The food and beverage landscape is transforming right before our very eyes. Gone are the days when restaurants would be at full capacity and teeming with happy customers digging into delicious food. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that image seem like a memory of the past and ushered in the new age of the industry – online food orders and delivery.
When the pandemic was in its infancy back in 2019, the number of people using food delivery apps in Singapore was 1.81 million. This is expected to surge to around 3.5 million by 2024. With food delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Foodpanda and GrabFood reaping the rewards from a significant increase in orders, more and more companies are throwing the dice and trying their hand at tapping into the growing market, which is projected to be worth US$467 million this year.
Who are the Major Players?
Currently, there are three big fish in the pond that is Singapore’s sector for food delivery platforms – Deliveroo, Foodpanda and GrabFood. Deliveroo and Foodpanda have established a strong foothold in other countries as well, while GrabFood is a local Singaporean company that has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top.
In addition to the trio of powerhouses, AirAsia Food, Lalamove, Why Q and Oddle have made their presence felt as well, and have captured a portion of the market.
| Rank | Service | Unique Selling Point |
| 1 | GrabFood | Widest variety of food |
| 2 | Deliveroo | Provides all you need to get started (signage, a tablet and a wireless printer etc) |
| 3 | Foodpanda | Robust and user-friendly website and mobile app |
| 4 | AirAsia Food | Caters to establishments of all sizes |
| 5 | Lalamove | ZERO commission required |
| 6 | Why Q | Accepts the largest range of payment methods (DBS Points, PayLah, Credit & Debit Cards) |
| 7 | Oddle | All-in-one online ordering system that streamlines all processes |
Choosing the Right Food Delivery Platform for You
With so many players in the food delivery space, working out which platform is best for your business can be perplexing. Should you opt for a bigger platform with an established customer base, or go for a smaller food delivery company that better suits your needs? All these questions and more will be answered below.
1. GrabFood
Let’s start by looking at the company that 77% of Singaporeans used in the first half of 2020 – GrabFood. Established in 2018, it quickly rose to prominence as one of the top food delivery platforms in the country, especially after integrating with the Grab-sharing ride app.
Whether you are a start-up restaurant or a well-known eatery, GrabFood is the place for you as they feature both types of establishments. Furthermore, they have a broad range of local and international cuisines, meaning flavours from all over the world are welcomed with open arms.
GrabFood also provides an easy and efficient payment method called GrabPay, while they deliver all over Singapore, making them a restaurant’s dream.
GrabFood delivery fee ranges from $3 to $5 dynamically and sometime it will surge too.
- Specification
- Availability: Widest variety of restaurants and cuisines of any food delivery app in Singapore
- Fees:
- around 30% commission on the order value (Subject to 7% GST)
- Free marketing for small F&B under ‘Local Heroes’
- 0% on cashless processing fees (excluding Grab Pay)
- Merchant Partner:
- Make an appointment at our Grab Merchant Centre or sign up online
- Download the Grab Merchant-partner app
- Start receiving orders in 3 to 10 working days
- Activation Fees: One-time fee will be charged per outlet
- Using your own Android device: $100/outlet
- Using Grab Order Device: $300/outlet
- Payment Methods: Grab Pay, Credit and Debit Cards
- Advantages
- Highest market share
- Linked to Grabpay
- Delivers island-wide 24/7
- Disadvantages
- Delivery fees will surge at times
2. Foodpanda
The first-ever delivery service in Singapore, Foodpanda has been around since 2012 and has already cemented its reputation as a leading platform in the country and around the world. One of their main incentives is directed towards entrepreneurs, whereby you put a copy of your menu online and they will help you manage the orders and deliver the food.
With all types of food available on their app and their top-quality delivery services, Foodpanda is a strong contender when considering which food delivery platform is best for your business.
- Specification
- Availability: Island-wide
- Commission Fee: 35% commission on total order value (subject to 7% GST)
- Becoming a Partner:
- Sign up online
- Foodpanda sends the contract
- Sign the contract
- GO LIVE on foodpanda
- Activation Fees: One-time $100 setup fee
- Payment Methods: Credit and Debit Cards
- Advantages
- Robust and user-friendly website and mobile app
- Helps manage orders
- Helps deliver the food
- Wide variety of food
3. Deliveroo
A global behemoth, Deliveroo is in its fifth year of operations and is already up and running in 11 countries. Every aspect of their business is perfect, and they have developed a reputation for their consistent service.
