How Much Does It Cost to Build a Food Ordering App Like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia?

Frankly, your restaurant is losing valuable customers every day. Why?…Because your restaurant doesn’t have an app, and now-a-days, every customer orders through an app and expects instant delivery. 

In Saudi Arabia, online food ordering is growing faster than ever, and data shows that mobile food orders in Saudi Arabia and the UAE increased by nearly 30% in the first half of 2025.

Hence, many restaurant owners who are targeting the KSA market are planning to develop their own app, that’s why, they want to get an idea about the total cost to develop a food ordering app like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia. This is because Hardee’s is one of the best food ordering apps in KSA, with over 1 million downloads.

So, on average, the food ordering app development cost starts at SAR 120,000 and can go above SAR 650,000. But there are many factors that impact the total app development budget. 

Therefore, hiring a reliable mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia can provide you with the most accurate estimate for your custom app development for food brand, with full transparency, no hidden costs. 

So, let’s first understand what makes Hardee’s stand out…

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What Makes Hardee’s Saudi Arabia App Unique from Others?

Hardee’s Saudi Arabia isn’t just another food ordering app or quick service restaurant app (QSR app). It’s different from others because, beyond just being an app, it offers its customers an easy, fast, and trusted experience that keeps them coming back.

App has scored a 4.0-star rating as well as 1M+ downloads, which is a clear sign of how much customers love this app, because this kind of engagement doesn’t happen by chance.

The platform handles high-volume orders without delays. This matters in the QSR market, where every second counts and where performance can directly influence overall QSR app development cost.

Hardee’s also focuses heavily on good UI/UX. The design is clean. The screens load fast. Customers can reorder their favourite food easily in just a few clicks. This way, app encourages customers to order again and again easily with no fuss and friction.

It also supports multi-branch operations. The app detects the nearest outlet and routes the order to the right kitchen instantly. For any chain restaurant, this setup increases multi-branch restaurant app cost, but the value it brings is huge.

The app also allows customers to track their orders in real-time, get some personalised deals based on their past orders and activities, and offers loyalty rewards…all this to enhance the user experience. These features are must-haves and the brand must consider investing in custom food ordering app development instead of choosing ready-made solutions.

In simple words, Hardee’s delivers speed, convenience, and reliability…qualities that come from building a strong digital ordering system for restaurants.

Now that you know what makes Hardee’s app stand out, let’s break down what it actually cost to develop a food ordering app like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia.

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How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Food Ordering App Like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia

The cost to develop a food ordering app like Hardee’s depends on how big and complex you want the platform to be, and most importantly, the mobile app development company you connect with. But if we look at the Saudi market, there is a clear range.

A basic food ordering app usually starts at the lower side. A full-scale Hardee’s-level app that has multi-branch support, advanced UI/UX, loyalty features, as well as custom backend, can be expensive to develop.

On average, the food ordering app development cost in Saudi Arabia, typically falls between SAR 120,000 to SAR 650,000+. Let’s have a look at a breakdown:

Estimated Cost to Develop a Food Ordering App Like Hardee’s (Saudi Arabia)

The cost to develop a food ordering app largely depends on the complexity of the backend, user experience (UX), the number of features you want and how complex they are, plus, whether the application is available on multiple devices or platforms, and integrations you want.

But working with a professional mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia helps you get accurate estimates built for the KSA market.

Cost of Key Features in a Hardee’s-Like Food Ordering App

The cost to develop a food ordering app like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia depends a lot on the features you choose. Some features are basic. Some are advanced. And each one adds to the total food ordering app development cost.

As per Techugo, a reliable on-demand food delivery app development company, here are the core features of food ordering app like Hardee’s with their cost so that you’ve a good understanding of what you may have to spend on:

Advanced features like real-time tracking, AI recommendations, and CRM connections increase the cost. These choices also influence your QSR app development cost and your custom food ordering app development budget.

Hidden Cost to Develop a Food Ordering App Like Hardee’s

Most people plan the main budget. But the real surprises usually come from the hidden costs. These extra expenses show up during scaling, updates, or integrations. And they matter a lot when you’re building a food ordering app like Hardee’s.

