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What core features should be included in a food delivery app?
This article provides a clear guide on building a food delivery app that can compete with giants like DoorDash. Also, it covers essential steps from planning features to choosing technology and monetization to help you launch successfully.
Can you build the next big delivery app that rivals DoorDash?
With the food and grocery delivery market projected to surpass $320 billion globally, now is the perfect time to enter the on-demand app space. However, turning a simple food order into a seamless digital experience involves more than just listing restaurants.
The real challenge lies in creating a platform that connects users, drivers, and businesses while managing real-time tracking, secure payments, and scalable infrastructure. That’s where building an app like DoorDash comes in.
In this comprehensive blog, you’ll learn how to design, develop, and launch a competitive food delivery app from the ground up. From feature planning to technology choices and monetization strategies, this blog equips you with everything you need to get started.
Apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats , and others dominate the delivery apps ecosystem because they simplify food access from local restaurants, grocery stores, and retail stores. You can order food ahead, track your delivery in real time, and pay—all in a few taps.
Here’s why creating your food delivery app is a smart move:
| Market Drivers | Details |
|---|---|
| Increased Demand | More people order food and shop via delivery apps than ever before |
| Flexible Work Models | Drivers can set their own schedule and own hours |
| Multi-Industry Integration | Partner with grocery stores, retail delivery partners Walgreens, and more |
| Monetization Potential | Revenue through delivery fees, restaurant commissions, and ads |
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Must-have features for users, admins, and delivery agents
The best technologies to build a scalable and secure platform
How to integrate key systems like payments, maps, and real-time tracking
Steps to launch, market, and monetize your app like DoorDash
A successful delivery app must satisfy three main users: customers, delivery agents, and administrators.
| Feature | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Profile Management | Sign up via email or social media; manage preferences, addresses, and payment method |
| Restaurant & Grocery Search | Filter by location, cuisine, or ratings and reviews |
| Order Placement | Add food items to cart, customize, and order food ahead |
| Real-Time Order Tracking | Track from restaurant prep to when the order arrives |
| Scheduled & Group Ordering | Useful for planning ahead or splitting meals with others |
| Rating & Reviews | Improve quality through customer feedback |
Delivery agents—often working as independent contractors—are the logistical heart of any food delivery app.
Sign up with a valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle
Accept or reject orders based on driving distance and delivery fee
Use GPS for navigation via Google Maps
Track base pay, customer tips, and instant pay earnings
Work as full-service shoppers or in-store shoppers, depending on the business model
Admins manage the entire ecosystem.
Onboard restaurants, including national restaurant partners McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Panda Express.
Assign orders to the nearest available delivery person
Monitor app performs drivers ’ earnings reports, and restaurant orders
Handle restrictions, apply cases, and limited availability issues
Building your app like DoorDash means assembling the right tech stack.
Mobile App: Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android), or React Native (cross-platform)
Backend: Node.js, Django, or Spring Boot
Database: PostgreSQL or MongoDB
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Google Maps API | Real-time order tracking, ETAs, and delivery routes |
| Stripe or PayPal | Secure payment method processing |
| Firebase/OneSignal | Push notifications for eligible pickup orders or promos |
| Twilio | SMS confirmations and alerts |
Host your app on AWS or Google Cloud for scalability and reliability.
How do you make money or even more money?
Here’s how the top delivery apps do it:
| Revenue Stream | Description |
|---|---|
| Delivery Fee | Charged to users per food order, can vary based on distance |
| Restaurant Commission | Charge a % from restaurants on every order |
| Advertising | Feature favorite restaurants or exclusive items |
| Subscription Plans | Like DashPass (note: membership auto renews) |
Focus on UX/UI: Simple, clean, intuitive.
Partner with top brands like Burger King, Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, and Boston Market
Offer flexibility so delivery partners feel like their own boss and can earn money on their schedule
Include cancel anytime and select pickup options to enhance convenience
Ensure transparency in hourly wage, base pay, and fast pay structures
Make sure your app complies with:
CCPA for California residents
Tax reporting for independent contractors
Employment laws for gig workers
Offer services from Sprouts Farmers Market, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Grocery Outlet, and Tractor Supply.
Promote deals and discounts via social media. a
Highlight how drivers can make money delivering, with extra money options like priority zones.
Provide instant pay and fast pay to attract delivery partners
Creating an app like DoorDash offers a powerful solution to one of today’s biggest consumer demands—fast, reliable, and flexible delivery. By combining essential features for users, admins, and delivery agents with scalable technologies like cloud infrastructure, real-time tracking, and secure payment systems, you can address key industry challenges head-on: logistics, user experience, and platform reliability.
As on-demand services continue to reshape how people order food, shop from grocery stores, and interact with local restaurants, now is the time to seize this opportunity. The demand for convenient, tech-driven solutions is only growing—delaying could mean missing out on a rapidly expanding market.
Ready to bring your delivery app vision to life? Start planning, building, and launching today—your future customers are already ordering.
