How to Develop a Food Delivery App Like HungerStation in Saudi Arabia

The landscape for food delivery in Saudi Arabia has shifted vastly over the last few years, which is driven by its adoption of new technologies. One of the fastest-growing economies in the world sits at the center of on-demand food delivery with apps like HungerStation.  It is one of the best homegrown brands, providing users with seamless access to a wide variety of restaurants and groceries. 

The idea of getting your favorite cuisines delivered to you just by scrolling the menus of favorite restaurants from the comfort of your home helps with customer retention. Now Are you a business owner looking to develop an app like Hungerstation? If yes, then you have come across the right blog; we will provide you with a carefully curated guide on How to Develop a Food Delivery App Like HungerStation in Saudi Arabia. 

What is HungerStation?

HungerStation was started in 2013 and has emerged as one of the best food delivery apps in Saudi Arabia for getting your favorite cuisine delivered to you from a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. It is a platform that has grown exponentially well because of its easy-to-use interface as well as simple operations with a wide range of cuisines, from street to gourmet. 

When you order food from the Hungerstation portal, you get added benefits, such as real-time food tracking with frequent updates from the Hungerstation driver to the restaurant. It is one of the most intelligently running platforms in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is adaptable to shifting marketing trends. One of the most prominent examples of this adaptability is the introduction of groceries on the same platform; now users can order groceries using the same app from the comfort of their home.

Market Analysis for Food Delivery Apps in Saudi Arabia

The expansion of food delivery apps in the digitalized ecosystem of Saudi Arabia is not a surprise anymore, and it is supported by tech-driven cloud kitchens as well as restaurant chains. This ecosystem is one of the fastest-growing food delivery markets, generating revenue of 9,623.3 million dollars in 2024 alone, and it is forecasted to grow to 15,974.0 million dollars by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2025 to 2030 as per Grand View Horizon.

Food Delivery Trends in Riyadh and Makkah

The food delivery trend in Makkah and Riyadh has increased gradually because of cross pollination.

Riyadh being the business hub of Saudi as well as its capital. The food culture of Riyadh is very rich, with a large number of bakeries, cloud kitchens and restaurants present there. This significantly helps apps like Hungerstation expand their operation because of the vibrant food culture. On the other hand Makkah is a spiritual center in KSA and a tourist hub, which contributes to its diverse food culture. Pilgrims all around the globe come here to visit Makkah, which leads to an increase in the food demand, which gets capitalized on by apps like hungerstation.

Key Features of a HungerStation Clone App

One of the most vital aspects of an app is its features, as they can make or break the app’s functionality. However, it is important to note that it is the job of an expert; that is why it is highly suggested that you look for Mobile app development services from those who have core competence in it. The app should be a perfect mix of users and vendors side features.

However we have carefully curated a list for your better understanding of features that are must on both ends.

User App Features

Account Login

It is highly suggested to make the login process as less complicated as possible by allowing users to sign up using an email ID or mobile number as well for better security, users can do social media authentication.

Restaurant Browsing

Hungerstation makes the user experience seamless and sorted, as they can easily look for the preferred restaurants from a wide variety of selections. Users can sort and choose the best as per the ratings and geographical locations by looking at the menu online. 

Order Placing

The system has simplified order placing, allowing users to add their preferred cuisine to their cart and proceed with the order without any hassle.

Real-time Notifications

With real-time notification, the user can get seamless updates on their food delivery. You get notified on each step from food preparation to pickup as well as the start of the rider’s journey for delivering your food.

Ratings and Feedbacks

It is one of those features that sounds basic yet is the most effective one, as you get all the necessary information even without going to or ordering from a particular restaurant. Users just need to check the reviews and other customers’ feedback.

Chat and Call

Using the Hungerstation app users can reach out to delivery people in real time for delivery updates. They can reach out via chat as well , however the response time should be a bit longer because of the rider safety they might be driving in some cases.

Restaurant Portal and Admin Panel

Admin Panel

With Admin panel restaurants can make a business profile and effectively manage the accounts as well as upload menus.

Order Management

Using the order management features, restaurants can seamlessly manage all the vital aspects of order from distribution and confirmation to the processing of orders.

Menu Management 

Vendors can manage and edit menus as per the situation If there is any change in pricing, this ensures seamless functioning of restaurants. This feature allows you to add photos as well as highlight any changes in the menu.  

Delivery Management 

Delivery management allows restaurants to operate in a seamless manner with real-time delivery maintenance staff while simultaneously monitoring orders.

Payment Gateways

Payment integrations allow restaurants to receive payment from various third-party gateways. This is a must in modern-day apps, as the payments have been digitalized and customers look for various payment options.

HungerStation App Technology and Tech Stack

The Tech Stack for an app is determined by the expert developer who has core expertise in Android App Development Services. However, it is our moral responsibility to provide you relevant information on the tech that will be used in the development phase. 

