhub have transformed the way people order meals by connecting restaurants, delivery partners, and customers on one seamless platform. If you are planning to enter this booming industry, building a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub can be a profitable and scalable business idea.
However, developing such an app is not just about creating a simple ordering interface. You need a complete ecosystem that includes restaurant management, delivery tracking, secure payments, customer support, and real-time order updates. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about building a food delivery app like Grubhub, from features to development steps, cost, and business model.
Understanding How Grubhub Works
Before you start building, it is important to understand the working model of Grubhub. The platform operates as a marketplace where users can browse restaurants, order food, and get it delivered. Restaurants list their menus, customers place orders, and delivery partners pick up the food and deliver it to the customer.
Grubhub earns revenue by charging commissions from restaurants, delivery fees from customers, and sometimes additional advertising fees for restaurant promotions. This marketplace model makes it highly scalable and profitable when executed correctly.
Why Build a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub?
The demand for online food delivery continues to rise due to:
Busy lifestyles and preference for quick meals
Increased smartphone usage
Growth of cloud kitchens and online-only restaurants
Rising demand for contactless and digital payments
Convenience of doorstep delivery
Building a food delivery app gives businesses the opportunity to capture a large customer base while creating long-term revenue streams.
Types of Food Delivery Apps You Can Build
When planning your app, you must decide what type of food delivery business model you want to follow.
1. Restaurant-to-Customer Model
Here, restaurants manage their own delivery system. The app works as an ordering platform only.
2. Aggregator Model (Like Grubhub)
The app acts as a bridge between customers, restaurants, and delivery partners. Delivery can be handled by either restaurants or your platform.
3. Cloud Kitchen Model
You own the kitchen and manage the entire food preparation and delivery process.
For most startups, the aggregator model is the most profitable because it offers scalability and multiple income sources.
Key Features of a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub
To successfully build an app like Grubhub, you need to develop three major panels: Customer App, Restaurant App, and Delivery Partner App, along with an Admin Dashboard.
Customer App Features
1. User Registration & Login
Users should be able to sign up easily using email, phone number, or social logins like Google and Apple.
2. Restaurant Search & Filters
Customers must be able to search restaurants by:
Cuisine type
Ratings
Distance
Delivery time
Price range
3. Menu Browsing
A clear menu with food images, prices, customization options, and add-ons is essential.
4. Cart & Checkout
A smooth checkout experience with promo codes, tax calculation, and delivery charges should be included.
5. Multiple Payment Options
Support multiple payment methods such as:
Credit/Debit cards
UPI and wallets
Net banking
Cash on delivery
6. Real-Time Order Tracking
Customers love tracking their order status from preparation to delivery using GPS tracking.
7. Reviews & Ratings
Users should be able to rate restaurants, delivery partners, and overall service.
8. Order History
Order history allows repeat ordering and saves user preferences.
9. Push Notifications
Push notifications for offers, order updates, and delivery status improve engagement.
Restaurant App Features
1. Restaurant Profile Management
Restaurants should manage their details such as timings, address, cuisine type, and delivery availability.
2. Menu Management
Restaurants should be able to add/edit menu items, prices, images, and availability.
3. Order Acceptance & Processing
Restaurants need a dashboard to accept or reject orders quickly and update the order status.
4. Earnings and Reports
Restaurants should view sales reports, commission deductions, and weekly/monthly earnings.
5. Promotions & Discounts
Restaurant owners should have the option to run offers to attract customers.
Delivery Partner App Features
1. Easy Signup and Verification
Delivery partners should register with identity verification, driving license, and vehicle details.
2. Order Requests & Acceptance
Delivery agents must receive real-time order requests and accept them instantly.
3. GPS Navigation
Integration with Google Maps helps delivery partners reach the restaurant and customer location easily.
4. Earnings Dashboard
A section to track completed deliveries, incentives, and total earnings.
5. Delivery Status Updates
Delivery partners should update order status like “Picked Up” and “Delivered.”
Admin Panel Features
The admin panel is the backbone of the entire system. It should allow the platform owner to control everything.
