How to Develop A Restaurant App Like TheFork? A Complete Guide

Have you used the famous restaurant booking app- TheFork?

What kind of services or features do you prefer to add while creating a restaurant app like TheFork?

Well, we understand that finding answers to such questions might create a fuss. Thus, we have developed a complete guide to developing a restaurant-booking app like TheFork.

Let’s proceed with all the essential steps needed to make the restaurant app of your dreams.

About TheFork

Before we jump to learning the steps of how to develop a restaurant app like TheFork, let’s understand the concept of TheFork.

TheFork is one of the most trusted restaurant booking platforms which helps users to find the world’s best restaurants around them.

The brand believes that the best things in the world happen around the table. It is a platform that has partnered with almost 55,000 restaurants across 12 countries and 20 million visitors.

TheFork has partnered with different restaurants to build a visionary brand strategy that will be helpful to engage the audiences.

Currently, the platform has 10M+ downloads that assist businesses to get renowned. It has become Europe’s leading restaurant booking platform which brings people together.

This provides you with an opportunity to enter into the world of restaurants and rule the industry with an innovative app, right?

Why Develop A Restaurant App Like TheFork?

Are you still confused about why to develop a restaurant app like TheFork?

Well, the following points in the guide to create a restaurant app like TheFork, can be helpful here.

♦ Growing Market Demands

One of the important reasons to develop a restaurant booking app like TheFork is increasing market demand. In the year 2023, the U.S. food service and drinking place sales have reached 1094.1 billion U.S dollars.

According to the restaurant reservation trends in the third quadrant 2023, you can find the booking patterns and preferences of the users.

Online reservations are 48% while phone reservations are 37%. This represents a great opportunity to drive into the section and capture a large market.

♦ Enhances User Engagement

People are more inclined towards booking the restaurants, thus, this reveals a vibrant opportunity for you where the people can connect over the restaurants and book their favorite ones according to their preference.

The users who receive a personalized app experience are more likely to book a table at restaurants comparing those who are not served effectively via businesses.

An app that can provide maximum options to the users for booking their table at their favorite restaurant will enhance user engagement and brand image.

♦ A Source Of Monetization

Developing a restaurant app like TheFork can provide you the option to earn money through various options such as advertising, in-app purchases, and many others.

You cannot run a business without money, right? Hence an app can provide a way to improve your finances.

App provides a wide money-making source that helps the users to connect and to you, it helps to earn a permanent revenue.

♦ Offers Brand Awareness

Developing a restaurant app offers brand awareness for your business in the market. It will help the users and target audiences to recognize you along with identifying the type of services that your business has to offer.

With apps, you can improve your connections with those of the users and even assist the users to recognize and recall the app.

This is further helpful to encompass brand recognition, and brand visibility with the help of its unique name, selling point, and logo.

♦ Helps in Customer Management in Restaurants

Your app will offer service not only to the customers to book their favorite table at the restaurant but also to the restaurants to manage the customers and reduce waiting time.

By creating a restaurant booking app like TheFork, you will offer a smooth functioning that may encourage people to make more reservations and check out for the restaurants.

With this management, you help the restaurants to have more reservations as well as streamline the procedure for the users to connect effectively.

♦ Ensures Customer Satisfaction

Creating a TheFork clone app will provide you the opportunity to build strong networks with the users. The app can offer effective customer satisfaction by helping restaurants to provide a customized service.

With apps, the restaurants can offer promotions as well as discounts which will help to create loyal users.

This can become one of the important reasons to be considered for building an app like TheFork.

These are some of the points to consider if you’re confused about developing an app like TheFork. Now, as you are ready to develop an app like TheFork, let’s learn how it works in the next section.

How Does a Restaurant App Like TheFork Work?

Before learning about how to create a restaurant app? One of the important questions that might bother you now, is how a restaurant app like TheFork works.

Here’s a series of steps to follow.

1] Login and Registration

One of the essential determinants here is log-in, thus, you should note that the users can be able to effectively sign in to adopt the service.

It needed to be simple and attractive and should be centered on the online ordering system. This might comprise all essential parameters that are important to deliver customized restaurant booking service.

2] Select the Favorite Restaurant

With the help of location, the app can be useful for the users to display the list of all the available restaurants near their location.

Thus, in this step, the users can select the restaurant where they prefer to dine in with their favorite seating arrangement. Here the users can find all the options and may select the appropriate one as per their convenience.

3] Select the Time and Date

Now, the users can select the preferred time as well as the date on which they want to book a seat at the restaurant.

