Changing the Dining Game: The Rise of Mobile Apps in the F&B Industry

Introduction

Mobile apps have become ubiquitous, encompassing a wide range of services from grocery ordering to bus ticket booking. As apps continue to gain popularity, businesses experience a remarkable surge in growth rate and profitability. Embracing digitization and catering to the growing number of digital buyers present abundant opportunities across various sectors.

The food and beverages industry is a sector that holds tremendous potential for growth through the use of mobile apps. The advent of online food ordering and delivery apps has revolutionized the traditional restaurant business model. The proliferation of food delivery platforms has the potential to significantly elevate eateries’ sales to new heights through online ordering.

Here are some statistics on the F&B industry:

• Currently, 67% of the average restaurant’s revenue is generated from food orders placed through online platforms or over the phone. (source: PYMNTS.com)

• Approximately 70% of consumers prefer to place their orders through a custom app rather than using a third-party app. (source: Hospitality Tech)

• The most frequently utilized channels for digital ordering are restaurant apps and websites, accounting for 62% of all digital orders. (source: NPD)

• As of now, Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs) generate up to 75% of their sales from online or phone orders on average. (source: PYMNTS.com)

Furthermore, the onset of the cashless economy and the expansion of food delivery enterprises have led to exponential growth in the online food ordering and delivery sector. The convenience offered by the food ordering system has also played a significant role in driving the popularity of mobile apps for food and beverages.

The immense popularity of food and beverage ordering apps can be attributed to their ability to overcome numerous challenges faced by the industry.

Also Read – A Guide to Building Food Ordering App

The Rise in Popularity of F&B Mobile Apps

The popularity of F&B mobile apps can be attributed to a combination of factors that have transformed the way customers interact with the food and beverage industry. Some key reasons behind their popularity include:

Competitive pricing

Intense competition exists among businesses providing similar services, leading to competitive pricing strategies supported by data-driven mechanisms. As a result, customers reap the most benefits from this competitive landscape, and as companies continue to battle for market share, customers will enjoy long-term advantages from the increased competition.

Ease of table reservations

With a table reservation app development, you can simplify the process of booking a table, reducing wait times, and enhancing the dining experience. Furthermore, you not only get a place to sit in the restaurant but you can choose your preferred seating like a window seat with a view. Also, knowing you have a reservation gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on enjoying your meal without worrying about seating availability.

All-in-one solution

Employing mobile applications for restaurants offers comprehensive one-stop solutions, effectively addressing various challenges posed by the food and beverages industry. These hurdles encompass price fluctuations, retailer accountability, complex operations, short shelf life, and ensuring product quality and authenticity. Mobile apps have significantly improved the convenience of ordering, providing added ease for customers.

Rising retail and sales trends

The food sector is experiencing larger sales volumes and continuous advancements in retail trends, enabling companies to overcome challenges, such as losses due to short shelf life. This has led the food and beverages sector to swiftly embrace digitalization and doorstep delivery for added convenience. As per the reports by Statista, around 60% of restaurant operators report significant sales growth through offering delivery services. Mobile food ordering apps offer customers various incentives to shift towards using apps and maximize their benefits from them.

Ease in doorstep delivery

The popularity of mobile food apps is largely driven by the convenience they offer customers through doorstep food delivery. This transformation in the food and beverages industry leads to a more improved, accountable, and regulated business environment. Customers can now enjoy top-quality and enhanced food delivery options right at their doorsteps, enriching their overall experience.

Must-Have Features to Include in Your F&B Mobile Application

When developing a Food and Beverage (F&B) mobile application, it’s essential to incorporate features that enhance the user experience, streamline processes, and encourage customer engagement. Here are some must-have features to consider including in your F&B mobile application:

Discounts or rewards

Increasing customer attraction towards the delivery app involves offering exclusive deals and discounts. Regularly providing discounts can effectively engage customers, and collaborating with restaurants can facilitate this process. Restaurants often offer discounts to their online customers, which proves advantageous for both parties. According to Statista, customers who place online orders tend to revisit the same establishment more frequently than other patrons. By incorporating discounts and loyalty points, you have the potential to expand your customer base significantly.

Ratings and review

For every business to thrive and grow, it’s essential to listen to its customers, and feedback and ratings play a crucial role in this aspect. Having a feature in food delivery mobile apps that allows users to rate restaurants helps gauge customer responses and assess the app’s popularity. By providing a feedback portal, valuable insights into customers’ preferences can be obtained, leading to enhanced user experiences and continuous improvements.

Notifications

With the rapid surge in online food ordering, it’s evident that users may have multiple food ordering apps on their phones. To boost visibility and stand out amidst the competition, incorporating push notifications can be highly beneficial. By leveraging push notifications, customers can stay connected with the business. These messages, featuring discounts and offers, instantly capture customers’ attention and contribute to significant growth in the app’s popularity.

Real-time tracking

Including real-time tracking is imperative for food and beverage mobile apps as it enables precise customer location monitoring. With GPS tracking, food delivery becomes more efficient and customers are willing to pay a premium for faster service. This feature not only enhances the overall consumer experience but also ensures optimal customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

The food and beverage industry is set to reap abundant benefits in the coming years, thanks to the increasing adoption of mobile apps. There is an endless potential to attract a vast customer base in the food sector, making innovative mobile apps a necessity to meet all their demands. As reliability and incentives improve, customers will increasingly embrace the digitalization of this industry.

Bytes Technolab Inc. stands out as a prominent mobile application development company, specializing in designing and creating customized mobile apps for clients spanning various industries.