from $30 000

Catering application development

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the adoption of digital technologies in the restaurant business, a trend that gained momentum with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants and caterers, who previously only considered online integration or internal optimization of their business processes, are now clearly falling behind their competitors. This is primarily because they have not given proper attention to the development of their IT infrastructure

Mobile applications for restaurants have become a crucial tool for entrepreneurs. Their usage enables the organization of staff work, reduction in advertising costs, and improvement in customer service. These apps simplify access to restaurant menus, making it easier and more convenient to order and pay

The features provided also contribute to enhancing the establishment's image. Mobile applications for catering help inform customers about attractive promotions, bonus accruals, and offer discount coupons. Visitors can easily reserve tables, place orders, pay online, and interact with couriers through the mobile app

More about the pros of mobile development

Let's note the main advantages of the mobile application for restaurants and catering

Enhancing Reputation

In the context of increasing business competition, customer retention has become the primary goal of the catering industry. Mobile services for restaurants play a significant role by offering guests a convenient opportunity to explore cafes, restaurants, and order meals anytime and from anywhere. These capabilities play a crucial role in boosting customer loyalty, particularly among those who appreciate the speed and convenience of service. Mobile apps can also facilitate reward programs, motivating guests and fostering loyal brand enthusiasts

Customer-Centricity

The software streamlines interaction with customers, enabling them to independently select and order food online. This is particularly relevant in today's context, where people tend to avoid unnecessary contacts. The elimination of the need for direct communication with the client helps cut personnel costs and minimizes the impact of the human factor on the part of employees. The application also facilitates prompt communication with customer support for the effective resolution of conflict situations

Payment Security

Another aspect of convenience is that online payment offers the highest level of payment security and ease of use. In the event that a visitor forgets their wallet with cash and cards, they always have the option to make payments online and even earn bonuses in the process

Feedback Management

Easily handle feedback and promptly respond to customer reviews, which is particularly valuable in challenging situations. Mobile software enables efficient resolution of issues raised by dissatisfied customers, addressing negative feedback commonly found in reviews. When a customer expresses dissatisfaction within your program's review section, it is more preferable than if they do so on other platforms where interaction may be limited

Cost Reduction

It's essential to highlight that a mobile application for a restaurant primarily automates routine processes. This enables savings in personnel resources and reduces commissions paid to service aggregators. Moreover, automation involves systematization, contributing to an enhancement in service quality when utilizing the application

Types of applications for catering and restaurants

Before delving into the realm of mobile application development, it's crucial to comprehend the various types of catering software and their intended purposes. These classifications are typically based on criteria such as user category, functionality, or the overall number of establishments on the platform. Put simply, they can be grouped into software designed for visitors and those catering to service or goods providers. Restaurant applications are further distinguished based on their primary user: either the restaurant service provider or the visitor. Identifying the target audience plays a pivotal role in the development of mobile apps for this sector

Customer-centric applications

Services of this nature offer businesses an opportunity to stay connected with their customers. On such platforms, users can effortlessly order food online, share reviews of their favorite dishes, reserve tables, and discover popular establishments for an enjoyable dining experience

Such software can be further categorized into subtypes:

Table Reservation Services: These facilitate the online reservation process at a restaurant or catering establishment, eliminating the need for visitors to call or message the establishment's staff
Review Services: These platforms provide customers with the opportunity to rate dishes and share their impressions. Cafes and restaurants benefit from valuable feedback on the menu and service quality
Food Delivery: This is the most popular software category, allowing users to order their favorite dishes with home delivery through these programs
Search Applications: These apps help users find cafes and restaurants in their vicinity. Such software often includes additional features, such as the ability to rate the establishment or leave feedback on the quality of service. This not only allows users to gauge the experiences of other visitors but also aids in deciding where to go for breakfast or dinner

Vendor-centric applications

These platforms streamline the entire interaction process with service, food, and beverage providers by bringing it into an online format. They offer functionalities such as placing orders, receiving electronic invoices, providing instructions for delivery workers, and more. Some apps also include features to view catalogs and compare product costs. This facilitates an easier selection of ingredients or services for restaurants, aiding in budget savings

The specifics of mobile software development for the catering industry

When developing an app for a restaurant, the crucial initial step is to identify the target audience and define the type of service. Depending on these factors, the necessary functionality is determined, and it will vary for the restaurant or cafe, the supplier, and the customer

App functionality for cafes, restaurants, suppliers

Mobile software is primarily designed for the administration of establishments, owners, and goods/services suppliers. The following features are essential for successful orders and deliveries to the establishment's kitchen:

