Zomato has raised its per-order platform fee to ₹14.90 nationwide, a move that marginally increases the cost of online food delivery for consumers as the company seeks to bolster revenues and manage rising operating expenses amid intense competition.
Fee raised by ₹2.40 from previous level
The revised platform fee represents an increase of ₹2.40 from the earlier charge of roughly ₹12.50 per order. This fixed fee is applied to each order in addition to delivery charges, restaurant prices and applicable GST. While the increment may seem small on an individual order, it adds to the overall bill and can be significant for frequent users.
Part of a broader push for profitability
Zomato introduced a nominal platform fee in 2023 and has gradually increased it in phases since then as part of a wider monetisation strategy. Company statements and industry observers say incremental fee adjustments help offset rising costs in logistics, delivery operations, technology infrastructure and customer support.
Food delivery firms typically operate on thin margins, so pricing levers such as platform fees are increasingly important to improve unit economics and advance a transition from growth-at-all-costs to sustainable profitability.
Likely impact on customer behaviour
Analysts expect the fee increase to influence ordering patterns, particularly among price-sensitive customers. With other add-ons — delivery fees, packaging charges and taxes — already contributing to the total payable amount, even modest increases can prompt consumers to order less frequently or to wait for discounts and promotions.
Reflects an industry-wide shift
Zomato’s move mirrors a broader trend in India’s food delivery sector, where competitors such as Swiggy have also trialled or implemented similar charges while rebalancing strategies toward long-term financial stability. As the market matures, users should expect further pricing adjustments as platforms prioritise sustainable growth over aggressive market share expansion.
