Last Updated on May 27, 2025

Craving dumplings at midnight or bubble tea with zero effort? HungryPanda’s got your back—and your belly. But while you’re busy smashing those cravings, have you ever wondered how this global food delivery app, made just for Asian cuisine lovers, is raking in the cash? Spoiler alert: it’s not just from your $12 noodle fix. 

HungryPanda’s business model is a clever combo of delivery fees, restaurant partnerships, and some behind-the-scenes logistics wizardry. Tailored specifically for Chinese-speaking communities across the globe, it’s dominating a niche that giants like Uber Eats barely touch. 

In this breakdown, we’re spilling the soy sauce on exactly how HungryPanda makes its money, why it’s different from other delivery apps, and what makes it a rising force in the food tech world. Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or just nosey—we’ve got the juicy details. Let’s dig in.

What is HungryPanda?

HungryPanda isn’t just another food delivery app—it’s the app for Asian food lovers living abroad. Founded in 2017 by Eric Liu, a Chinese student in the UK who missed authentic takeout from home, HungryPanda was built to solve a delicious problem: how do you get real Chinese food when you’re thousands of miles from China?

What started in Nottingham has since grown into a global food-tech powerhouse. Today, HungryPanda operates in over 60 cities across 10 countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. According to company reports, it serves millions of users and partners with over 60,000 restaurants worldwide, with a laser focus on Chinese-speaking communities. Unlike apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash that cater to broad audiences, HungryPanda is all about niche—and that’s its secret sauce.

The app’s interface is tailored for Mandarin speakers, it supports payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay, and its curated restaurant listings ensure that users find exactly the kind of food they miss from home—be it hotpot, roast duck, or bubble tea. This culturally immersive approach sets HungryPanda apart from mainstream competitors who often miss the mark when it comes to authenticity.

In a food delivery market that’s expected to surpass $320 billion globally by 2029, HungryPanda’s focused model is carving out a flavorful slice of the pie. It’s not just delivering meals—it’s delivering comfort, nostalgia, and a taste of home to Asian communities around the world. And that’s what makes it so special.

Key Features That Set HungryPanda Apart

HungryPanda’s Core Revenue Streams

So, how does HungryPanda turn your sesame chicken cravings into serious coin? It’s not just about dropping off dinner—it’s about stacking revenue from multiple clever streams. Let’s break it down:

Delivery Fees

Let’s start with the most straightforward revenue source: delivery fees. Every time you hit that “order now” button on HungryPanda, the app usually adds a small delivery charge to your bill. This fee typically ranges from about $1.99 to $4.99, depending on factors like how far the restaurant is from your location, the time of day, or even current demand (hello, dinner rush!). While it might feel like just a tiny extra cost on your order, multiply that by millions of orders worldwide, and it’s a major money-maker for HungryPanda.

Delivery fees help cover the costs of getting your food from point A to point B—think drivers’ wages, fuel, and the tech needed to coordinate orders in real-time. But beyond cost recovery, this fee also generates steady, recurring revenue, which is especially important in the competitive food delivery space where profit margins are notoriously thin.

To put it in perspective, according to industry data, delivery fees accounted for nearly 30% of total revenue in the global food delivery market in 2023. HungryPanda benefits from this trend by focusing on a growing niche—Asian food lovers abroad—where users are often willing to pay a little extra for authentic flavors from back home. Plus, because HungryPanda’s user base is highly engaged, delivery fees add up quickly.

So next time you’re craving dumplings or hotpot, remember: that small fee helps keep your favorite dishes coming right to your door, and it’s a solid chunk of HungryPanda’s business model too.

Restaurant Commissions

If delivery fees are the appetizer, restaurant commissions are definitely the main course for HungryPanda’s revenue. Every time you place an order through the app, HungryPanda takes a percentage cut from the total bill paid to the restaurant. This commission usually falls between 15% and 25%, depending on the market and restaurant agreement.

Why do restaurants agree to this? Because HungryPanda brings them customers they might not reach otherwise. For many Asian restaurants in foreign markets, HungryPanda is a lifeline that connects them directly with Chinese-speaking and broader Asian communities hungry for authentic meals. This niche focus means restaurants get highly targeted customers, increasing the value of every order.

From HungryPanda’s perspective, this commission-based model creates a reliable and scalable revenue stream. The more users order, the more commission piles up. In fact, restaurant commissions make up the largest share of revenue for most food delivery platforms, and HungryPanda is no exception.

