Food delivery has become a new normal, especially after the pandemic, and there is strong data to back it up. As per Statista, the total number of users in the food delivery industry is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2027. Various apps are popular among consumers, like Postmates, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Postmates is undoubtedly one of the admired apps among the US audiences, probably one of the prime reasons why Uber acquired it in 2020. Any business that wishes to invest in a food delivery app should consider the Postmates model as an inspiration and a great one to follow. Food delivery app development may seem tiring and complicated, but once you get an idea of the development process and partner up with an expert development company, the process becomes easier to follow. Through this blog, we explore important features, cost, and development steps of a food delivery mobile app. Postmates Statistics and Facts Postmates has over 9.3 million active monthly users who order 5 million items a month. Postmates generated $730 million in 2021, a 14% increase year over year. Postmates operates in over 3,000 cities in the USA. A subsidiary of Uber Eats, Postmates operates in the US and accounts for 23% of the company’s total revenue with a 2% market share. What is Postmates? Postmates is a popular on-demand delivery mobile application that permits users to order anything from local grocery stores, retail shops, or restaurants and have it delivered directly to their doorstep. The app was launched in 2011 in San Francisco and acquired by Uber in 2020. If you are planning to create an app like Postmates, first, you need to know about the important features and development process. Key Features of a Food Delivery App like Postmates A food delivery app like Postmates has features that are important for functionality, like any other delivery app. Although certain features are a must-have, such as user login, secure payment gateway, real-time order tracking, etc. Below, we have mentioned a list of different apps. Customer App Features User Registration & Profile: This feature makes it simple for users to register and log in. Search & Browse Restaurants/Stores: This function makes it simple for customers to look through the menu or merchandise of a restaurant or store. Real-time order tracking: Provide transparent real-time updates from order confirmation to delivery. Several Payment Options: For user convenience, there are several safe ways to pay, including wallets, UPI, cards, and cash-on-delivery (COD). Order Scheduling: This function allows customers to reserve meals or necessities in advance for delivery at a time of their choosing. Ratings & Reviews: Clients can provide candid comments regarding the cuisine they ordered and the delivery staff. Offers & Discounts: Customers can simultaneously view offers and discounts from several establishments. Push Notifications: Users receive notifications about the status of their deliveries, new deals, and app updates. Driver App Features Registration & Profile: Drivers get to create and manage their profiles effortlessly. Order Notifications: Drivers get instant notification regarding new order requests and customers’ instructions. Route Optimization & Navigation: Accurate maps and optimized routes to ensure rapid food delivery. Earnings Dashboard: Delivery person gets detailed insight into their daily earnings, payouts, and completed orders. Availability Toggle: This feature allows drivers to show their availability status. Ratings & Feedback: With the help of this feature, drivers can see customer feedback and ratings. Restaurant/Store App Features Menu Management: Restaurants can add new menu items, remove an item, or manage pricing. Order Management: Helps to simplify the process of tracking, receiving, and fulfilling consumer orders. Analytics Dashboard: Offers insight into sales, consumer preferences, and trends to execute data-driven decisions. Promotions & Discounts: This feature allows you to share offers and discounts. Admin Panel Features User Management: Helps the admin manage users and drivers. Helps the admin manage users and drivers. With this, the admin can monitor user activity, verify accounts, manage complaints, etc. Order Management: This feature gives the admin complete control over the orders, whether incoming or completed orders. Analytics & Reports: Ensure to add this feature in the food delivery app development as this tool offers an insight into the app’s performance, such as sales trends, favored dishes, etc. Payment Management: Payment management permits the admin to track payments, all transactions, manage funds, etc. Promotions & Notifications: Admin can showcase offers, send notifications to customers, and promote marketing campaigns. Content Management: It allows updating app content, adding or removing any content, and ensures that the app looks appealing. How to Make an App like Postmates Following, we have mentioned significant steps that must be taken before and during app development; Research the Market Before launching your food delivery app, learn about the market, rivals, their strategies, statistics, and the entire process. Recognize customer needs, identify