New Delhi: Rapido has entered the food delivery segment with the launch of its standalone application, Ownly, now operational in select Bengaluru localities, including Koramangala, HSR Layout, and BTM Layout. The move marks the company’s first step into a market dominated by established delivery aggregators.
The launch follows discussions between Rapido and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents over 50,000 eateries nationwide. NRAI has been seeking alternatives to existing platforms over concerns about high commission rates. Rapido’s proposed model eliminates commissions for partner restaurants, with eateries instead covering delivery charges for orders within a four-kilometre radius.
Under the agreed structure, orders valued at Rs 100 or less will carry a Rs 10 delivery charge for the restaurant, while customers will pay Rs 20. Orders priced above Rs 100 and below Rs 400 will incur a delivery charge of Rs 25, along with a flat GST, and orders above Rs 400 will be charged Rs 50 for delivery.
The zero-commission model shifts operational costs from the platform to restaurants and, in certain cases, to customers. Industry observers note that while the model may appeal to restaurants seeking lower operational costs, its long-term viability will depend on delivery efficiency, customer adoption, and cost management.
The rollout is currently limited to a pilot phase in select Bengaluru areas, aimed at assessing demand and operational feasibility. Depending on its performance, the model could be scaled to other locations.
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