There are several additional expenses associated with developing a food delivery app, which you may not be aware of. Some of these include:

• Third-Party Integrations – Using third-party services such as payment processing, SMS notifications, mapping services, and connecting to delivery partner systems.  These services typically charge you with each transaction.
• Cloud Hosting & Storage – More orders. More images. More traffic. This means higher cloud costs over time. Many startups don’t factor in monthly scaling charges.
• Advanced Security Measures – Food apps store personal and payment data. So you’ll need extra firewalls, encryption, and compliance measures. These add to the cost.
• App Maintenance & Upgrades – Fixing bugs, updating new features, refining UI, and improving performance become ongoing expenses. Brands usually allocate 15–25% of the total development cost every year.
• High-Quality Testing – Testing for different devices, networks, and locations takes time. And wide-scale QA always adds cost to the project.
• Admin Panel Improvements – As your business grows, your admin needs new filters, reports, dashboards, and automation. These upgrades add additional development effort.
• Marketing & User Acquisition Tech – Push notifications, analytics tools, coupon systems, referral engines—these require setup and paid tools.

Once you’re aware of where the extra costs come from, the next step is to understand the core factors that influence food ordering app development cost.

Factors That Affect Food Ordering App Development Cost

Even if two apps look similar, their development budgets can be very different because there are several things that influence the final cost of building a food ordering app like Hardee’s. Here’s why.

1. The Features You Choose

Your app doesn’t need everything on day one. Start with essentials—login, menu, cart, and ordering. As your business grows, add advanced features. The more complex your ideas, the higher the food ordering app development cost. And that’s okay. You can scale slowly.

2. Design That Matches Your Brand

A smooth design makes customers feel at home. But unique layouts, custom animations, and brand-specific UI take more effort. This impacts the overall restaurant app development cost. Think of design as an investment in customer comfort.

3. Choosing the Right Technologies

Some restaurants want iOS and Android separate. Others prefer one codebase for both platforms. Each choice affects cost differently. Your development partner will guide you based on your budget and long-term goals.

4. Backend Systems & Integrations

Payments, SMS updates, delivery tracking, CRM, POS… these systems help your app run smoothly. But each one adds to your cost. No need to add everything at once—just what truly helps your customers.

5. Where Your Team Is Located

Developers in Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, or the US charge differently. A specialised mobile app development services company in Saudi Arabia may cost more, but they understand the local food market deeply. That insight can save you money later.

6. Testing for a Smooth Experience

Testing often feels invisible, but it protects your reputation. More features mean more testing time. That’s why QA becomes a small but essential part of your food ordering app development cost.

7. Long-Term Maintenance

Your app will require maintenance and monitoring for both security and availability after it goes live. As such, these costs will not be considered hidden; they will just be ongoing to keep your food delivery app operating efficiently and safely for your customer base.

Cost clarity is important, but so is time. The next question is simple…how long does it actually take to build an app like Hardee’s Saudi Arabia?

Timeline to Build a Food Ordering App Like Hardee’s

When restaurants plan a custom app, the first worry is always the same…how long will it take? It’s a fair concern. You don’t want delays, and you don’t want a slow process that affects your launch plans. So here’s the honest, simple picture.

Most food brands need 10–20 weeks to build a food ordering app like Hardee’s. The timeline shifts a little based on features, integrations, and how custom you want your user experience to be.

1. Discovery & Planning (1–2 weeks)

This stage clears confusion. You and the team decide what the app should do. It also gives a clearer view of the food ordering app development cost.

2. UI/UX Design (2–4 weeks)

Designers create clean, fast screens that match your brand. If you run a multi-branch restaurant app, this stage ensures your users never feel lost while ordering.

3. Development Phase (4–8 weeks)

This is where the real build happens. Menu, cart, checkout, delivery tracking—everything comes alive. Custom features or AI-based recommendations may stretch this phase slightly, but it’s worth it for better customer experience.

4. Backend & Integrations (3–5 weeks)

Your app needs a strong engine. This part includes database setup, payment gateways, POS systems, CRM integrations, and more. Chain restaurants often need extra care here.

5. Testing & Quality Assurance (2–3 weeks)

Testing is not optional, in fact, it protects your brand by removing bugs, improving performance, as well as it makes sure that your app works smoothly on any device, anywhere, and anytime.

6. Deployment & Launch (1 week)

Your app gets published on iOS and Android, and you get full assistance and support while launching, so that nothing feels overwhelming.

If you know these timelines, you can better plan your project, but if you know why a custom app is essential for your restaurant business, you can make the right decision, so let’s explore that.

Why Multi-Branch & Chain Restaurants Need Custom Apps & Why You Should Launch Yours

If you run a multi-branch restaurant or a growing food brand, you already know the pressure. More orders to manage. More customers expecting speed. More competition offering discounts and instant delivery. And in the middle of all these things, you want your system to work smoothly as well as reliably, without any issues. Right? …That’s exactly where a custom food ordering app helps.

