Build a Mobile Food Delivery App in React Native: Features, Process & Cost

You have landed on this blog because you are not yet using a cross-platform framework for your food delivery app. 

Let us guess: you're probably using Swift/Objective-C for your iOS app and Kotlin/Java for your Android app.

Having two technologies requires two teams. This leads to double the development work and costs, especially if you think about an MVP. It creates duplicate efforts, raises maintenance costs, delays time-to-market, makes scaling expensive, and results in an inconsistent UI/UX.

It makes sense that you want to find a solution to save your hard-earned money. This is true whether you bootstrapped your online food ordering app development or got funding from VCs. 

Well, here’s the solution: React Native for food delivery app development. This cross-platform technology can save you 30-50% of development time and 50-65% of time to market. Plus, it won’t give you sleepless nights when it’s time to scale your app.

Let’s dive deeper into why React Native is the best decision you can make for your food delivery app and how it can significantly reduce your food delivery app development costs.

The Rising Demand for Food Delivery Apps

Busy schedules, work-from-home habits, and a need for comfort have changed how people eat. Most users now prefer restaurant food at home. And apps make that easy.

Not long ago, ordering food meant dressing up, stepping out, and waiting around. Now? You tap a screen. You scroll. You pay. And your food is delivered in real time, all on your phone.

More than just convenient, these apps fit into every kind of lifestyle. Want a quick lunch during a packed workday? Craving a midnight snack? 

With smart filters, quick payments, and seamless UX, food delivery apps with React Native to meet modern demands.

User expectations keep rising. People want faster updates, better tracking, and real-time support. Businesses need tech that keeps up. That’s where React Native for food delivery app development excels.

With one codebase, you build for both iOS and Android. This saves time, lowers the React Native cost, and speeds up your launch. You don't double your work, but you double your reach.

React Native allows companies to build food delivery app with speed, great UI, and native performance. That’s why businesses looking to optimize their mobile delivery apps often hire React Native developers to build fast, scalable, and highly interactive platforms. It is the way that you take an idea and turn it into a product that people use every day.

Key Features of a Great Food Delivery App

If you're planning to build a food ordering app, it's crucial to include the right features. A well-developed React food ordering app should be smooth, secure, and user-friendly. Ensure your product incorporates the essential features to provide a great experience for users.

Here are the essential features that every successful food delivery apps build with React Native:

User Registration and Profile Management

Every online food ordering app development needs user profiles. Registration should be a simple and quick process. Users are to create and manage their profiles easily. Profiles have to be secure, which means all relevant details must be stored safely.

• Customer App:

A well-designed customer interface is key when you develop food delivery app using React Native. Allow users to search for local restaurants, filter foods by cuisine, look at menus, and put items into a cart. It has to be simple to use and nice to interact with, even the first time.

• Admin Dashboard:

Used by restaurant staff and managers, this dashboard is a central point for many tasks. It handles orders, updates menus, and reports on user data. Also, it coordinates with delivery partners. Real-time order status and earnings reports should be seen.

• Delivery Partner App: 

Drivers should receive real-time information regarding new orders, pickup points, and delivery routes. Order status needs to be updated in real-time as they move along. A food delivery mobile app built using React makes logistics run smoothly.

Search Functionality

Search minimizes friction in navigation. It assists clients in finding what they need easily. Endless scrolling is eliminated. Categorizing products and including filters allows users to filter out options easily. This enhances satisfaction and accelerates the placing of orders.

Payment Gateway Integration

Seamless payment is essential for ease of use. Payment methods should be saved by customers. Digital wallet integration should be supported. This supports quick, secure checkout. Payment friction reduction drives down cart abandonment. It builds repeat business and loyalty.

Coupons and Loyalty Rewards

Coupons and loyalty programs see an increase in customer retention. We see that they encourage repeat orders. The app should present an easy way for customers to track and redeem points. This develops a sense of value and appreciation. Tailored, flexible loyalty programs maintain engagement for your customers. They generate steady sales growth.

Push Notifications

Push notifications make users active and updated. They provide prompt notices regarding promotions, discounts, and new restaurants. Notifications even keep users updated on order status. Driver arrival alerts enhance communication. This minimizes customer anxiety and maximizes satisfaction.

Delivery Tracking

Delivery tracking provides more transparency and trust. Customers can track orders in real time. There should be clear order steps: preparation, ready, driver picking up, and en route. This helps manage expectations and decreases frustration.