If you are a restaurant that caters to people with late-night cravings, then Deliveroo is the option for you as far as food delivery platforms are concerned. In addition to this, restaurants serving up delectable dishes from all over the world are well represented on their app.
- Specification
- Availability: Island-wide
- Commission Fee: No Information
- Becoming a Partner:
- Sign up: Partner with Deliveroo and tell us about your business
- Set up: Upload a menu and images of your food
- Sell: Start tracking orders in real-time via partner Hub
- Activation Fees: Up to $360 deducted over a period of 60 days.
- Payment Methods: Credit and Debit Cards
- Advantages
- The most reliable platform for night-time deliveries
- Provides extensive support
- Signage
- Wireless printer
- Tablet with 24 hr tablet support
- Flexible payment plan
- Provides a choice between using Deliveroo’s rider network or your own
- Helps with marketing your business by providing savings on photography and websites
- Hub insights and tools (Real-time Sales Tracking)
4. AirAsia Food
Entering the food delivery platform market only recently, AirAsia Food is trying to make a big splash as fast as possible. Whether you are a big restaurant with multiple chains, a hawker serving scrumptious street food or operating out of a home kitchen, AirAsia Food will deliver your delicacies to the people of Singapore.
- Specification
- Availability: Island-wide
- Commission Fee: 15% charged on every delivery
- Becoming a Partner: Sign up form
- Activation Fee: No set-up fee
- Advantages
- Caters to establishments of all sizes
- Lowest commission rate
5. Lalamove
Setting up its services in Singapore in 2014, Lalamove has a unique edge over many of the other food delivery platforms in the country. They deliver all over the country 24 hours a day as long as your restaurant is open. So, if you specialise in serving breakfast or cater to a more late-night crowd, your food will arrive on your customers’ doorsteps without fail.
- Specification
- Availability: Island-wide
- Commission Fee: ZERO
- Becoming a Partner: Sign up form
- Advantages
- Each delivery driver can take 20 orders at once
- Delivery route would be optimised so that each subsequent drop-off point will cost only marginally more
- Disadvantage
- Provides only delivery service
6. Why Q
Founded in 2017 by Rishabh Singhvi and Varun Saraf, WhyQ is a food delivery platform dedicated to delivering delicious, hot hawker food to your homes or offices. They tap into the needs of a buzzing crowded CBD audience. During lunchtime, sometimes it is impossible to get a seat and food, so why not use WhyQ and wait in the office for your food delivered. WhyQ charges a flat $1.50 SGD per order which is very competitive compared to established platforms like GrabFood, Deliveroo and Foodpanda.
- Specification
- Availability: Selected Areas
- Commission Fee: If hawkers are unable to pay commission, WhyQ will mark up food prices.
- Becoming a Partner: Sign up form
- Activation Fee: No set-up fee
- Payment Methods: DBS Points, PayLah, Credit & Debit Cards
- Advantages
- Accepts the widest range of payment methods
- Corporate catering
- Meal plan options
- Disadvantage
- Does not deliver island-wide
7. Oddle
Created by restaurateurs with a deep-rooted passion to shake up the industry, Oddle has one major vision – allowing eateries to grow and manage their businesses through an all-in-one online ordering system that streamlines all processes. Having really found its footing in Singapore, Oddle has expanded its operations globally as they are now located in over 10 countries with over 3,000 brands utilising its service. What makes Oddle the ideal delivery platform for food businesses in Singapore is the convenience they offer and their tried and tested method that has been a smashing success.
- Specification
- Availability: Island-wide
- Commission Fee: 10% commission for each successful transaction
- Becoming a Partner: Fill up the form here: https://oddle.me/contact-us and Oddle’s Business Development Team will reach out to you as soon as possible.
- Activation Fee: No set-up fee and upfront costs
- Payment Methods: Depends on the Restaurant
- Advantages
- All-in-one online ordering system that streamlines all processes
- Connects diners directly with restaurants
- Helps restaurants deliver food using Lalamove or Zeek
Which Food Delivery Platform Will You Choose?
With a clearer idea of the different selling points for each of the food delivery platforms in Singapore, you will be able to pinpoint which one is best for your business. Whether you choose a big player like GrabFood or opt for one with a more unique offering, such as Lalamove or Oddle, your success on any food delivery platform will come down to whipping up appetising food that really connects with your customers.
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