A custom app gives you control. It lets you build the exact flow your customers prefer – faster ordering, clear menus, personalized offers, and real-time tracking. Generic platforms can’t do this, and that’s why many restaurant owners eventually outgrow them. For chain restaurants, the need becomes even stronger.

A ready-made system won’t understand your menu logic, your prep times, your branch-level operations, or your multi-branch restaurant app needs. But a custom food ordering app development approach adapts to your business instead of forcing you to adjust to the platform.

You also save money long-term. With your own app, you don’t pay commission on every order. You own the customer data. You control the loyalty system. And you build a direct relationship with people who already love your brand.

This is why more food brands in Saudi Arabia are exploring mobile app development for restaurants…because it supports growth, brings operational clarity, and boosts repeat orders without extra costs.

If you’ve been thinking about launching your own digital ordering system for restaurants, this is the moment. The market is growing fast. Customer expectations have changed. And a custom app helps you stay ahead, not just keep up.

1. No Commission Loss

Every order comes directly to you. No third-party cuts. No margins eaten away.

2. Faster Operations Across All Branches

A custom digital ordering system for restaurants syncs orders, kitchen workflows, and delivery updates in real time.

3. Better Customer Loyalty

You can run your own loyalty points, rewards, and targeted offers—without depending on any external platform.

4. Full Control Over Menu & Pricing

Update items, add branches, launch combos, or run quick campaigns anytime.

5. Personalized Customer Experience

Custom food ordering app development lets you add AI-based suggestions, past order reminders, and personalized deals.

6. Strong Brand Identity

Your app reflects your brand…not someone else’s design or layout.

7. Better Data, Better Decisions

You get insights on customer behaviour, peak hours, bestsellers, and branch performance.

8. Seamless Multi-Branch Management

A multi-branch restaurant app handles different menus, delivery zones, and timings without confusion.

Investing in a custom app for your multi-branch restaurant is more than just technology. It’s about keeping your customers happy, boosting loyalty, and staying ahead in a competitive market.

Now, let’s see why working with a specialised food delivery app development company can make this journey easier and more effective.

Why Partner With a Specialised Food Delivery App Development Company?

Ever felt frustrated seeing long lines at your restaurant while customers wish they could order from their phones? Many restaurant owners face this daily, but a smooth, reliable app can solve this, and building that app is not easy. 

That’s where a specialised food delivery app development company in Saudi Arabia comes and helps you, as 

• they’re experienced and have a good understanding of the market, 
• they know the latest tools and technologies, and 
• they can guide you through every step. 

Whether it’s custom food ordering app development or CRM integration for restaurant apps, an experienced restaurant mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia ensures your app works flawlessly across all devices.

Food ordering app development is exciting yet overwhelming if done without experts, because there’s a lot to manage, from designing a smooth multi-platform food ordering app to integrating backend systems and loyalty programs.

So, don’t wait, connect today with experts at Techugo, a leading on-demand mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia, developing apps since 2015, and has now become one of the most trusted providers of mobile app development services in Saudi Arabia. Across the years, we’ve delivered 1400+ mobile apps, 50+ AI solutions, and 30+ projects with the Government of India.

When you collaborate with us, you get full transparency in cost and timeline estimates, honest tips to better plan your budget, faster development, and full support even after deployment, and at the end, you provide a better experience to your customers. In short, it’s not just about building an app. It is about creating a tool that drives orders, loyalty, and growth for your restaurant business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What features increase the food ordering app development cost the most?

Real-time tracking, AI-based recommendations, loyalty programs, and advanced dashboards usually increase the food ordering app development cost. Multi-platform support and CRM integrations also add to the budget.

Q. How long does it take to build a custom food ordering app for restaurants in Saudi Arabia?

A basic version of custom food ordering app for restaurants in Saudi Arabia takes 3–4 months. A full custom food ordering app development project with all features and functionalities can take 5–8 months. Complex systems or restaurant chain app development usually need more time.

Q. Is it cheaper to build a multi-branch restaurant app or use third-party delivery platforms?

Using delivery platforms looks cheaper at first, but long-term costs are high because of commissions. A multi-branch restaurant app has higher upfront cost but saves money later. It also gives better control over customer data and loyalty.

Q. What factors affect the cost of QSR or restaurant app development in Saudi Arabia?

Features, design complexity, and backend work affect the restaurant chain app development cost. QSR brands need strong order management, which increases the QSR app development cost. Choosing the right mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia also impacts the budget of a restaurant chain app development.