Rating & Review System

This system generates trust and collects feedback. Users rate and review their orders. Future customers make better-informed decisions based on reviews. Restaurants receive insights to continually improve quality.

In-app Chat/Messaging

When you create food delivery apps, this feature allows direct communication between customers, restaurants, and drivers. It facilitates the fast solving of issues and the explanation of orders. Customers can easily place special requests. This enhances the experience and decreases errors.

Order History and Favourites

Customers can always see their previous orders. They can reorder their favorite food. Preferred restaurants can be saved too. This accelerates ordering and introduces convenience. These little gestures make your React Native food delivery app feel welcoming and caring. Customers will return more often.

Why Choose React Native for Your Food Delivery Mobile App?

Building a food delivery mobile app with React Native is a smart choice. Although there are many reasons to use a React Native food delivery mobile app, we will cover them here to help you with your decision.

Cross-platform development

To build a food ordering app using React Native is its ability to run on both Android and iOS with a single codebase. You don’t need to create separate apps for each platform. This greatly cuts down the development cost of a food delivery app in React Native.

But there are instances where platform-specific adaptations are necessary. Design requirements, for instance, differ between Android and iOS. React Native assists in this regard. Its file extensions and platform modules make it simple to customize.

Faster development cycle

React Native has features such as hot reloading and live reloading. This lets developers see changes right away without rebuilding the entire application. 

You can also share logic and UI elements between various app sections or platforms. That consistency translates into fewer bugs and less maintenance time spent on having separate code. This speed also helps keep the cost of food delivery app development low. This results in quicker iterations, less downtime, and greater productivity.

Cost-effectiveness that fuels growth

When you use React Native, you only need developers who know JavaScript. You don’t need to hire two teams for Android and iOS. That cuts your React Native cost by a lot.

It also means you can build and ship faster with fewer people. That’s perfect if you’re a small team or a startup.

This kind of setup makes your budget go further. You spend less and still keep your food ordering app smooth, fast, and high-quality. If you're trying to grow quickly and stay competitive, React Native gives you a big edge.

Integration with third-party plugins

A full stack food delivery app native requires plugins for maps, payments, push notifications, and so on. React Native integrates perfectly with services such as Google Maps, Stripe, Firebase, and others.

When you create food delivery app features, you want them to work fast and feel stable. React Native makes that possible by letting you connect to these tools with very little setup. You can create order tracking, driver routes, or restaurant dashboards without starting from zero. 

This kind of flexibility is why many teams choose React Native for food delivery apps. It makes the development process easier and helps you deliver features that users love.

Native-like performance

Unlike hybrid apps, React Native for food delivery app development offers almost native performance. It uses real native UI components, so everything feels clean and responsive.

React Native gives you access to device-specific features like the camera, GPS, and GPU. This helps improve performance for apps that are heavy on user interfaces.

For a food delivery React Native mobile app, that's big. Order tracking, browsing menus, and live updates need to be fast and stable.

Rich ecosystems and community support

One reason so many teams choose React Native for food delivery app development is the huge community behind it. There are thousands of open-source libraries and UI kits you can use. 

You get access to analytics tools, payment plugins, and custom components without building from scratch. This helps you build faster and spend less. It also lowers your overall food delivery app development cost, since you can work with tools that are already tested and trusted.

Meta (Facebook) also keeps React Native up to date. That means better support, fewer bugs, and faster updates. If you ever run into issues, there’s a large community ready to help. That support system is a big win for any dev team.

One-way data binding

React Native uses one-way data flow. This means each part of your user interface connects to one source of data. It keeps your React Native food delivery mobile app stable and easier to manage.

With one-way binding, data changes in a clear and controlled way. That makes it easier to find bugs and fix them fast. It also helps when your app gets more complex over time.

For new developers, learning React Native’s event handling and UI logic may take a little practice. But once you learn the flow, it becomes easier to build and scale. The docs are solid, and the community is there when you need help.

How To Create A Food Delivery App: Step-By-Step Guide

If you are looking at ways to create food delivery app, React Native is the best framework for your project. This guide shows you how to create a food delivery app. We go over the basic steps in mobile app development.