Consider this: the global food delivery market generated over $130 billion in gross merchandise volume (GMV) in 2023, with commissions accounting for a significant chunk. HungryPanda’s specialized focus helps it carve out a loyal user base that orders frequently, boosting overall commission income.

It’s a classic win-win: restaurants grow their customer base and sales, and HungryPanda earns its slice by providing a seamless platform and delivery infrastructure.

Also read: Details About Moonfood – Food Delivery App Script by Oyelabs

Premium Listings & Advertising

HungryPanda doesn’t just stop at charging fees and commissions—it also taps into advertising revenue by offering premium listings and promotional tools to restaurants. This means that if a restaurant wants to stand out in a crowded app feed, it can pay for higher placement, banner ads, or special promotional spots during high-traffic periods like the Lunar New Year or Moon Festival.

This pay-to-rank model works like Google Ads or Instagram sponsored posts, but for food. Restaurants with deeper pockets can boost their visibility, attracting more orders and outshining competitors. This is especially valuable for newer or smaller restaurants trying to gain traction or for popular spots during peak times.

By offering these marketing services, HungryPanda creates a new revenue layer without charging users extra. Instead, it monetizes the platform’s real estate, turning the app itself into a digital billboard.

With more than 60,000 restaurant partners globally, competition is fierce, so premium placement can significantly impact a restaurant’s sales. HungryPanda’s ability to tailor ads to specific cultural moments and user preferences makes this advertising more effective than generic campaigns, increasing ROI for restaurants.

Plus, advertising revenue tends to be high-margin since it doesn’t involve the physical costs of delivery or commissions. It’s a smart strategy that adds diversity and stability to HungryPanda’s business model.

Also read: Business Models for Food Delivery App like Uber Eats in 2025

Logistics & Fulfillment

HungryPanda isn’t just a middleman—it’s getting its hands dirty by managing delivery logistics in some markets. Owning or partnering with delivery fleets allows the company to control the customer experience from order to doorstep, which is critical for maintaining food quality and speed.

This logistical control is also a fresh revenue opportunity. Instead of relying solely on third-party couriers, HungryPanda can optimize routes, schedules, and delivery personnel to cut costs and increase efficiency. In some cities, the company offers white-label fulfillment services to restaurants that don’t have their own delivery teams, charging fees or taking a cut for these logistics solutions.

The rise of hyperlocal delivery means that managing logistics well can make or break a food app’s reputation. HungryPanda’s focus on Asian food, often requiring special handling (think hot soups or delicate dumplings), makes reliable delivery even more essential.

By investing in logistics, HungryPanda not only enhances user satisfaction but also taps into an additional revenue stream beyond commissions and fees. This is a trend mirrored by other food delivery giants, who increasingly see logistics as both a competitive edge and a profit center.

Managing fleets can be capital-intensive, but it pays off by improving margins, enabling faster delivery, and building brand loyalty—key ingredients for success in a crowded market.

Also read: Integrating AI Into Food Delivery – Innovations That Will Dominate 2025

Customer Service Fees

HungryPanda knows that sometimes, customers want a little extra—whether it’s faster delivery, special packaging, or handling dietary requests. That’s where customer service fees come in. These are optional add-ons that users can pay for to upgrade their experience.

For example, some users might opt for “priority delivery” to get their food faster, especially during peak times or special occasions. Others may pay for extra care in packaging, like insulated bags to keep dumplings hot or eco-friendly containers. There can also be fees for special requests such as allergen-friendly handling or gift wrapping.

Though these fees might seem small, they’re a clever way to increase average order value without pushing prices across the board. They offer a win-win: customers get the customization they want, and HungryPanda boosts revenue while covering additional costs.

In an era when personalization is king, these service fees align perfectly with customer expectations for convenience and premium care. Data shows that consumers increasingly value and pay for customized delivery experiences, especially in niche markets.

By offering these add-ons, HungryPanda not only enhances customer satisfaction but also diversifies its revenue streams—another smart move in a highly competitive space.

Growth Strategy & Market Positioning

HungryPanda isn’t just growing by chance—it’s got a sharp game plan that zeroes in on what big delivery apps often overlook. Let’s dive into how they’re expanding and owning their niche in the ultra-competitive food delivery world.

Focus on Underserved Ethnic Food Niches

While giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash try to be everything to everyone, HungryPanda bets big on a niche that’s often underserved: Asian communities craving authentic home-style meals. By focusing on Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines, HungryPanda taps into a loyal, growing customer base that mainstream apps sometimes neglect.

This hyper-focused approach means HungryPanda understands its audience’s unique tastes, language preferences, and payment habits. The company offers app interfaces in Mandarin and supports popular payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay—things that make ordering easier and more appealing for immigrant communities.