gaps in the offerings of your rivals, and attempt to fill those gaps with your app. Determine the goal of your on-demand delivery apps. For assistance in configuring your on-demand delivery app, speak with a mobile app development business. Choose a Business Model and Revenue Model There are numerous apps for food delivery, including Postmates. After examining their income and business methods, decide which app is best for starting an on-demand meal delivery service. Recognize the revenue and business models that your competitors in the market are using. Finalize App Features You must concentrate on the app’s core while creating a food delivery service similar to Postmates: Finalization of features. Start with the area for user registration and profiles. Users should be able to register through the application, and the profiles section should display all of their personal information. The second essential feature for the on-demand food delivery app is a restaurant listing. Ratings, addresses, menus, prices, and other relevant information should be included when listing restaurants. Provide clients and delivery partners with real-time GPS tracking. For a smooth order checkout process, incorporate an in-app payment system into your on-demand food delivery app, such as Postmates. UI/UX Design Another important development step

Since its founding in 2004, Grubhub has grown to become one of the most widely used meal delivery applications in the United States. Similar to other food apps, this one generated a lot of excitement when it first launched and gradually gained popularity among U.S. citizens. Are you wondering why? The popularity of a mobile application can never be attributed to a single factor. Any food app that is now booming has several characteristics that satisfy customers, including timely order fulfillment, robust customer service, and more. Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates are just a few of the many applications that have millions of users, growing sales, and a strategic revolution. In this blog, we’ll discover the steps, features, and how to build a food delivery app like Grubhub in 2025. With the food delivery industry experiencing rapid technological advancements, businesses now have a golden opportunity to tap into this growing market. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, understanding what makes these apps successful will help you create a platform that stands out in a competitive landscape. Why Build a Food Delivery App Like Grubhub? Before we discuss the cost and features of Grubhub, let’s first understand why it’s a great investment move. Massive Market Size: The food market is ever-evolving, with significant developments occurring in this sector, especially following the integration of artificial intelligence. The global market is expected to cross $500 billion by the end of 2030. User Behavior Shift: Nowadays, consumers expect quick outcomes, and this speed is not limited to the food delivery market. Businesses that offer food or groceries must provide an app that recommends items and offers contactless delivery. Apps like Grubhub have gained popularity because of rapid user satisfaction goals. Restaurant Growth and Demand: Almost every eatery in 2025 depends on delivery mobile apps for profit and survival. Without online orders, food joints can face huge losses in incoming orders and sales. Innovative Possibilities and Opportunities: The integration of smart technology such as AI, AR, and drones has given us new and exciting ways to engage with consumers and optimize logistics. Core Features to Include in a Grubhub-Like App Customer App Features 1. User Registration: The most important feature is an easy signup or login. You can integrate features such as social login or one-tap sign-up to heighten user engagement. 2. Menu Search: Customers like to browse menus with attractive photos, prices, and descriptions before ordering food. This feature is the backbone when you build food delivery app solutions for a seamless user experience. 3. Contactless Delivery: Contactless delivery has become a standard for safety and convenience. Customers can request doorstep drop-offs without physical contact. This option is essential when you create a food delivery app like Grubhub for today’s safety-conscious users. 4. Track Orders in Real-Time: Real-time order tracking provides customers with transparency on their order status. From preparation to delivery, they can monitor each step. GPS integration ensures accuracy and builds trust with users. 5. Rate & Review: Ratings and reviews allow users to share feedback, helping restaurants improve services. Customers rely on these insights to make informed decisions. It also adds credibility to your platform. 6. Payment Integration: A secure payment system is essential for smooth transactions. Offer multiple options like cards, wallets, and UPI for convenience. Keep in mind that food delivery app development costs can vary based on the payment security features you integrate. Delivery Partner App Features 1. Simple Login: The Delivery partner app must contain a simple registration and login feature. A hassle-free process helps them start their day more effectively and inspires more people to join the platform. 