The app includes a restaurant directory, menu choices, a cart feature, and order delivery.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure that:

• Node.js and npm installed.
• React Native CLI or Expo CLI installed.
• A code editor such as Visual Studio Code.
• The basic knowledge of JavaScript, React, and React Native.
• A backend API (such as Firebase or a custom Node.js server) for managing data.

Step 1: Set Up the Development Environment

Install the React Native environment and its components, which in turn will set the base for the development of the food delivery app for both iOS and Android platforms.

Install React Native 

CLI:npm install -g react-native-cli

Create a new React Native project:react-native init FoodDeliveryApp

cd FoodDeliveryApp
Install dependencies for navigation, state management, and UI components:npm install @react-navigation/native @react-navigation/stack react-native-reanimated react-native-gesture-handler react-native-screens react-native-safe-area-context @react-native-community/masked-view axios redux react-redux

Set up for iOS and Android:

For iOS, run pod install in the iOS folder.

For Android, ensure you have an emulator or physical device set up.

Step 2: Design the App Structure

Plan the app's screens and navigation:

• Home Screen: Displays a list of restaurants.
• Restaurant Screen: Shows the menu for a selected restaurant.
• Cart Screen: Displays selected items and total price.
• Order Confirmation Screen: Confirms the order details.

Use React Navigation for screen transitions:

import { NavigationContainer } from '@react-navigation/native';

import { createStackNavigator } from '@react-navigation/stack';

const Stack = createStackNavigator();

function App() {

return (

<NavigationContainer>

<Stack.Navigator>

<Stack.Screen name="Home" component={HomeScreen} />

<Stack.Screen name="Restaurant" component={RestaurantScreen} />

<Stack.Screen name="Cart" component={CartScreen} />

<Stack.Screen name="OrderConfirmation" component={OrderConfirmationScreen} />

</Stack.Navigator>

</NavigationContainer>

);

}

Step 3: Create the Home Screen

The Home Screen lists restaurants fetched from an API.

Set up a mock API (e.g., using Firebase or JSONPlaceholder).

Fetch restaurant data using Axios:import axios from 'axios';

import { FlatList, Text, TouchableOpacity } from 'react-native';

function HomeScreen({ navigation }) {

const [restaurants, setRestaurants] = useState([]);

useEffect(() => {

axios.get('https://api.example.com/restaurants')

.then(response => setRestaurants(response.data))

.catch(error => console.error(error));

}, []);

const renderItem = ({ item }) => (

<TouchableOpacity onPress={() => navigation.navigate('Restaurant', { restaurantId: item.id })}>

<Text>{item.name}</Text>

</TouchableOpacity>

);

return (

<FlatList

data={restaurants}

renderItem={renderItem}

keyExtractor={item => item.id.toString()}

/>

);

}

Step 4: Build the Restaurant Screen

This screen displays the menu for a selected restaurant.

Fetch menu items based on the restaurant ID:function RestaurantScreen({ route, navigation }) {

const { restaurantId } = route.params;

const [menu, setMenu] = useState([]);

useEffect(() => {

axios.get(`https://api.example.com/menu/${restaurantId}`)

.then(response => setMenu(response.data))

.catch(error => console.error(error));

}, [restaurantId]);

const addToCart = (item) => {

// Dispatch action to add item to Redux store

dispatch({ type: 'ADD_TO_CART', payload: item });

};

return (

<FlatList

data={menu}

renderItem={({ item }) => (

<View>

<Text>{item.name} - ${item.price}</Text>

<Button title="Add to Cart" onPress={() => addToCart(item)} />

</View>

)}

keyExtractor={item => item.id.toString()}

/>

);

}

Step 5: Implement Cart Functionality

Use Redux to manage the cart state.

Set up Redux:// store.js

import { createStore } from 'redux';

const initialState = { cart: [] };

const reducer = (state = initialState, action) => {

switch (action.type) {

case 'ADD_TO_CART':

return { ...state, cart: [...state.cart, action.payload] };

default:

return state;

}

};

export const store = createStore(reducer);

Wrap the app with Redux Provider:import { Provider } from 'react-redux';

import { store } from './store';

function App() {

return (

<Provider store={store}>

<NavigationContainer>

<Stack.Navigator>...</Stack.Navigator>

</NavigationContainer>

</Provider>

);

