Rohan Umak
Zomato platform fee hike: People dependent on food delivery platforms were dealt a severe blow on Friday, as the food delivering application Zomato raised its platform fee to Rs 14.90 per order, up from Rs 12.50. The latest revision was reflected on the Zomato app, marking another incremental hike as the company continues to adjust its pricing strategy amid rising operational costs.
Rivals refraining from hiking prices to dominate Zomato
Meanwhile, Zomato’s rival, Swiggy is currently charging a comparable fee of Rs 14.99 per order, inclusive of taxes, indicating a consistent pricing pattern between both the dominant players. In the meanwhile, Rapido has also stormed into the food delivery segment with the launch of its ‘Ownly’ service in Bengaluru, adding a fresh dimension to the competition. It is noteworthy that Rapido has not introduced any platform fee and charges only delivery fees, a move that could disrupt the existing pricing structures.
The third largest player in the segment, ‘Magicpin’, has refrained from raising its platform fee. Its current platform fee digits stand at Rs 14.20. Company’s CEO Anshoo Sharma said that the company aims to keep food delivery accessible while supporting restaurant partners during a challenging cost environment.
Zomato platform fee hike: Surge comes against backdrop of rising prices of crude oil
Notably, the fee hike comes against the backdrop of surging prices of crude oil, partly prompted by the geopolitical tensions in West Asia, leading to inflated delivery costs. For platforms like Zomato, higher fuel expenses directly impact logistics and last-mile delivery operations.
Zomato boasts 24.9 million customers per month
Still, Zomato’s food delivery business continues to expand, as the platform reports 24.9 million average monthly transacting customers. In the third quarters of FY2026, the segment recorded a 29% year-on-year- growth, climbing to Rs 2,676 crore. Parent entity Eternal posted an overall revenue of Rs 16,315 crore with a net profit of Rs 102 crore.
Shubh Laabh