How Much Does it Cost to Build a Restaurant app?

Actually, you don’t have too much choice. The history remembers enough examples of once super successful restaurant chains that hit multimillion-dollar revenues and owned hundreds of locations but ended up in the worst way.

How to avoid such an unwanted scenario? Constantly develop and follow (or even create!) the trends. Since 2 of the biggest trends are food and mobile, why don’t you combine them by creating a restaurant mobile app for your business? Here are 3 reasons to start it as soon as possible, so read on!

🍽️ Top 3 reasons to build your own restaurant app

1. Increased sales

Every business owner thinks about increasing incomes and it’s okay. Since the scheme “spend less than you earn” is true for any business, you should apply only those changes that can noticeably boost your revenues. And a restaurant app development is among these changes!

Do you want proof? How about amazing statistics by AppInstitute:

⚙️ Features: what do mobile ordering apps for restaurants consist of?

The list of your app features depends on the specifics of your restaurant business. For example, if you own a chain of fast-food restaurants like Taco Bell the table booking feature isn’t the one users will be looking for in your app. On the other hand, if you want to create a restaurant app for casual dining, this feature may be the reason why many users actually use your app.

In this article we’re going to review features that are important for different kinds of restaurant businesses, so let’s get started!

Restaurant info: let’s get acquainted

The first impression is always the most important one. Don’t waste the time of your consumers and make sure the first screen they see is not only beautiful and eye-catching but also offers some value them. What value can you offer them right away?

1. A brief description of your restaurant (what cuisines you offer or what is so special about your eatery).
2. Its location (if you have many, tell the user about the closest to him).
3. Working hours (don’t forget to mention a delivery service, if you have one and its working hours are different).

In-app calling

The feature is simple as that: just a button that allows a user to call you with one tap. Despite people hate making calls (and it’s another reason to build an app), some may find it convenient.

So it seems we have reviewed both essential and additional features used to build a mobile app for restaurants. How much would it cost you? You’re about to find out! But before that I would like to share with you a list of tech tools that will come in handy during the development.

🔧 Tech tips from Stormotion Developers

1. eThor API allows you to connect your POS system with the application.
2. So as to gather reviews about your restaurant you can use TripAdvisor Content API (tourist reviews) or Expert Review API.
3. Remember about suggestions and related items? Qloo API is designed to generate such matching recommendations.
4. Resy API can be used to provide customers with the reservation system. Moreover, it includes information on floor plans and allows user to choose the exact table they want to book.
5. We have also advised you offering your clients several payment options. For this purpose you can use Android Pay API, Apple Pay API and API by PayPal.

Finally, you are going to find out development costs, so read on!

🔎 Case study: Taco Bell, The Capital Grill

What about examples? Today I’m going to tell you about two pretty good restaurant apps in different business categories - Taco Bell (a fast food restaurant) and The Capital Grill (a casual dining restaurant). Read on!

###Taco Bell’s app: bright & user-friendly

We’ve already learned how a mobile app managed to boost Taco Bell’s sales but what about the app itself? Is there something noticeable?

First of all, the app has a really cool UI. It contains a minimum of text and a maximum of beautiful, vivid images that without doubt stimulate buyers to make purchases. Because how can you resist when you have tasty tacos, burritos and quesadillas in your sight?

Moreover, guys try to take an advantage of ongoing events. Thus, for example, on Valentine’s day they launched an offer called “#ReservationRescue” with the possibility to win “a 7:00 p.m. Valentine's Day reservation and complimentary dinner for two”.

💡 Conclusion

So, we have finally discussed all essential issues of the restaurant app development. As you could see, it’s not so difficult to build your own restaurant app but it can significantly boost your sales and attract new customers. Pay a special attention to features from the MVP-list, learn from the best and keep up with the modern trends!

I hope you find this article interesting and informative. However, don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss the costs to build an app exactly for your restaurant. We are happy to help you!