What is a Branded Restaurant App and How Much Does It Cost in the UK?
Running a restaurant in the UK today feels very different from even a few years ago. It’s not just about food quality anymore, it’s about how customers order, how often they return, and how much of your revenue you actually get to keep. Many restaurant owners are starting to realise something uncomfortable: even when orders are flowing in, profits don’t always follow. That’s where the idea of a branded restaurant app starts to make sense.
Many restaurants are opting for their own independent direct ordering systems instead of using third party delivery service providers exclusively. This shift has helped restaurants improve their margins and, therefore, changed how restaurants have expanded.
What is a Branded Restaurant App?
A branded app for restaurants allows you to have an exclusive mobile ordering system that belongs only to you and not to other businesses that compete with you. Think of your app as your online “storefront”.
- Customers order directly from you
- Your branding stays front and centre
- You own the customer relationship
Most of these apps are built using a white label restaurant ordering app model. That means the core technology already exists, but it’s customised with your branding, menu, and workflows. In simple terms, it’s a mobile application for restaurant operations that gives you control, something many restaurants have been missing.
Why This Shift is Happening in the UK
The UK food delivery market is no longer “emerging”; it’s already massive and still growing. The UK food delivery sector has increased by a staggering £7.6 billion in 2019 to approximately £14.3 billion by 2025, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Report on the UK takeaway food supply chain. This demonstrates how rapidly consumer behaviours are evolving.
In parallel to all of this, there have been record numbers of businesses operating takeaway shops and fast food restaurants, with over 49,000 across the UK alone, making it increasingly difficult for your restaurant to attract customers’ attention. And here’s the key part most restaurant owners feel daily:
- High commission fees
- The lack of ownership of customer data
- The increased reliance on third-party platforms
That combination is exactly why more businesses are investing in a branded restaurant app.
How a Branded Restaurant App Works (In Real Life)
From a customer’s perspective, it’s simple:
- Download the app
- Browse your menu
- Place an order
- Pay instantly
Behind the scenes, it’s much more powerful. A modern mobile application for restaurant management allows you to:
- Track orders in real time
- Run promotions and loyalty campaigns
- Access customer insights
- Manage multiple locations
Platforms like Grub Direct bring all of this into one system, so restaurants don’t need to piece together different tools.
The Real Cost: How Much Does a Restaurant App Cost in the UK?
Let’s address the big question, restaurant app cost.
Traditional Development (What Most People Assume)
- £10,000 to £50,000+ upfront
- Ongoing maintenance costs
- Separate integrations
This is why many restaurants never considered building an app before.
Modern Approach: White Label Solutions
With a white label restaurant ordering app, the model is completely different:
- Low or no upfront cost
- Monthly subscription
- Built in features (ordering, payments, marketing)
This has made a mobile application for restaurant businesses accessible, even for independent takeaways. And when you compare it to commission fees, the maths becomes very clear.
Why Restaurants Are Moving Away from Third-Party Platforms
Here’s the reality, many owners don’t calculate properly. If a platform takes up to 30% commission:
- £25 order = ~£7.50 lost
- 40 orders/day = £300 lost daily
- Monthly = £9,000+ gone
Now, combine that with the fact that most of the people in Britain order food delivery at least once a week. A branded restaurant app allows you to convert those repeat customers into direct orders instead.
Real-Life Case Study (UK Restaurant Perspective)
A multi location, high volume takeaway in Greater London decided to move away from third-party delivery services for part of the volume they serve.
What they did:
- Launched a white label restaurant ordering app
- Promoted it with:
- 10% discount on first order
- Loyalty rewards
- Encouraged repeat customers to switch
Results after 3 months:
- 35% of orders moved to their own app
- Saved approximately £2,000–£3,500 per month in commission
- Increased repeat orders significantly
What changed:
- Better customer retention
- Direct communication via push notifications
- Higher profit margins per order
This is a pattern seen across many UK restaurants adopting systems like those offered by Grub Direct.
Where Restaurants Go Wrong (And Why They Struggle)
Let’s be honest, having a mobile application for restaurant use doesn’t guarantee success.
Common Mistakes
- Launching an app but not promoting it
- Offering no incentive to download
- Still prioritising third-party platforms
- Ignoring customer data
Why Businesses Fail (Clear Breakdown)
| Problem | What Happens |
| Over-reliance on delivery apps | Profit margins shrink |
| No brand identity | Customers forget you |
| Poor marketing | Low app adoption |
| No retention strategy | One-time customers only |
A Practical Take
A lot of restaurant owners believe, “If the food is good, people will come back.” That used to work.
Now? Customers go where it’s easiest and often where they get rewarded. A branded restaurant app helps you compete on both.
Is a Branded App Worth It in Today’s Market?
Short answer: yes, if used properly. The UK market is only getting bigger. According to Grand View Research’s UK delivery market outlook, the UK online food delivery sector generated over £23 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow steadily through 2030. That growth means:
- More competition
- Higher platform dependency
- Greater need for direct customer ownership
A white label restaurant ordering app gives you a way to stay competitive without losing margin.
Conclusion
A branded restaurant app is no longer just a “nice to have”. It’s quickly becoming part of how modern restaurants operate in the UK. The biggest advantage of having your own app is control over your revenue, owns your customer relationship, and gives you a system to use for long-term growth. Having your own app with the ability to communicate directly with your customers through your own platform allows you to capture and retain more of what you earn.
Still paying high commissions? It adds up fast. Switching to a branded restaurant app will help you keep more of every order, starting sooner than you think. Book a demo with Grub Direct.
FAQS
1. How do I get customers to download my restaurant app?
Incentives are the simplest way to encourage people to download your restaurant app. This can include discounts and loyalty points.
2. What is the average restaurant app cost in the UK?
The restaurant app cost varies. Custom apps can cost £10,000+, while subscription-based white label solutions are much more affordable.
3. Does Grub Direct provide a restaurant app?
Yes, Grub Direct offers a branded restaurant app with features like online ordering, loyalty rewards, and a central dashboard, helping UK restaurants take more direct orders and reduce commission costs.
4. Do customers actually use restaurant apps?
Yes. Customers tend to use restaurant apps if they are provided with discounts and loyalty points.
5. How long does it take to launch a restaurant specific mobile application?
With modern platforms, a mobile application for restaurant businesses can be launched within days or weeks.
Authored and Validated by: Arjun Kharel, Restaurant Growth Expert