Development Process of a HungerStation-Like App

Hungerstation has attracted many businesses towards it because of the higher revenue generation so much so that it has become a trend to have a portal like Hungerstation KSA .Now that you have understood the crucial aspects, it is necessary for you to understand the development phases as well so that you can get more of your app.

 

Market Analysis

The very first thing to do is have an in-depth understanding of the Saudi market so that the app development is robust and dynamic. Market research will give you much-needed insights on local market expertise, which is a must in development so that you can get a final product that is adaptable to shifting trends of the Saudi market. From case studies to customer surveys, all of these are a few basic steps that will provide data-driven insights.

Unique selling points

The next step, which is vital, is to define what sets you apart from competitors after the customer surveys and market research. It is a must in this crowded echo chamber of app development; this can be done by adding a separate section for gourmet and a specialized section. In addition to ensuring seamless functionality, the app should perfectly balance visual aesthetics and ease of use. Lastly for faster customer retention, there should be rewards and loyalty bonuses for avid users.

Development experts

It is important to note that the development is a process of high technological skills and out-of-the-box thinking capabilities. That is why it is highly suggested that you should look for IOS App Development Services who have their core expertise in this. This will also assist you in coming up with a better version of the app, as the ready product would not be an exact clone of HungryStation but an inspired but better-functioning app.

App Security 

The security of the application should be robust so that users do not need to be concerned about their data. The primary focus during the development should be on enhanced security with features that are as per the standards of e-Government in Saudi Arabia.

User Interface

One of the best ways to engage users in your food delivery app is to make it interactive and the user interface should be very friendly. Ensure that you provide them with seamless in-app navigation with the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality for promoting active participation.

Optimization and support 

We understand that you need our support even after deployment; therefore, we monitor the app’s functionality, conduct frequent tests, and optimize the application based on the test results. It is the best way to ensure the launched app is perfect and ready for market.

Explore our other blog on How to develop an app like Talabat: Click Here

HungerStation KSA App Development Cost and Monetization

Development and monetization of an app are two different things we will take step-by-step for your better understanding. To begin with, the cost for developing an app varies as per the features that need to be integrated and other business requirements however it ranges from $8,000 to $14,000. Let’s understand this with a carefully curated table.

App Complexity	Development Duration	Estimated Cost
Basic Level App	5 to 8 months	$8000 to $14000
Moderate App	8 to 12 months	$14000 to $20000
Advanced level App	More than 12 months	$20000 to $26000

 

The next step would be the monetization of apps depending on multiple criteria, and when it comes to that, Hunger Station has one of the most intelligently designed strategies.  This strategy will also help other businesses generate revenues consistently using the same model. 

Commission Charges

When an app is designed perfectly, every aspect of that app enables its vendors to generate revenue; Hungestation exemplifies this by earning a commission on payments made through the app. The charges are for payment gateways, as there will be a certain charge whenever a user makes payment for groceries or food items as a platform fee.

Advertisement Revenue

Other than the platform fee, one of the smartest ways to earn frequent revenue is advertisement outsourcing, which ensures higher returns with lesser investments. 

Pro plus Subscription

Apps like Hungerstation works on this model very effectively as it is one of the most secure approaches to revenue generation. The businesses should introduce the basic features of the app for free to users; however, going ahead when the app is functioning at peak business, they can charge a premium amount for enhanced services. Offer premium users exclusive discounts and free deliveries, which will make it the best fit for every user.

Launching and Maintaining Your Food Delivery App

The final phase, which could be overwhelming for businesses, is to launch their app. Once the app is launched, it is important to focus on frequent optimization for seamless functioning and better returns. 

Launching Phase

Your app should debut with core functionalities: simple ordering, live tracking, a variety of payment methods (Mada, Apple Pay, cash), and dependable customer support. Simultaneously, bring on board reputable restaurants and reliable delivery personnel, offering early incentives to rapidly build your supply chain. A concentrated launch in select areas allows you to manage quality and expenses effectively.

Maintenance Phase

After the initial launch, ongoing maintenance becomes very important. This includes regular app updates, bug fixes, performance enhancements, and  enhancing data security. From an operational point of view, daily monitoring of delivery times, customer feedback, and partner performance is essential. Consistent customer support and transparent payment processes for restaurants and riders are key for long term trust and ensuring service quality.

Conclusion

To sum this up, the development of an app needs experts and market research, which will assist you in understanding the market trends. While developing an app, it is important to perform in-depth competitor analysis so that the finished product is future-ready and adaptable to fluctuating marketing trends. However, it is also essential to keep in mind that the finished product should not be an exact replica of the Hungerstation but an enhanced version with better features.

The food delivery system in Saudi is increasing gradually and to sustain longer in this challenging market, you need a development partner who works in close coordination with you, like Emizentech. Our team of proficient developers are there to turn your vision into reality.

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