}

Create the Cart Screen:import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';

function CartScreen({ navigation }) {

const cart = useSelector(state => state.cart);

const total = cart.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price, 0);

return (

<View>

<FlatList

data={cart}

renderItem={({ item }) => <Text>{item.name} - ${item.price}</Text>}

keyExtractor={(item, index) => index.toString()}

/>

<Text>Total: ${total}</Text>

<Button

title="Place Order"

onPress={() => navigation.navigate('OrderConfirmation')}

/>

</View>

);

}

Step 6: Build the Order Confirmation Screen

This screen confirms the order and allows the user to submit it.

function OrderConfirmationScreen() {

return (

<View>

<Text>Order Confirmed!</Text>

<Text>Your food will be delivered soon.</Text>

</View>

);

}

Step 7: Add Styling

Use React Native’s StyleSheet for consistent styling:

import { StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

const styles = StyleSheet.create({

container: {

flex: 1,

padding: 10,

},

item: {

padding: 10,

borderBottomWidth: 1,

borderBottomColor: '#ccc',

},

text: {

fontSize: 16,

},

});

// Apply styles, e.g., <View style={styles.container}>

Step 8: Test the App

Run on iOS

react-native run-ios

Run on Android

react-native run-android

Test navigation, API calls, and cart functionality on both platforms.

Step 9: Add Advanced Features (Optional)

Advanced features like:

• User Authentication: Integrate Firebase for login/signup.
• Real-time Order Tracking: Use WebSocket or Firebase Realtime Database.
• Payment Integration: Add Stripe or PayPal for payments.
• Push Notifications: Use Firebase Cloud Messaging for order updates.

Step 10: Deploy the App

Once your app is complete and tested, it’s time to make it available to the world!

For iOS (Apple App Store)

Archive the app using Xcode

• Open your project in Xcode (ios/FoodDeliveryApp.xcworkspace)
• Set your signing & team ID
• Select Any iOS Device > Product > Archive

Upload using Xcode or Transporter app

Once archived, upload it directly from Xcode or use Apple’s Transporter app.

Go to App Store Connect

• Create a new app listing
• Fill in app info, upload screenshots, and set pricing
• Submit for review

Note: Apple typically reviews apps in 1–3 days.

For Android (Google Play Store)

Generate a signed APK or AAB

In the root of your project, run:

 cd android && ./gradlew bundleRelease

This creates an .aab file in android/app/build/outputs/bundle/release

Create a Play Console account

• Go to Google Play Console
• Pay the one-time registration fee

Create a new app

• Upload your AAB file
• Add app details, images, and category
• Submit for review

Note: Google’s review usually takes 1–7 days.

Deploying your React Native food delivery app is more than building out development; it's creating a solid first impression.

Cost of a Food Delivery App Built with React Native

Every business wants results without overspending. Before you jump into development, it’s essential to understand the food delivery app development costs so you can plan your budget wisely. 

The development cost of a food delivery app in React Native depends on several key factors:

• The complexity of the app’s design and how advanced its features and functionalities are.
• The count of third-party plugins is rising to enhance user engagement and performance.
• The platform you choose for your app launch, whether Android, iOS, or both, relies on mobile app development frameworks.
• The level of regular updates and maintenance required for smooth performance is high.
• The geographical location of your mobile app development team or company.

All these elements play a key role in deciding how much your app will cost. Let us walk you through an estimated cost breakdown.

A basic React Native food delivery app costs between $12,000 and $25,000. This includes features like login, menu browsing, order placement, and simple tracking.

If you want advanced features, like real-time GPS tracking, in-app chat, loyalty programs, admin dashboards, and advanced analytics, costs can rise to $52,000 or more. These features are similar to those in apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash.

These estimates are rough. Actual costs will depend on your specific needs, app size, and the development partner you choose.

Using React Native can lower costs. One app works on both Android and iOS with a shared codebase. Still, it's important to budget wisely and invest in quality development for long-term success.

Build Your Food Delivery App with React Native Experts

We hope this blog has given you useful insights into developing a food delivery mobile app using React Native.

If you're planning to launch an on-demand food delivery app, it takes more than just an idea. You’ll need market research, technical expertise, and reliable execution to turn that idea into a successful product.

One of the best ways to speed up the process and ensure quality is to hire a strong team that helps you build food delivery apps with React Native quickly. You can add modern features and ensure a smooth experience on all platforms.

Start your React food ordering app now. Build something your users will love and return to!