According to Statista, the Asian American population in the U.S. grew by 35% between 2010 and 2020, reaching nearly 24 million people. HungryPanda is positioned perfectly to serve this expanding market, making it a favorite go-to for authentic Asian cuisine that’s hard to find elsewhere on big apps.

By zeroing in on an underserved niche, HungryPanda creates a sense of community and trust, which keeps users coming back for more than just food—it’s a taste of home.

Expansion Through Funding Rounds (e.g., Series C Investments)

HungryPanda’s growth isn’t just organic—it’s fueled by smart, strategic funding rounds that keep the engines running full throttle. The company raised a massive $70 million in its Series C funding round in 2021, bringing its total funding to over $100 million. This capital injection turbocharged their expansion plans.

With these funds, HungryPanda has been able to invest in technology upgrades, marketing, and logistics infrastructure. More importantly, it’s enabled the company to break into new markets, including major U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as expand deeper into Europe and Australia.

Investors are attracted by HungryPanda’s niche model and rapid user growth, betting that it can outperform broad-spectrum delivery apps by specializing in ethnic cuisines. The fresh capital also helps HungryPanda fend off competition and build partnerships with more restaurants.

For startups, such funding rounds are crucial milestones—not just for scaling operations but for signaling market confidence. HungryPanda’s successful fundraising rounds show that investors see real potential in ethnic-focused food delivery, making it a company to watch.

Acquisition of Local Food Delivery Startups to Grow User Base

HungryPanda knows that growth isn’t just about attracting new users—it’s also about buying its way into new territories. The company has strategically acquired smaller, local food delivery startups to quickly gain market share and boost its user base.

For example, in 2020, HungryPanda acquired a few regional delivery platforms across the UK and Europe. Instead of starting from scratch in competitive markets, they inherited ready-made customer bases and restaurant partnerships. This tactic sped up expansion, slashed marketing costs, and helped HungryPanda avoid common pitfalls when entering new cities.

Acquisitions also give HungryPanda local insights and operational know-how, helping it adapt better to regional tastes and logistics challenges. This approach is smart because it combines HungryPanda’s strong tech and niche focus with local expertise.

In the cutthroat food delivery space, where customer loyalty can be fleeting, buying local players is a fast track to becoming the go-to app for Asian cuisine in new regions.

Also read: How to Attract Restaurant Partners to Your Food Delivery App

Hyperlocal Marketing to Immigrant Communities

HungryPanda’s marketing game is anything but generic. Instead of broad ads aimed at everyone, the company zeroes in on hyperlocal immigrant communities with tailored campaigns that resonate deeply. This means everything from sponsoring Lunar New Year events to partnering with local Asian grocery stores and cultural festivals.

By engaging with community influencers and leveraging social media platforms popular among younger Asian diaspora—think WeChat, TikTok, and Douyin—HungryPanda builds authentic connections. This grassroots approach creates real buzz and word-of-mouth promotion, which is gold in tight-knit communities.

Localizing marketing content in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, or Japanese further breaks down barriers and builds trust, making users feel seen and understood. This is more than advertising; it’s community building.

With immigrant populations projected to keep growing—by 2050, the U.S. immigrant population could reach nearly 90 million—HungryPanda’s hyperlocal, culturally aware marketing strategy ensures it stays top of mind where it counts the most.

Challenges in the Delivery Space

Food delivery is booming, but it’s no walk in the park—especially when you’re up against industry giants and dealing with complex cultural dynamics. HungryPanda’s journey shows just how tricky the delivery game can be. Let’s dig into the biggest hurdles they face.

Competing with Global Giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash

Going head-to-head with Uber Eats and DoorDash is like David vs. Goliath in the delivery world. These behemoths have massive marketing budgets, huge user bases, and an army of drivers. According to Statista, Uber Eats alone accounted for about 23% of the U.S. online food delivery market in 2023, while DoorDash dominated with nearly 56% market share.

HungryPanda’s niche focus gives it an edge in Asian food delivery, but competing on scale and speed is tough. Giants offer vast restaurant choices and deep discounts, making it tempting for customers to stick with what they know. HungryPanda has to fight for mindshare by offering authenticity, cultural relevance, and localized service—things the big players can overlook.

Logistics Overhead and Thin Margins

Running a delivery fleet or partnering with drivers isn’t cheap. Logistics is HungryPanda’s biggest operational challenge, with costs like driver pay, vehicle maintenance, fuel, and tech systems piling up fast. Plus, delivery apps notoriously operate on razor-thin margins, often less than 5% net profit.

