Mobile App Franchise | Why Food Ordering Mobile Apps Are Big Business

The mobile app industry has opened the door to thousands of new start-ups and business ventures, with independent developers and software companies all over the world making their mark on the newly emerging digital markets.

Among the many groundbreaking and innovative new developments, food ordering apps have become some of the most popular modern consumer favourites. The takeaway food industry is worth over £8bn in the UK alone and there are a number of mobile app developers that have taken full advantage of this huge market with clever and convenient mobile app solutions.

Although the takeaway food industry is huge, it has gained a big boost from the introduction of popular mobile apps such as Hungry House and Just Eat . Leading fast food chain Domino’s reported a huge 54% sales increase during the first half of 2015. This was largely due to the increased use of their own branded mobile app for ordering being used over and above standard telephone orders.

This illustrates a positive cycle in which the mobile apps improve the customer experience and increases sales figures within the takeaway food industry, thereby increasing the potential for growth and increased revenue streams for the brands and the apps themselves.

The success of mobile ordering apps can be largely attributed to their user-friendly interfaces and convenience. With the use of apps such as Just Eat, customers can browse long lists of local restaurants based on their location. The secure checkout system allows for quick and safe purchases that drastically reduce the time taken to order food. Ordering digitally not only allows clarity and efficiency of ordering but avoids the potential issues with telephone ordering, tied up phone lines or poor customer service from badly trained staff.

There has been substantial growth in the mobile food delivery industry, with an average market value of £3.6bn in 2016. That is a 6% increase on the previous year and a massive 50% increase on the 2008 figures. Among the increasing number of mobile apps that offer convenient food ordering, Just Eat illustrates just how big the market has become. As one of the world’s leading takeaway apps, Just Eat has already reached revenue figures of £375m.

Despite the vastness of the mobile food ordering market, there is still plenty of room for new developments and creative ventures. Figures have shown that by 2020 over 10% of all orders made at quick-service restaurants will be made using smartphone apps. This will mean that the mobile app ordering market will be worth at least £29bn. These figures illustrate the potential for growth within the industry and highlight the opportunity for new mobile developers and app creators to make their mark in the mobile app market.