2. Order Notification: New delivery requests are important and need to be addressed almost immediately. This is a significant feature as it helps to meet users’ demands more quickly. 3. Navigation and Route Optimization: If you want to build a food delivery like Grubhub, then this amazing and beneficial feature is a must-have! Integrated GPS navigation not only helps drivers but also saves precious time, because of which orders get delivered on time, eventually leading to better ratings. 4. Earnings Dashboard: With the use of this feature, partners can track their daily and weekly earnings easily. 5. Order History: A detailed order history lets delivery partners check completed deliveries and earnings. Keep in mind that implementing such features can influence the app’s cost. 6. Availability Toggle: Drivers can set their availability status with a single tap. Adding this when you create a food delivery app like Grubhub ensures flexibility and better order distribution. Restaurant Panel Features 1. Profile Management: With this feature, owners can update their profile to keep users informed about opening hours, contact details, address, and other details. 2. Menu Management: A flexible menu permits restaurants to change their menu, prices, or upload new images. This is essential because when you create a food app, an updated menu directly impacts sales. 3. Order Management: This feature enables restaurants to accept, reject, and update order status. 4. Inventory: Stock fulfillment is essential. Inventory management is important and has contributed to its success. 5. Earnings & Reports: Revenue detailed reports can be viewed for best-selling items and consumer trends. With this, advanced analytics can add great value to influence the food delivery app development cost. 6. Promotions & Discounts: When you plan to create a delivery app like Grubhub, this feature becomes a major selling point. You need to have the capacity to inform users about any latest discounts or promotion codes. Admin Panel App Features 1. Delivery Partner Management: Admins can manage delivery partners by approving any new registration that may come along, monitoring their activity, and making sure that everything complies with platform policies. 2. Order Monitoring & Control: With the help of this feature, the admin can track all previous orders, monitor delays or wrong deliveries in real-time. 3. Commission & Subscription Plan Management: As an admin, you also receive control over assigning commission rates for restaurants and subscription plans. When you

The food industry is growing exponentially, with artificial intelligence playing a major role in its seamless advancement. AI is revolutionizing the food industry every single day amidst the hustle and bustle—transforming how food is prepared, packed, and delivered. The advancement and implementation of AI undoubtedly enhance customer experience and promote the food sector. According to reports, the AI market capacity in the ever-evolving food industry is estimated to grow to around $13.39 billion in 2025 and $48.99 billion by 2029. AI in food industry is and will continue to drive change, bringing unimaginable growth and outcomes. Through this blog, we’ll delve deeper into transformative artificial intelligence applications in the food industry. Let’s check them out: Use Cases of AI in the Food Industry From changing the food safety measures to crafting personalized diet charts, AI has drastically shaped every direction of the food industry. Let’s explore some of the most impactful use cases of AI. AI-driven Food Safety Compliance Food safety is a priority for the majority of food manufacturers, and AI has taken over the role of a guardian. AI integration in quality control processes ensures compliance with food safety regulations, promoting consumers’ interests and brands alike. AI and robotic systems go through food samples in real time, detecting any irregularities and contaminants. While manual labor remains valuable in food industry processes, it is often prone to inaccuracies caused by factors such as fatigue, reduced concentration, and human error. For instance, an advanced AI-powered camera can scan fruits and vegetables in real-time for signs of decay or pests. Many companies are manufacturing such smart AI scanning technologies. Moreover, artificial intelligence is also being utilized in storage rooms and transport to monitor temperature and humidity. Predictive AI algorithms are also being heavily integrated to analyze historical data to foresee any safety risks. For example, if a batch has been linked to contamination earlier, the system can flag it for immediate inspection, preventing a potential crisis. AI in Food Manufacturing The expanding challenges and demand of consumers for on-time delivery, high-quality, and sustainability have inspired manufacturers to innovate and apply new smart AI methods. AI and robotics have become a necessary implementation at every stage of food production and packaging. AI-powered robots are being employed in different aspects, from sorting to cutting, blending, to cooking. Advanced artificial intelligence makes sure that the right set of tools, like particular tools for