How Much Revenue Does Food Delivery Really Generate for Major Players?

In a market projected to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2029, food and grocery delivery has moved beyond being a niche sector to become a core pillar of modern commerce. In this data-rich session, Vera Kozlova, Key Partners Manager at Playfood, explains what the figures really mean for launching and scaling a food delivery or Super App business.

In this webinar, she analyses global players such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Talabat, revealing what works, what can be scaled up and where the real revenue comes from.

02:52 – The Rise of Food & Grocery Delivery Apps

Mobile apps have transformed the way users interact with food and grocery services. According to Vera, all sub-genres in the food and drink app category will continue to grow, even in 2025. One key reason for this is convenience. Food and grocery apps remove friction and make daily routines more comfortable.

The demand for grocery delivery apps is increasing, as reflected in the number of downloads. If you’re considering expanding your services beyond restaurant food, this trend is a clear sign that it's time to take the plunge.

06:40 – Why Super Apps Win: Global User Trends & Motivation

Super Apps — platforms offering multiple services within one app — are gaining massive traction. One in three people worldwide already uses one. In markets such as the UK, the US, Germany and Australia, 72% of consumers are interested in Super Apps.

Convenience is the main reason for this popularity. Rather than switching between five apps, users prefer a single solution where they can order a taxi, lunch and groceries all in one place.

08:49 – Aggregators vs. Standalone Restaurant Apps

Examining global app usage, Vera highlighted one key finding: aggregators dominate. Even massive standalone restaurant apps like McDonald's or KFC are outperformed by apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Delivery Hero.

Why is that? Aggregators offer variety and centralised convenience. While fast food chains do bring traffic, food delivery marketplaces are more partners than competitors. In fact, collaborating with major chains can boost traffic to your Super App.

11:30 – Market Size, Revenue Projections & Grocery Boom

Using Statista.com and internal research, Vera shared projections showing that the food and grocery delivery market is set to reach $1.85 trillion by 2029 at an annual growth rate of 9%.

However, there is a twist: grocery delivery is growing faster than restaurant meal delivery. The shift in user behaviour towards digital shopping has made grocery apps highly profitable, not just viable.

14:46 – Regional Revenue Comparison: Mature vs. Emerging Markets

Revenue charts reveal a clear hierarchy. China, the US and Europe dominate the market in terms of delivery revenue. However, Vera pointed out an exciting opportunity: the Middle East and Africa are still developing, which means there is low competition and high potential.

If you're considering expansion, these emerging markets could provide a significant growth opportunity before major players dominate the space.

18:56 DoorDash Report

In 2023, DoorDash increased its revenue by 31%, despite only achieving a 15% growth in its user base. This proves that effective monetisation strategies can outperform user acquisition. Driven by smart expansion into underserved suburban areas and optimised services, their market share in the US rose to 67%, making them a dominant force despite tough competition.

22:41 Uber Eats Report

In 2023, Uber Eats saw an 11% increase in revenue, despite only a 3–5% rise in users. By Q3 2024, they had already matched last year's growth. This highlights that increasing order value and frequency per user, rather than just chasing new users, is key to profitability. In certain quarters, their food delivery business now contributes up to 70% of revenue compared to ride-hailing.

33:48 Bolt Report

Bolt continued to grow its food delivery business while improving efficiency. In 2024, it reduced its operational losses by 5.5%. Its region-specific super app strategy, which involves tailoring services based on local demand (e.g. ride-hailing in some areas and food delivery in others), has enabled it to remain competitive and profitable across Europe.

37:59 Talabat Report

Talabat's success story is notable: after adding grocery, pharmacy and other categories to its food delivery platform, the number of monthly orders per user increased from 3.8 to 13, while the average monthly spend per user rose from $54 to $221. With over 90% of transactions conducted in cash, Talabat has demonstrated that success can be achieved without a fully digital infrastructure.

42:17 Key Takeaways

1. The food and grocery delivery market is at its peak and is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years.

2. Integrating additional services into your existing on-demand platform enhances customer retention and loyalty, directly leading to higher cart totals and increased annual revenue, as reflected in brand reports.

3. The food delivery sector contributes between 20% and 60% of ride-hailing revenue, making it a high-value addition to mobility-based platforms.

4. Introducing grocery delivery as a third service within your Super App results in a 3X increase in order frequency and a 4X rise in monthly customer spending. 🚀

   
   
   
   

   This webinar proves one thing: the food and grocery delivery market is far from saturated. Growth is still surging, and super apps are the most profitable way to capitalise on this.

   
   

   If you're planning to enter or expand into the delivery market, now is the time to act with a data-driven strategy and the right software partner. Playfood is here to support you every step of the way.

   
   

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