This will be an effective pattern for moving ahead with the booking tables at the restaurants. Here the users can impressively fill in all the details to book the preferred table.

4] Book and Pay for the Service

Now, users can successfully book a seat at their favorite restaurant effectively. Additionally, restaurant booking apps like TheFork provide the service of paying an advance amount for booking seats.

The app provides a defined series of methods where the users can select the most appropriate pattern at their convenience.

5] Review the Service

After visiting the restaurant, you can review the service according to your consideration. Apps like TheFork have this service, where the users can fill in the details.

It is one of the crucial phenomena, where the users can successfully rate and share their experience with other customers and users. These reviews can help improve the restaurant service or the app.

These are some of the important working steps of a restaurant app that can be helpful in defining a path that might lead to creating a successful application.

Well, for developing an app like TheFork, you will be required a set of features for leading the industry.

Thus, the given section can be useful.

Features of TheFork App

Features will be useful for defining the functionality of the app and addressing the scope of the business.

The following set of restaurant app features can be helpful here.

► Login and Registration

Without adding log-in and registration to the system, you cannot ask the users to successfully use the restaurant app.

With the assistance of registration, you can get a large amount of data that can be useful to provide recommendations based on their preferences and selections.

► Order Scheduling

Order scheduling is one of the crucial determinants where the users can put all their details effectively. Here the users can schedule their orders by booking a seat at the restaurant.

This feature is directly linked to the payment system and helps you to connect the users successfully.

► Table Management

This feature is apt for the restaurants to successfully manage the orders and avoid chaos. It is even effective for them to avoid queues and manage their customers easily.

With this feature, the restaurants can evaluate the approximate number of orders and the effective amount to earn revenue. This is a specific feature where the users can get connected easily.

► Inventory Control

Restaurant booking apps like TheFork can be useful in assisting users to manage their resources successfully.

It will further help connect the restaurants with the warehouses and keep enough inventory by checking up on the bookings among the users.

► Social Media Integration

Another specific feature that you can count on is social media integration. Where the users will be allowed to connect with their friends and family to let them know about the bookings.

This feature can be useful for restaurants to promote their business. Here the users can find it important to connect with their friends even without switching over the apps.

► Payment Integration

Adding diversified payment methods is the key to improving the users’ connectivity over the platform and helping them to pay for the bookings wisely.

Here API integrity can be considered useful. An app like TheFork has this kind of feature where the users can connect over multiple payment methods and may become able to pay with convenience.

► Gamification

Gamification is the use of advanced technology in creating an app like TheFork. It comprises various features that might encourage the users to continue with the restaurant app.

Such as you can set various stages within the restaurant-booking app like TheFork. Under each stage you can provide a specific range of awards, this will set up the gamification feature.

► Chatbots

With the assistance of chatbots, apps like TheFork are willing to connect with users effectively. It is an important feature where the users can connect over the business and clear all their doubts related to the same.

This is an essential feature where the brands can use AI and reduce the cost of customer services. It may even impact the complete user experience.

► Customer Feedback Portal

It is important to add a feature of a customer feedback portal like TheFork, which is the simplest still most effective pattern of getting complete visibility within the insights to enhance the functionality of the app.

This feature is important for improving the complete performance of the app. Including customer feedback will be effective in allowing you to better understand their demands and then mold the app accordingly.

► POS System

A POS (Point Of Sale) system in an app can be defined as a time and place or even a point where the sale transaction is completed.

Within the restaurant point of sale system, you might include the POS hardware as well as hospitability point of sale software which is effective to manage the sales transactions.

► CRM and Reporting

With the assistance of CRM and reporting features, restaurant businesses can record the details of when a guest last visited the restaurant, how much money they like to spend, and what they have ordered or even have added to the cart.

These kinds of details help manage the users’ data and effectively recommend different types of restaurants based on their past restaurant bookings.

These were some of the features that should be considered for developing an app like TheFork.

Now, that we have learned about the features, let’s move ahead with the number of steps to undertake for developing a restaurant app like TheFork in the following section.

Steps To Develop A Restaurant App Like TheFork

How to develop a restaurant app like TheFork?

Here are a certain number of steps to create a restaurant app like TheFork.

Step 1: Market Analaysis

You cannot continue the process of app development without performing complete restaurant app research.

Here you should evaluate the present market conditions, identify the gap that exists in the marketplace, and then look for the target audience for your service.

This step is one of the crucial practices where you can identify the number of competitors and then how they are keeping up with their target audience.