fruit slicing, are being deployed and optimized. Additionally, artificial intelligence in the food industry is an integral part in timely maintenance, for monitoring machinery performance in real time. If you’re looking to leverage AI for business analysis and better performance, you can build a food delivery app tailored to your specific needs and have it developed with intelligent features. AI in Packaging Food packaging is also a potent feature where AI has shown unmatchable potential. Robots that are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence can arrange exportable products for shipping, assemble ready-to-eat meals, and even adapt packaging to meet sustainability goals. AI systems perform high-quality checks at every stage, making certain that each package meets elevated standards, from seal integrity to ideal product weight. For example, for many years, several companies have been using AI to identify any inefficiencies in packaging materials, leading to waste reduction and enhancing sustainability metrics. AI in Food Delivery There has been a sudden rise in the demand for fast food delivery, which has given rise to many food delivery apps. This has propelled AI to the forefront of the industry, driving fascinating accuracy levels, speed improvement, and customer satisfaction. AI systems optimize order management by accurately predicting delivery times, managing workloads, and prioritizing orders based on preparation time and distance. Popular food delivery mobile apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash leverage machine learning algorithms to dynamically assign delivery drivers, ensuring food arrives hot and on time. Another innovation that needs to be credited here is autonomous delivery. Many organizations are now discovering AI-powered drone and robotics vehicles to deliver meals directly to consumers’ doorsteps. Moreover, AI enhances the overall customer experience by offering features such as: Personalized food recommendations, Real-time order tracking, and Intelligent delivery slot suggestions. If you’re looking to bring such innovation to your business, partnering with a food delivery app development company can help you create a smart, AI-powered platform tailored to your operational needs and customer expectations. Real-world Use Cases of AI in Food Industry Several known food companies have integrated AI into their food processing and packaging processes. Here are some of the examples; 1. Coca Cola Coca-Cola, a global brand, uses AI to carefully monitor and examine product quality through different stages of production. They utilize it to source their ingredients for the bottling phase. 2. Papa John’s Pizza Papa John’s Pizza franchise handled the incoming order rush during COVID with the help of AI. The call center, dubbed Papa Call, provided significant information to consumers and managed their daily sales. The famous pizza joint also integrated AI virtual software assistance like Alexa to help log orders. 3. Nestlé Nestlé leverages artificial intelligence for optimizing supply chain logistics to enhance product development. Artificial Intelligence helps the brand predict consumer behavior through data analysis and the latest market trends. Nestlé also uses AI in quality control, to catch any anomalies in production lines to maintain high standards. Additionally, the company applies AI-powered chatbots to improve customer support and engagement across its digital platforms. 4. Starbucks Starbucks utilizes AI to elevate both customer experience and operational efficiency. Through its Deep Brew AI platform, Starbucks personalizes marketing campaigns, predicts inventory needs, and customizes offers based on customer behavior. Starbucks has integrated AI into its mobile app as well. They use it to provide personalized recommendations and seamless ordering, contributing to a more intuitive and engaging customer journey. If you want to build a food delivery app, hire a professional delivery app development company like Codknox. We Can Build a Food Delivery App Tailored to Your Business Needs The Codknox team has

There has been a significant rise in the demand for doorstep food delivery since the pandemic. Though it’s been a few years since it ended, most people seem to stick to ordering food online. This customer need has pushed many businesses to build food delivery apps. This is mainly due to multiple factors like an increase in smartphone users, internet usage, and changing customer preferences. According to studies, the global online food delivery market is expected to cross the 1 trillion mark in 2025! This rapid growth has made the on-demand food delivery app a booming sector. Over 60% of customers now prefer ordering their food online instead of going to a restaurant. In 2025, consumer expectations are higher than ever. They expect more than food delivery; they want to be included and want to have the highest user experience. Now, if you are a business planning to launch or upgrade a food delivery app, you must understand which features are must-haves! In this blog, we’ll explore the top 5 features that are no longer optional. These features serve as the pillar that either makes or breaks an app’s success in today’s competitive