To start a food delivery business, one of the important steps is to write a solid business plan that will guide you in the journey.
There are many different ways to set up a food delivery business, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the aggregator model, which is used by companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
This is the model where business owners partner with local restaurants and freelance delivery services and connect them with eaters through a digital platform. Here the business makes money from commissions from restaurants, customers, and delivery partners.
If this sounds like the kind of food delivery business you want to start, here’s how to write a business plan to get things rolling.
If you want to start a food delivery business like this, we’ll guide you on how you can write your business plan.
1. Executive Summary
The executive summary is the first section of your business plan, but it's often written last.
It offers a high-level overview of your business idea.
Here’s what to include:
Brief Overview of the Business
Describe the concept in a few sentences. Mention what your food delivery service is about and how will it function.
For instance, you might focus on delivering food from local restaurants to busy professionals and offer a faster and more eco-friendly service.
Vision and Mission Statements
Think about your long-term goals (vision) and day-to-day purpose (mission).
For example, your vision might be to become the top delivery platform in your city, while your mission could focus on providing quick, convenient, and sustainable food delivery.
Objectives
Lay out your top 3-5 business goals. Objectives might include revenue targets, market share, or customer satisfaction goals.
Be specific—use measurable terms like “increase customer base by 20% in the first year.”
2. Market Research and Analysis
A strong business plan is built on thorough research. You need to understand the market you’re entering and who you’ll be serving.
Industry Overview
Research the current state of the food delivery industry. Look up recent statistics, trends, and growth projections.
For example, note how the rise of remote work and the shift toward convenience has boosted demand for food delivery services.
Target Market
Define your target audience by demographics and behaviours. It could be young professionals, busy parents, or health-conscious individuals.
Understand what motivates their choices—speed, variety, or sustainability.
Competitive Analysis
Study your competitors, both local and national. Analyze how major players like Uber Eats operate and identify gaps that your service can fill.
Explain what makes your business unique. This could be faster delivery times, a niche focus like healthy meals, or better customer service.
3. Business Overview
This section outlines how your business will operate and make money.
In the aggregator model, you partner with restaurants and freelance drivers and earn a commission from every order.
Revenue Streams
Identify how you’ll generate income. For a food delivery business, this could include delivery fees, commissions from partner restaurants, or even subscription services for regular customers.
Pricing Strategy
Write your commission structure for your customers, delivery partners and your restaurant partners.
Value Proposition
State the value proposition for the customers, delivery partners and restaurant partners. It could be speedy delivery for eaters or flexible working hours for delivery partners.
4. Operations Plan
Your operations plan explains how you’ll get the food from the restaurant to the customer.
Logistics and Delivery Process
Describe how orders will be processed and dispatched.
Outline your plan for using freelance drivers to handle deliveries, and how you’ll manage peak times.
Technology and Platform
A user-friendly app or website is crucial. Explain the role of technology in your business.
Supplier Relationships
Since you’ll be working with local restaurants, build partnerships based on trust.
Mention how you will manage these relationships.
Regular check-ins, feedback systems, and fair commission agreements are essential for long-term collaboration.
5. Marketing and Sales Strategy
You need a market your business to get your it noticed and build a loyal customer base.
Branding
Define your brand identity. This includes your business name, logo, and overall look and feel.
Make sure your branding reflects your values and appeals to your target audience.
Customer Acquisition
Think about special offers, referral programs, and loyalty schemes.
Discounts for first-time users or free deliveries for a certain number of orders can help kickstart growth.
Marketing Channels
Identify the best ways to reach your target market.
Digital marketing—such as social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO)—will be the key to grabbing the attention of your target audiences.
You may also collaborate with food influencers or run targeted ads to build awareness.
6. Organizational Structure
A food delivery business relies on a strong team. Outline who will be responsible for what.
Team Structure
Define key roles in your organization.
You’ll likely need an operations manager the operations, a marketing director to handle promotions, and a tech lead to manage the platform.
Ownership Structure
Explain whether you’re a sole proprietor, part of a partnership, or running a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
This section shows investors how decisions are made and who is responsible for the business.
7. Financial Plan
This is where you outline the financial backbone of your business.
Investors will pay close attention here, so be thorough.
Startup Costs
List all the costs needed to launch your business.
This includes app development, marketing, salaries, and legal fees.
Don’t forget about office equipment like computer systems, and internet expenses.
Revenue Projections
Forecast how much money you expect to make in the first few years.
Use conservative estimates for revenue and factor in growth over time.
Funding Needs
If you’re seeking investment, clearly state how much you need and how it will be used.
For example, you might need funding for technology development or marketing campaigns. Mention how much you’ll need for each stage in the process and why.
Break-even Analysis
Calculate when you expect your business to break even—where your revenues cover your costs.
This is critical for understanding your path to profitability.
8. Risk Analysis and Contingency Plan
Every business faces risks. Investors and partners want to know how you’ll handle challenges.
Potential Risks
Identify key risks, such as competition, operational delays, or fluctuating customer demand.
Mitigation Strategies
Explain how you will manage these risks.
For example, you might plan to diversify your delivery partners, build contingency plans for peak times, or have insurance policies to protect against legal claims.
Conclusion
Writing a business plan for your food delivery business doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By following these steps, you’ll create a roadmap that sets you on a clear path in this journey.
Whether you’re seeking investors or creating a foundation for goals, a well-crafted business plan will be your guide.