Authorization or Registration Home Page
The initial screen upon launching the application should be a home page for authorization or registration. Design plays a crucial role, and careful consideration is recommended to ensure user-friendliness. The elements should be easy to use, and the login/registration form should be intuitive and quickly accessible for selection
Personal Account or Customer Profile
A dedicated page where users can input personal data, including phone number, delivery address, or leave comments for the courier regarding delivery specifics. For suppliers, the platform should offer the capability to fill in the catalog of their goods/services and set corresponding prices
Catalog and Contact List
The catalog is a primary tool for searching and browsing offers. Restaurant software typically includes an extensive vendor catalog and a page for saving preferred contacts.In the program interface, it is advisable to incorporate a search bar and the ability to filter incoming information
Messaging System
To facilitate convenient interaction between catering establishments and suppliers, the program should incorporate a messaging function. For user convenience, consider integrating the ability to place and track orders directly within the chat window
Purchase History
Enables users to review their order history. Additionally, on this page, it is possible to implement a return mechanism in case the customer is dissatisfied with the quality of the purchased products

App functionality for visitors, establishments and couriers

The mobile app is designed for use by customers to place orders, by cafes and restaurants to showcase their menus, and by couriers to fulfill food delivery orders. Key features include:

Home Page
Serves the same purpose as the main page in the app for restaurants, cafes, and suppliers, but with a focus on customers
Personal Cabinet/User Profile
Developed separately for each user category. For instance, a client's profile differs from a courier's, considering functionality, required information, payment details, etc.
Menu/Catalog and Ordering Function
Essential functions that allow customers to access the establishment's menu, provide couriers with up-to-date order information, and offer catering and restaurants an administrative panel for management
"Favorites" Page
Retains customers and enhances program comfort. Users can easily order from their favorite cafe with minimal effort and time by accessing the "favorites" page instead of searching the catalog
Payment Mechanism
A crucial component supporting various payment methods. The more options available, the higher the user demand. It's important to discuss potential payment methods with specialists during program development
Push Notifications
Essential for increasing loyalty and informing users about ongoing promotions and discounts
Bonus System
If budget allows, this function helps attract potential customers and enhance loyalty among existing ones. The principle is simple: customers accumulate points for orders and exchange them for free meals, bonuses, or discounts. Such systems are effective in attracting users to the app and encouraging repeat orders

Mobile application for catering: stages of development

Planning and Organization

In the initial phase, we meticulously plan and organize the upcoming project development. This involves estimating costs and determining the time required to build the restaurant application. Active collaboration with the customer is crucial at this stage to delve into details and gather as much information as possible about the finished project. Additionally, we prepare all design documentation to provide to the customer

Prototyping

The second stage involves prototyping the program's appearance. We create initial layouts, paying close attention to visual aspects such as fonts, styles, colors, and their visual arrangement

Architecting and coding

The third stage is dedicated to developing the architecture and writing the code. Our experts consistently aim to create a flexible and scalable application, ensuring ease of future updates and support

Product testing

At the fourth stage, our QA testers actively identify potential bugs and errors that may arise during software usage. Subsequently, they generate a report and forward it to our development team for rectification

Publishing the product in stores

The final stage involves comprehensive testing of the product. Following successful testing, the refined product is ready for publication on Google Play and the App Store

Why choose us?

Fruktorum Studio embodies a conscientious approach to the development of each project. Our specialists boast over 10 years of experience in creating mobile applications across various business sectors. Rest assured, our team will attend to every detail in the course of working on your project. We guarantee:

A Completed Project of High Quality: We hold our reputation in high regard, dedicating ourselves to ensuring your satisfaction with the order
Professional-Level Software Development Services: We provide comprehensive documentation, keeping you informed about the development timelines and methods for achieving the set objectives
Participation of Qualified Specialists: Your project will benefit from the involvement of skilled professionals who excel in their respective fields
Comfortable Communication: Enjoy seamless communication in any preferred form, whether through calls, email, or our website application

How much does it cost to develop an app for catering and restaurants

The cost of mobile software development primarily hinges on its functional level, design complexity, and conceptual intricacy. On average, the expense for such a project falls within the range of a thousand to several hundred thousand dollars, with this figure not being an absolute limit
Despite the associated high costs, developing a mobile application for restaurants and catering offers substantial advantages over competitors and significantly contributes to the successful growth of the restaurant and catering business. If your objective is to scale and enhance marketing capabilities, investing in a mobile app should be a pivotal decision for you

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