Rapido to Launch Food Delivery With Fixed Three-Tier Pricing Model

Rapido is gearing up to enter the food delivery space with a pilot launch of its new platform, ‘Ownly’, in mid-July in Bengaluru. In a strategic move to set itself apart from dominant players like Zomato and Swiggy, Rapido plans to implement a transparent, three-tier flat-rate delivery pricing structure, sources close to the company's discussions with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) revealed.

Tiered Pricing Based on Order Value

According to the rate card shared with restaurant partners (reviewed by a news agency):

• Orders above ₹400:

  • Delivery fee: ₹50

  • With 18% GST: ₹59

  • Paid entirely by the restaurant

• Orders between ₹100 and ₹400:

  • Delivery fee: ₹25

  • With GST: ₹29.50

  • Again, fully borne by the restaurant

• Orders below ₹100:

  • Customer pays ₹20 + GST = ₹23.60

  • Restaurant pays ₹10 + GST = ₹11.80

  • Total delivery fee collected: ₹35.40

No Platform Fees, Unlike Zomato and Swiggy

Unlike Zomato and Swiggy, Rapido has assured restaurants it will not impose a platform fee. Currently, both Zomato and Swiggy charge customers a platform fee of ₹10, which comes to ₹11.80 after GST — in addition to commissions and delivery fees.

Rapido’s Model Promises Greater Margin Clarity for Restaurants

Instead of the commission-based pricing used by its competitors — often ranging from 16% to 30% — Rapido’s flat-fee structure offers more predictable margins.

Example Comparisons

• On a ₹500 order:

  • Zomato/Swiggy: Restaurants may pay ₹80–₹150

  • Rapido: Fixed charge of ₹59

• On a ₹300 order:

  • Zomato/Swiggy: ₹48–₹90

  • Rapido: ₹29.50

• On a ₹150 order:

  • Zomato/Swiggy: ₹24–₹45

  • Rapido: ₹29.50

• On an ₹80 order:

  • Zomato/Swiggy: ₹12–₹24

  • Rapido: ₹35.40 (shared between user and restaurant)

This shows Rapido’s pricing edge is strongest in mid-to-high value orders, but may diminish for small-ticket orders.

Transparency and Pricing Parity a Key Promise

Industry insiders say the flat-rate delivery pricing model is designed to balance consumer affordability with sustainable margins for delivery operations. Additionally, Rapido is working to ensure pricing parity between online and offline restaurant menus, which could help it gain favor among both diners and eateries.

Bengaluru Pilot Launch Expected Soon

With a soft launch planned in Bengaluru in the coming weeks, Rapido is positioning itself as a new and potentially disruptive player in India’s highly competitive food delivery landscape.

Conclusion

Rapido’s entry into the food delivery market through its platform ‘Ownly’ represents a bold move aimed at disrupting a duopoly dominated by Zomato and Swiggy. By implementing a three-tier, flat-rate delivery pricing model, the company is attempting to provide greater clarity and fairness for restaurant partners, who often struggle with variable commissions and hidden platform charges.

The absence of platform fees and a commission-free model makes Rapido an appealing alternative, especially for medium and high-value orders. However, its approach may need refinement for low-value orders, where its fees could surpass competitors. With Bengaluru set as the launchpad, the success of this pilot will determine how effectively Rapido can scale and sustain its operations nationally.

If executed well, Rapido’s transparent and restaurant-friendly model may usher in a more balanced ecosystem in India’s food delivery space, giving both consumers and businesses more value and control.