Small Restaurants Are Cheering — Rapido’s Food Delivery Plan Could Crush Zomato and Swiggy
Published: June 10, 2025
After becoming a household name for its bike taxi service, Rapido’s Food Delivery platform is now stepping into India’s crowded but lucrative online food delivery space — and it’s not just dipping its toes. The company is launching with a strong promise: lower commissions for restaurants, more transparency, and a much-needed shakeup of the current system dominated by Zomato and Swiggy.
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While Zomato and Swiggy typically charge restaurants commissions between 16% and 30%, Rapido’s Food Delivery model will cap fees at a much more modest 8% to 15%. For small and independent restaurants — many of which have long voiced frustration over rising fees, hidden costs, and expensive promotions — this could be a game-changer.
In recent years, many small food businesses have struggled to stay afloat while relying on delivery platforms. High commissions often leave them with razor-thin margins, while access to customer data — critical for repeat business — is largely blocked by current platforms. Rapido’s model is designed to flip that script.
Partnering with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Rapido’s Food Delivery service says its offering will give restaurants more control, better margins, and access to the customer insights they need to grow.
“We’re working on a model that’s more economically fair,” said NRAI President Sagar Daryani. “One that allows restaurants to build real relationships with their customers — not just fulfill orders in the dark.”
Flat Fees, Clear Math
Rapido’s Food Delivery pricing structure is refreshingly straightforward: a flat fee of ₹25 for orders under ₹400, and ₹50 for anything above that. That keeps commission rates well below those of the competition, providing relief to restaurants that have been squeezed financially in the post-pandemic digital dining boom.
The Big Picture
Rapido’s expansion could signal a major shift in the Indian delivery economy. With a vast rider network already in place and a clear mission to support small businesses, the company is well-positioned to disrupt the current duopoly — if it can win over diners and restaurants alike.
It’s still early days, but for thousands of local restaurants across India, Rapido’s Food Delivery might just be the alternative they’ve been waiting for.
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