Step 2: Recognize the Target Audience

The target audience should evaluate the target market and then evaluate their needs accordingly.

This is one of the crucial practices and steps in the development process of a restaurant app like TheFork.

You can make the user personas and may create the journey mapping based on the interest of the target audience.

Step 3: Select An Experienced Company

In this step, you can hire mobile app developers who can enhance the process of developing your dream restaurant app like TheFork.

To select an experienced company, all you need is to evaluate two important factors comprising of location and expertise of the developers.

This is a significant protocol as without a team of developers, you cannot proceed with the development step.

Step 4: Develop An MVP

Minimum valuable product (MVP) is all about creating a version of the app where you will include enough features to attract early adopters.

To develop an MVP, you need to select the features that can be included in the first place within an app.

This step will be effective in saving a huge amount of cost and protecting your overall budget from falling apart.

Step 5: Select the Features

If you haven’t selected the features in the first place, then it’s time to consider it. Well, while selecting the features, all you need is to figure out the core as well as the advanced features.

Under this step, you can figure out, which series of features are effective for your app along with the type of functionalities that should be required by the target users.

By selecting the number of features, you will define the type of restaurant business your app will serve in the competitive market.

Step 6: Design your App

It’s time to select the appropriate UI/UX app design which should be based on the business and brand’s theme as well as its logo.

You can create wireframes and prototypes for your restaurant app. This is a crucial step where the users will be able to boost the app’s performance by creating an impressive impression.

It is one of the essential parameters where you need to address the users’s needs and on the same hand, have to attract them to the app.

Step 7: Choose a Suitable Tech Stack

Under this step, it’s important to prioritize the type of features you want to build in the app. Well, the selection of the tech stack will depend on the scope of your app.

This step comprises selecting the suitable platform for your app launch. Here you can hire Android app developers or iOS app developers depending on the requirement.

Here you need to select the servers, database, APIs, and other real-time features based on the tech stack.

Step 8: Develop the Front-End and Back-End of the App

Without developing the front-end and back-end, you cannot think of creating a restaurant app like TheFork.

The front end is all about developing the design that the users visually see and experience. It comprises elements such as checkboxes, graphics, buttons as well as text messages.

On the other hand, the back end is all about selecting the type of database and developing an infrastructure that will make the application work, effectively.

Step 9: Restaurant App Testing

To build a restaurant app, it’s important to launch it with rigorous testing. The major purpose of this process is to ensure the best customer experience without any kind of actual bugs or errors.

Several types of app testing might be considered such as performance testing, functional testing, security, usability, and various others.

Mobile app testing will assist you in identifying the bugs and errors that may hamper the overall functionality and business image.

Step 10: Launch and Maintenance

Are you ready to launch your restaurant booking app in the market? Well, one of the important determinants here to remember is, that the app should be launched within a specific date.

This step will be effective in assisting the business to exist within the competitive environment. You should learn the importance of app maintenance for enhancing your brand position in the market.

You can opt for effective app maintenance services for successfully managing the after-launch procedure.

These were some of the essential steps to be undertaken for developing a restaurant app like TheFork.

Now, you should evaluate the type of technologies that can be implemented during the app development process. You can check for the key technologies in the following section.

Key Technologies for Developing a Restaurant App Like TheFork

After learning about how to create a restaurant booking app like TheFork, the next question can be- Is there a list of technologies that can be used for developing a restaurant app like TheFork?

Well, the following table can be helpful here.

The above table can help address the requirement-related tech stack for creating a restaurant app like TheFork.

Well, the next question that arises here is “What’s the cost of developing a restaurant app like TheFork?”

Cost to Develop a Restaurant App Like TheFork

How much does it cost to develop a restaurant app?

The average cost to create a restaurant app like TheFork can be from $15,000 to $150,000. This cost may further vary depending on different factors such as platform compatibility, complexity, tech stack, along app design.

Well, another component that might impact the development of a restaurant app like TheFork is time. Let’s check it in another section.

How Much Time Does it Take to Develop a Restaurant App Like TheFork?

How Much time does it take to develop a mobile app?

Let’s consider the table below for more information.

 Based on the above table, the approximate time required for developing a restaurant app like TheFork can vary from 9-15 months.

There can be a certain number of factors that might impact this duration such as the complexity of the features, design, testing timeline, and many others.

Till now, we discussed the concept of TheFork, its development process, the reasons behind building it, its features, and the important elements such as cost and time.

Well, are you wondering how to earn money from creating a restaurant app like TheFork?

The following section can be helpful in this scenario.