Crunching the numbers, high delivery costs combined with competitive pricing mean HungryPanda must constantly optimize routes and operations to stay profitable. Investing in efficient logistics technology and fleet management is critical, but it requires capital and expertise.

Balancing quality, speed, and cost is a constant juggling act, especially when customers expect quick deliveries without extra fees. Any delay or mistake impacts brand reputation, making logistics a make-or-break factor.

Also read: The Best Marketing Tactics to Promote Your Food Delivery Platform

Language and Cultural Barriers in New Markets

Expanding into new countries means more than just launching an app—it requires deep cultural understanding. HungryPanda’s success depends on speaking users’ language—literally and figuratively. Many Asian immigrant communities prefer interfaces in Mandarin, Cantonese, or Korean, and payment options like WeChat Pay or Alipay, which mainstream apps often don’t support.

Failing to address these needs can alienate the very customers HungryPanda wants to serve. On the flip side, mastering these cultural nuances builds loyalty and trust. It also means customizing marketing, customer support, and restaurant partnerships to fit local tastes and traditions.

This cultural tailoring demands time, money, and local expertise, adding complexity and risk to every new market entry.

Why HungryPanda’s Model Works

HungryPanda isn’t just another food delivery app—it’s a cultural connector that gets its audience like no other. Here’s why its unique approach makes it a winning formula in a crowded market.

Deep Cultural Understanding of Its Audience

HungryPanda’s secret sauce? Truly knowing its audience inside out. Unlike mainstream apps that treat food delivery like a one-size-fits-all service, HungryPanda dives deep into the cultural nuances of Asian communities abroad. From offering menus in Mandarin and Cantonese to accepting popular local payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay, the app speaks the language—literally.

This deep cultural awareness isn’t just about convenience; it creates a sense of belonging and trust. For many immigrants, HungryPanda isn’t just delivering food—it’s delivering a slice of home. According to Pew Research, over 70% of Asian Americans use ethnic media and services that cater specifically to their cultural background, showing a strong preference for tailored experiences.

By meeting these specific needs, HungryPanda builds more than customers—it builds community.

Brand Loyalty Within Tight-Knit Communities

HungryPanda benefits from the natural, tight-knit nature of immigrant and ethnic communities. Word-of-mouth travels fast in these circles, and once trust is established, loyalty runs deep. Users often become repeat customers, valuing the app as their go-to for authentic meals.

This loyalty isn’t easy to buy—it’s earned through consistent quality, cultural respect, and excellent service. HungryPanda’s focus on local festivals, holidays, and community events strengthens these bonds even further, making the brand feel like part of the cultural fabric.

Studies show that niche brands targeting ethnic groups can achieve customer retention rates up to 20% higher than mainstream brands, giving HungryPanda a durable competitive edge.

Efficient Localization of Services

HungryPanda’s ability to efficiently localize its services is a key driver of its success. The app adapts to each market by customizing language, payment options, restaurant partnerships, and even marketing campaigns based on local preferences.

This hyperlocal approach means HungryPanda isn’t just copying global trends; it’s tailoring the entire user experience to fit specific cultural and regional needs. For example, supporting Lunar New Year promotions in Chinatown neighborhoods or collaborating with local Asian grocery stores makes the app feel relevant and relatable.

Localization reduces friction, enhances user satisfaction, and drives higher engagement. This strategic focus lets HungryPanda expand globally while still feeling personal and community-centered—a rare and winning combo in food delivery.

Also read: Launching a Food Delivery Business with Readymade App Script

Launch your Food Delivery App like HungryPanda with Oyelabs.

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With built-in revenue models like delivery fees, commissions, and subscriptions, monetization becomes effortless. Whether you’re targeting Asian cuisine lovers or a specific regional market, our HungryPanda-like clone is fully customizable to match your brand. Get complete source code ownership, expert technical support, and go live in just a week with Oyelabs—your trusted development partner.

Conclusion

HungryPanda’s business model brilliantly combines niche focus with tech-driven convenience, catering specifically to Asian food lovers worldwide. By offering a seamless app experience, multiple payment options, and strong partnerships with local restaurants, they’ve carved out a loyal customer base while maximizing revenue through commissions and delivery fees. Their approach shows how targeting a specific audience with tailored services can create lasting success in the competitive food delivery market. 

Ready to build your specialized delivery app and capture your target market? Partner with Oyelabs today for a fully customizable, ready-to-launch solution that gets you up and running fast!