March 20, 2026: As per the media reports, food delivery giant Zomato has increased its platform fee to ₹14.90 per order, up from ₹12.50, marking a 19.2% hike. The revised fee is now visible on the company’s app and reflects a broader trend of rising charges across India’s food delivery ecosystem.
Zomato’s Platform Fee Sees Steady Growth
This latest increase follows Zomato’s previous revision in September 2025, when it raised the fee from ₹10 to ₹12.50 per order. Since the introduction of platform fees in 2023, the charges have seen a significant jump—from just ₹2 initially to nearly ₹15 today.
The company has not issued an official statement regarding the latest hike.
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Why Are Food Delivery Platforms Increasing Fees?
The increase comes at a time when businesses across sectors are grappling with rising operational costs and global uncertainties, including the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has impacted supply chains and input costs.
Additionally, the restaurant industry is facing acute commercial LPG shortages, forcing many outlets to:
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Reduce menu offerings
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Shift to alternative fuel sources
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Temporarily shut operations
These pressures are indirectly affecting food delivery platforms, pushing them to optimize revenue streams.
Swiggy Follows a Similar Strategy
Zomato’s move aligns with rival Swiggy, which has also been steadily increasing its platform fee. Currently, Swiggy charges approximately ₹14.55 per order (inclusive of taxes).
Both companies are increasingly relying on platform fees as a key part of their monetisation strategy.
What Is a Platform Fee?
A platform fee is an additional charge levied by online delivery platforms to cover:
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Technology infrastructure
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App maintenance
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Customer support
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Logistics optimization
Since its introduction in 2023, the platform fee has evolved into a major revenue component for food delivery companies.
Impact on Consumers
With platform fees nearing ₹15 per order, customers may experience a gradual increase in overall food delivery costs. Combined with delivery charges and restaurant pricing, this could influence ordering frequency, especially among price-sensitive users.
Industry Outlook
As cost pressures persist and competition intensifies, platform fees are likely to remain a core revenue lever for food delivery players. Analysts suggest that further adjustments may occur depending on inflation trends, fuel costs, and regulatory developments.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.