Key features include:
Manage users, restaurants, and delivery partners
Approve or reject restaurant registrations
Track real-time orders
Commission and revenue settings
Manage offers, coupons, and referral programs
Analytics and performance reporting
Handle disputes and complaints
Advanced Features to Make Your App Stand Out
To compete in today’s market, basic features are not enough. Adding advanced functionalities can give you a competitive advantage.
1. AI-Based Food Recommendations
Personalized suggestions based on customer history improve sales and retention.
2. Live Chat Support
In-app chat between customers, delivery partners, and support teams increases trust.
3. Subscription Plans
You can offer premium memberships for free delivery or exclusive discounts.
4. Scheduled Delivery
Users can pre-order meals and schedule delivery for later.
5. Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support
This is useful if you want to expand internationally.
Step-by-Step Process to Build a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub
Now let’s discuss the complete development process.
Step 1: Market Research and Business Planning
Before development begins, you must identify:
A strong plan ensures your app is not just another food delivery platform but a unique service.
Step 2: Choose the Right Business Model
Decide how you will generate revenue. Some popular monetization methods include:
Commission from restaurants
Delivery fees from customers
Advertisement placements
Featured listings for restaurants
Subscription memberships
Surge pricing during peak hours
Step 3: Define Features and App Workflow
Create a complete flow of how the app will work, including user journey, order placement, restaurant acceptance, and delivery process.
At this stage, wireframes and prototypes help visualize the design and functionality.
Step 4: Select the Right Technology Stack
Choosing the right tech stack ensures performance, scalability, and security.
Common tech stack includes:
Frontend: React Native, Flutter, Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
Backend: Node.js, Python, Laravel, Java
Database: MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
Maps & Tracking: Google Maps API
Payments: Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal
Step 5: UI/UX Design
A food delivery app must be visually appealing and easy to use. A clean UI design improves customer engagement and reduces app abandonment.
Design should focus on:
Easy navigation
Attractive food images
Simple checkout process
Clear order tracking
Step 6: App Development
Now the actual coding process begins. The app is built in modules, including:
Customer application
Restaurant dashboard
Delivery partner app
Admin panel
During development, it is important to focus on performance and smooth real-time tracking.
If you want fast, secure, and scalable development, choosing professional food delivery app development services can help you build a high-quality app without technical risk.
Step 7: Testing and Quality Assurance
Testing ensures the app is bug-free and works properly on all devices. Important testing includes:
Step 8: Launch and Deployment
Once tested, your app can be launched on:
Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Web-based admin panel
Before launch, ensure your store listing includes proper screenshots, keywords, and app description for better visibility.
Step 9: Marketing and User Acquisition
Launching the app is not enough. You must promote it using:
Step 10: Maintenance and Updates
After launch, continuous improvements are necessary to stay competitive. Regular updates help you add new features, fix bugs, and improve user experience.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub?
The cost depends on several factors such as app complexity, features, platform choice, and development team.
Estimated cost ranges:
Basic App: $5,000 - $8,000
Medium-Level App: $10,000 - $15,000
Advanced App Like Grubhub: $15,000+
The final cost also depends on whether you build a native app or cross-platform solution.
How Long Does It Take to Develop a Food Delivery App?
Development timeline varies based on features and technology.
Approximate timelines:
If you want a faster launch, start with an MVP and gradually add advanced features.
Challenges in Building a Food Delivery App
While the business opportunity is huge, there are challenges you must prepare for:
Managing real-time tracking accuracy
Handling restaurant order delays
Ensuring smooth payment processing
Maintaining customer support
Managing delivery partner availability
Scaling app performance with high traffic
A well-planned system and reliable development partner can solve most of these issues.
Conclusion
Building a successful food delivery platform requires careful planning, feature-rich development, and a strong business strategy. A Food Delivery App Like Grubhub is not just about ordering food it is about creating a complete ecosystem connecting customers, restaurants, and delivery partners efficiently.
From choosing the right business model and features to selecting a tech stack and launching with marketing strategies, every step plays a crucial role in success. If you want to build a scalable, secure, and user-friendly app, partnering with professional food delivery app development services can help you achieve faster development, better quality, and long-term growth.
