Zomato has increased what users are charged for the platform to Rs 14.90 per order (Rs 2.40 more before GST is added). They raised this fee once before in September 2025, and this is yet another added cost on the bill at a time when people are very aware of how much delivery is costing them.
Details of the fee increase and industry context
The 19.2% increase in the platform fee per order is before tax is calculated. Usually, competing companies copy each other’s prices for these types of charges, and right now Swiggy’s platform fee is roughly Rs and 14.99 per order, including tax.
This price adjustment is happening because the cost of crude oil and gasoline is going up, which makes the very final part of delivery (getting the food from the driver to your door) more expensive. When the basic costs for businesses are higher, delivery companies, restaurants, and the people delivering the food often pass those costs on to the customer, and this reduces how much profit everyone makes.
What this means for consumers and order economics
For people ordering food, this fee increase means each delivery will cost more, even if the prices on the restaurant’s menu and the delivery charge itself haven’t changed. These small increases for each order can really add up for those who order frequently, and over time can change what people think is a good deal and how likely they are to continue using the service.
Customers haven’t been happy about all these small charges being added to orders. Delivery services need to make money, but also keep customers, so obvious price increases like this can change how often people order, what kind of coupons they use, and how good their monthly or yearly subscription plans are.
Competitive pressures from new entrants in food delivery
The food delivery world is changing, and companies that also do ride-sharing are getting into it. Rapido has started “Ownly” in Bangalore and says they won’t charge customers or restaurants an extra platform fee in addition to the delivery fee; they’re presenting themselves as a cheaper option.
These new companies that won’t charge platform fees might make the more popular services reconsider their fees, how much they spend on advertising, or how they combine services into a subscription. The companies that have been around for longer might have to make their rewards programs even better, or temporarily pay for some of the costs themselves in order to keep their share of the market in important cities.
Implications for restaurants and delivery partners
Restaurants are being pressured from two sides: the price of ingredients and other supplies is going up, and the platform fees are also higher. These higher fees could lead to fewer orders or restaurants trying to work out new commission arrangements with the delivery companies, which could even change what’s on their online menus.
Delivery people are also affected by both higher gas prices and these inconsistent fee adjustments. Delivery companies might have to change how much they pay or what incentives they offer to make sure deliveries are fast and keep the delivery people working for them, especially in busy city centers where the last little bit of the delivery route is most sensitive to cost.
Market reaction and analyst perspectives on the move
After Zomato announced the fee, Eternal Ltd’s stock price went up a little, showing that investors have mixed feelings about the increased fees and what’s going on in the market in general. Experts have different opinions, with some saying to buy the stock to hold for t12 to 18 months but acknowledging that there are difficulties in the short term.
One financial firm said that the intense competition in food delivery and the world economy are causing uncertainty, but they are confident in the company’s broader collection of businesses, including their fast-delivery service. Another pointed out that if there are issues with the supply of LPG and similar things, restaurants could have less business and this would affect how much food is ordered on each platform.
Investors and the people running the company will be looking to see if raising the fee helps the company make more money, or if it causes competitors to respond and reduces those gains. For customers, restaurants, and delivery people, this change shows how the price of basic goods and new companies coming into the market affect how much digital food delivery costs.
As this industry changes, customers may decide to get a subscription, find a combined deal, or use a different service to lower the cost of each order. Delivery services will probably try different prices, discounts, and incentives for delivery people to find a balance between making a profit and continuing to grow in a very competitive market.