Monetization Strategies for Restaurant App Like TheFork

What are the top app monetization strategies to consider while developing an app like TheFork?

Here’s a list of certain strategies to focus on.

➤ App Advertising

In the case of the restaurant app, you need to have a regular money flow which will be helpful to keep your business running and in the competitive environment.

You might connect with multiple brands and can provide them a space over the app to advertise their products or services. This is the way to earn a permanent revenue source through creating a restaurant app like TheFork.

➤ Earn Commission On Every Order

You can earn a commission when the user book a table at the restaurant through your app. This commission-based revenue model refers to a portion of the restaurant booking that will be earned by your platform for connecting the users with the dine-in platform.

This model will be helpful for the restaurants to connect them with the broader customer base. Additionally, it helps them to save money by adopting diversified marketing strategies to reach the target users.

➤ Subscription Models

The Subscription models are very popular within restaurant booking apps like TheFork. Under this pattern, you can have different subscription patterns based on the market requirements.

Models in the restaurant apps comprise users paying a regular fee for accessing the premium features as well as benefits within the application.

➤ In-App Purchases

In-app purchases are a wonderful way to make money from the food delivery platform. This strategy will be useful and can ensure long-term success. With this strategy, you can ensure a consistent income flow.

This further can offer advantages such as exclusive discounts, as well as first-priority access to new foods or dishes.

➤ Crowdfunding

One of the particular monetization strategies is crowdfunding. It is an effective money-making process where you invite the public to fund the business. Here you can pitch the ideas, set funding goals as well, and offer rewards who can contribute to the project’s success.

Under this model, you may set funds, along with the amount set for the funding goal must be reached for all the money to be released by you.

These were some of the strategies that can be undertaken for earning money by developing a restaurant app like TheFork.

Well, when you start with a restaurant app development like TheFork, there can be a certain amount of challenges that you can come across.

Let’s check them out in the following section.

Challenges In Developing a Restaurant App Like TheFork

While creating a restaurant app like TheFork, you may come across certain challenges.

Here’s a list of mistakes to avoid while creating a restaurant app.

○ Underestimating the User Experience

One of the significant mistakes that you might commit is to avoid the user experience. App design is the foremost ideology that can impact the users’ perceptions related to the business.

This may further result in costly mistakes that can affect the whole reputation of the firm. Poor user experience can result in lost sales as well as poor revenue.

○ Lack Of Market Research

Lack of market analysis may affect the business scope and aim. There can be a possibility of not reaching the target market, without in-depth market research.

It can affect the overall budget you have invested in creating a restaurant app like TheFork. This might result in losing your business and a huge loss.

○ Avoiding App Security

Are you ignoring the mobile app security within creating a restaurant app like TheFork? Well, it can result in losing loyal users.

This may invite the cyberthreats and crimes to the app. Users input their data within the app only after identifying that it will not breach the data protection law. Thus, this mistake can bring misfortunes to your business.

○ Poor Testing

Avoiding app testing can maximize errors and bugs. This will even result in app crashes and further increase users’ churn rate.

With bugs and errors, the app cannot perform as per the user expectations which will impact their experience with the business.

○ Lack Of Technical Expertise

Is your selected team of developers skilled enough to address the rising technical glitches? Well, if not, then it can be one of the major issues in developing a restaurant app like TheFork.

Poor technical expertise will further result in major challenges related to complex data and even critical errors.

These were some of the major challenges that you should ignore while developing a restaurant-booking app like TheFork.

Are you still confused about how to develop a restaurant app like TheFork?

Why Choose Nimble AppGenie to Develop a Restaurant App Like TheFork?

Searching for an experienced team of developers?

Well, partner with Nimble AppGenie, our team knows how to convert your dream app into success.

We are the best Restaurant App Development Company focused on delivering services based on your project aim.

Our team of developers are experts in the given area and know well the pattern to address current technology barriers while creating an app.

Conclusion

To develop a restaurant app like TheFork, it’s important to learn about all the nuances of the same. You should develop a restaurant booking app like TheFork for various reasons such as growing market demands, enhancing user experience, and source of monetization, and it may offer brand awareness.

Furthermore, you can adopt various steps for developing a restaurant booking app like TheFork. These steps can include market research, identifying the target audience, selecting an experienced company, app design, developing a tech stack, testing, and launching of restaurant app.

If you are confused about resources such as time and cost, then these components can vary depending on elements such as the complexity of features, app design, and many others. Other than this, you shouldn’t ignore testing, security, and user experience. Connecting with an experienced company can help you here.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.