landscape. Top 5 Essential Features Your Food Delivery App Needs in 2025 1. Real-time Order Tracking and ETA Updates People nowadays want to know it all! They want to know where their food has reached and how long will it take for the food to arrive. Real-time order tracking is a significant feature on which you can’t afford to compromise. It is the most requested feature by users, and in 2025, it is considered a standard. Real-time tracking acts as a communication point between all three parties- customers, business, and delivery partner. Moreover, it provides control over the customers. Your customer wants transparency, they wish to know what’s happening with their deliveries. And as a food business that aims to make a profit, you have to offer this feature to earn their trust and loyalty. If you miss out on this important feature, more than 60% of target consumers might consider looking for another service provider. How does Real-time Tracking work? The real-time tracking feature relies on GPS integration in a mobile app. The app connects a user with the delivery executive’s live location and displays the status on the user interface. The backend algorithms calculate the estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on current traffic, distance, and food order preparation time. All this happens at once. 2. Secure Payment Option This feature is paramount not just for food delivery apps but for every app existing on the face of the earth. In 2025, every app that offers a service will come with a payment gateway. A flawless checkout process is crucial. If consumers face payment issues or do not see their preferred mode as an option, they’re likely to abandon the cart. Food apps must support a wide variety of payment options. You can join hands with reputable payment gateways to offer a secure transition environment to users. Your business commitment to offer flexible and safe payment solutions instills confidence in consumers and establishes your app as a reliable source. How to Ensure Data Protection? To ensure maximum data security, choose a food delivery development company that offers high-end services. Developers who can implement end-to-end encryptions, tokenization, and secure APIs in your app’s payment system. Moreover, integrate the finest fraud detection tools to ensure that both users and businesses are protected from any suspicious transactions. 3. Easy-to-Navigate Menu Display Another fundamental feature for your food delivery business is a user-friendly menu display. Incorporate well-defined categories such as main courses, desserts, fast food, pizza, or more. This makes it super easy for consumers to navigate and find what they are searching for. Ask your partner web designers to include visually appealing food images, detailed product descriptions, and clear pricing for each menu item. Here are other essential features to include: 1. Recommended Food Section Showcase top-rated dishes loved by users to help others pick the best bites. 2. Search & Filter Users should find what they are searching for within seconds after logging into the app. Smart search and filters make that possible. This feature boosts conversion rates by taking the load from consumers to make a decision. Additionally, customized recommendations based on users’ past orders, location, and browsing behavior create a more engaging experience. 3. Easy Cart Functionality Integrate easily accessible buttons when you build a food delivery app. The buttons should be next to each menu item so that users can add items with a single tap. 4. AI-Powered Demand Forecasting and Order Management AI-powered demand Forecasting leverages machine learning algorithms to predict future food delivery trends based on historical data, customer behavior, weather patterns, and local events. This intelligent system helps restaurants and delivery platforms anticipate order volumes, optimize inventory, and allocate resources more efficiently. By forecasting peak hours and popular dishes, businesses can reduce food wastage, avoid stockouts, and improve delivery speed. It also aids in workforce planning by ensuring the right number of delivery personnel are available when demand surges. Overall, AI-driven forecasting leads to smarter operations, cost savings, and a better customer experience through improved service reliability. Be sure to include this advanced feature when you create a food delivery app- it can enhance user experience and improve operational efficiency. 5. Integrated Delivery Partner Management System An often overlooked but crucial component is the system that manages delivery agents. For food to arrive on time, a smart backend is required that handles assignments, tracks performance, manages availability, and routes orders efficiently. In 2025, apps with a strong delivery management system are outperforming those without it. What It Should Include Real-time assignment of orders to nearby delivery partners. Availability status (online/offline, break time). Heat maps showing areas with high demand. Route optimization based on traffic and distance. Conclusion We have learned that in 2025, developing an on-demand food delivery app in New York, USA, demands more than just listing restaurants and